Incoming US presidents often face significant financial headwinds. Barack Obama is facing a force-five hurricane. The world economy has swiftly transitioned from a position of reckless financial risk-taking to a situation that may be even worse – no financial risk-taking. To add to these difficulties, the emerging challenge is deflation. By David Smick.

Orange Mobile’s boss Olaf Swantee explains how mobile banking solutions pioneered in Africa may be relaunched in mature markets. Interview by Lara Williams.

Despite being the leading player in one of the world’s largest markets, State Bank of India lags a long way behind the top global names. The bank’s chairman, O P Bhatt, discusses its strategy and direction. Interview by Stephen Timewell.

Pressure to cut IT costs and improve efficiency will result in yet another push towards outsourcing and offshoring. Michelle Price speaks with Daniel Marovitz, head of product management and chief operating officer, technology and MIS, global corporate finance, Deutsche Bank, about the bank’s outsourcing strategy.

As smaller tech companies flounder due to a lack of funds, mergers and acquisitions with larger firms are only natural. Merrill Lynch’s technology investment banking team reflects on its advisory role in a flurry of recent deals. Writer Kathryn Tully.

Not for the first time in recent months, the beleaguered hedge fund community was under the spotlight in November, as industry luminary George Soros issued a dire warning that the sector “will be decimated” by a 50% to 75% decline in assets under management.

As world leaders meet to discuss the future of capitalism, banks need to find new ways of financing trade.

It is a moot point whether the leaders of the Global 20 (G20) industrialised nations achieved anything tangible, beyond increasing their carbon footprint, in Washington last month.

Infrastructure should be the cornerstone of Africa’s development partnership, according to the prime minister of Kenya. By The Rt Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga.

In response to rising inflation, Guatemala has adjusted its interest rates eight times in the past two years, and is working carefully to co-ordinate its monetary and fiscal policies, explains the president of Banco de Guatemala. Writer John Rumsey.

The Guatemalan economy has big potential, particularly in fuel and food production. The country’s minister of finance talks about his fiscal reform programme and intent to create a sustainable tax base. Writer John Rumsey.