As banks seek growth in segments of the world’s population among whom penetration is low, Kris Gopalakrishnan explains how technology can help them achieve a return on their investments.

Recent turmoil shows the internal risk models of many banks are inadequate, underestimating the degree of risk exposure. The Basel Committee must therefore conduct further study before allowing banks to use the internal ratings based (IRB) approach for calculating regulatory capital, says Harald Benink.

Regulators should worry about incentives, liquidity and the perverse impact of past regulations, and seriously re-examine their approach in the light of the incoming evidence of culpability for the credit crisis, says Raghuram G Rajan.

The issue of transparency is pivotal to the present financial crisis, writes Jacques de Larosière. He shares his thoughts on the source of the crisis and what action needs to be taken to restore investor confidence.

Regulators and governments must not make the mistake of responding in haste to recent crises, such as German bank failures, the Northern Rock debacle and liquidity problems, advises Howard Davies.

Leumi Bank now leads Israel’s booming banking sector, despite the government’s protracted struggle to sell its controlling stake. David Lipkin reports from Tel Aviv.

Jane Monahan talks to Barney Frank, chairman of the US Financial Services Committee, about its plans.

Bolivia’s finance minister Luis Alberto Arce outlines a programme of state loans to small enterprises and attacks the country’s domestic banks for acting like a syndicate, stifling competition.

The three-way acquisition of ABN AMRO by RBS, Santander and Fortis proved a remarkable collaborative effort, as Fortis CEO Jean-Paul Votron tells Geraldine Lambe.

After Barclays failed to gain control of ABN AMRO, president Bob Diamond focuses on the positive elements of the bank’s position. Interview by Brian Caplen.