The software behemoth’s purchase of core banking systems provider i-flex is a vote of confidence in a fast-growing sector.

Investors should not ignore the fact that Japan’s economic recovery is finely balanced, with high oil prices and a shrinking population among the problems that must be addressed sooner or later.

Bold deals, such as Royal Bank of Scotland’s 5% stake in Bank of China, show that the sector’s entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well – and that flare is often needed to overcome shareholder timidity.

The Banker is famous for going to the parts of the world that other magazines don’t reach and at awards time we really excel ourselves. This year, we notched up another five countries to receive our famous Bracken awards, taking the total to 138.

Swingeing change is likely at Morgan Stanley under its new chairman and CEO John Mack as he attempts to integrate the cultures of its many parts. 

Ukraine and Russia will be in the EU within the next 15 years, argue Peter Schwartz and Chris Coldewey, with Ukraine in pole position.

In The Banker’s Top 1000 listing in July, Bank of China’s Tier 1 capital was overstated.

Holland’s Rabobank has acquired a 36.5% stake in Sekerbank for $90m, as European banks continue to snap up shares in Turkish banks ahead of the country’s membership talks with the EU in October.

Gulf banks have continued to increase profits, reporting record profit growth in excess of 50% for the first half of 2005.

The argentine authorities are introducing capital controls on speculative inflows even though Chile abolished its controls in 2001 amid controversy over their effect.