When looking for models to emulate, banks are better off picking Apple rather than Google – Apple, after all, has branches.
Latest articles from Analysis & Opinion
A solution to the debt problem? A licence to print money
October 3, 2011As developed economies throughout the world continue to struggle with spiraling debt problems, it is time the rethink the model of money creation.
UBS pulls off niobium deal for Chinese consortium
October 3, 2011When Chinese investors sought to secure a supply of niobium metal, UBS had the unique challenge of coordinating five state-owned enterprises to a punishing timetable, all the while taking on board the differing needs of each enterprise.
Nigeria's Okonjo-Iweala vows to reform country's economy
October 3, 2011Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s recent appointment as Nigeria’s economic tsar has led to high expectations that the country can finally start to fulfil its vast potential. But, despite her intellect, boundless energy and standing among investors, the task is a daunting one.
Oil minister plans to show the world Iraq's potential
October 3, 2011The Iraq government’s plans to increase oil exports from 2.2 million barrels per day to 4 million opens up a wealth of investment opportunities. Oil minister Abdul Karim al-Luaibi tells Courtney Fingar what this could mean for the conflict-torn country.
Can Nigeria's new government lead it to prosperity?
October 3, 2011Nobody knows how many billions of dollars have been squandered by Nigerian officials since the country’s independence in 1960. By even the most conservative estimates, however, the scale of graft and bad governance has been staggering, meaning that Nigeria is still far from fulfilling its great economic potential.
Zimbabwe's finance minister knuckles down to an unenviable task
September 1, 2011Finance minister Tendai Biti has helped turn around Zimbabwe’s economy since taking office in 2009. But he faces a tough task trying to lure foreign investors to a country whose politics are still so messy.
HSBC and SABB pull off landmark sharia-compliant deal in Indonesia
September 1, 2011It has taken nearly two years, but Indonesian mobile telecoms operator Axis has secured $1.2bn of sharia-compliant financing. For many of the players involved, it was their first dealing with sharia principles, presenting HSBC and its Saudi affiliate with a complex task.
Frugal Estonia's digital route to recovery
September 1, 2011Estonian prime minister Andrus Ansip talks to Hugh O'Shaughnessy about the country's e-revolution, the power of its ID card, and the decision to reduce taxes for business and private citizens.
An open letter to the minister of finance of Ruritania
September 1, 2011Pathological procrastination by sovereign debtors in acknowledging the severity of their problem and commencing the necessary workout process can make the ultimate resolution of the crisis far more costly for all concerned.