The state-owned Instituto de Crédito Oficial has risen to prominence as Spain's most promising credit provider. However, the country's government must ensure careful lending practices are followed so as not to overstretch the resource. Writer Rodrigo Amaral
Latest articles from Team of the Month
Standard Bank benefits from its Chinese partnership
July 7, 2009The chief executive of South Africa's Standard Bank, Jacko Maree, talks about his international aspirations and how he is taking advantage of the relationship with Chinese state-owned banking giant ICBC to expand Standard Bank's global presence. Writer Charlie Corbett in Cape Town
Battered and bruised but ready to move forward
May 5, 2009BTA Bank has been at the centre of a financial storm involving a state bail-out, Kazakhstan's real estate crash and rotating central bank governors. However the tools to stabilise the situation now appear to be in place. Writer Philip Alexander
A steady hand in a time of crisis
April 7, 2008CEO of Halyk Bank and former governor of Kazakhstan’s central bank, Grigori Marchenko tells Karina Robinson why the Federal Reserve got it wrong.
BMCE Group bridges out
December 1, 2007The success of Morocco’s BMCE Group could become a beacon for other African countries that are beginning to see growth and stability. Neil Sen reports.
The world’s most desirable player?
September 4, 2006What Standard Chartered lacks in raw size, it more than makes up for in terms of emerging markets presence and knowledge as well as exemplary management policies, making it a prime takeover target.
Making waves
August 7, 2006For Barclays to succeed in the new South Africa, it must strengthen newly acquired Absa's efficiency and then both must learn how to tap the country’s burgeoning black middle class. Meanwhile, their efforts are shaking up a heavily concentrated banking sector.
BNG moves into new pastures
April 4, 2005Growing funding needs led Bank Nederlandse Gemeenten to shift its focus from the retail to the institutional market. Edward Russell-Walling reports on this and the bank’s strategic benchmark programme.
One hit wonder
March 7, 2005As the bidding war rages for the London Stock Exchange, Geraldine Lambe looks at how the 200-year-old-institution lost its lead in the European charts.
HSBC's killer move
October 6, 2003HSBC chairman Sir John Bond talks to Karina Robinson about the transformational impact of the bank’s acquisition of Household International.