A regulatory backlash is almost certain to follow the current trail of bail-outs and mortgage guarantees. Banks must ensure they have a say in any reform process or face the burden of further legislation.

It is not yet time to abolish ALMPs – activation policies can make a difference, say Rafael Lalive, Jan van Ours and Josef Zwimuller.

Banks must resist calls for quick change to tackle the subprime crisis. But they must also not retreat into their shells. Concerted action and a willingness to continue to take risks is the way forward, says John Varley.

China Construction Bank is the third largest bank in China and the 14th largest in the world. Stephen Timewell talks to chairman Guo Shuqing about his overseas ambitions and strategy.

European Central Bank governor Jean-Claude Trichet talks to Brian Caplen in Davos about the present crisis, the dangers of opacity and what Europe and the US have in common.

Critics within his coalition government and the media are rounding on Austria’s ‘ineffectual’ chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer but, he tells Karina Robinson, those who write him off may be in for a surprise.

A recent encounter with a business banker proved that, as far as financial services are concerned, the days of human relationships and judgement calls are over. The computerised process is king. By Chris Skinner.

So-called ‘frontier markets’ hold no fears for some investors. Edward Russell-Walling reports on how broker-cum-investment bank Exotix went digging for profits in the zinc mines of Yemen.

Yunus is creating another new financial model to include the poor in global capitalism – and still more models are needed.

Jumpy governments should not be allowed to tinker with economic policies at times of crisis without a review of the potential effects.