Banks do not like talking about liquidity risk because it kills confidence and, historically, they have not been rewarded for candour on this particular topic. But events typified by the Northern Rock debacle show this attitude must radically change, say David Vander and Bill Cuthbert, co-founders of Liquidatum.

Christian Stracke outlines five key areas where CDO ratings methodology – and structured finance ratings more generally – need to be improved in order to help restore confidence in the structured finance space.

While the rest of the market reels from the subprime-sparked credit crunch, some specialist hedge funds which speculated on a downturn are reaping hefty returns. Silvia Pavoni looks at how they did it and where they will look next.

Bill Rhodes, chairman of Citibank and winner of The Banker’s Lifetime Achievement Award talks to Stephen Timewell about his 50-year career, offering insights on the Latin American debt crises of the 1980s through the end of communism and expansion eastwards, to the present day rise of protectionism.

In this extract from his latest book, former World Bank chief economist Joe Stiglitz argues that a trade regime based on the principle of universal reciprocity regardless of circumstances does little to help developing countries.

Office space design has changed little in the past 100 years, despite the invention of the internet and radical changes in communications. But now virtual reality is offering an alternative to the physical work environment, writes >Dan Barnes.

As much as products and services are standardised, customers in different locations do not bank the same way. Joseph DiVanna explains the 10 regional attitudes to retail banking.

Africa is a real banking market with real potential and there is nothing philanthropic about Barclays’ activities there, writes John Varley. He outlines particular areas that his banking group is committed to developing and region-specific issues that must be addressed.

Donald Kaberuka, president of African Development Bank, admits that it is folly to expect rich countries to honour their financial commitments to Africa and that investment must be courted if the continent is to move forwards. Interview by James Eedes.

An initiative that will allow cross-border investment between two of the biggest bourses in Latin America may be the first step in a greater stock market integration that will give medium-sized companies in the region access to much-needed capital. Jane Monahan reports.