With the economic environment still uncertain and markets often volatile, last year's deals demanded every ounce of tenacity and expertise available at corporates' relationship banks. The Banker's Deals of the Year are testament to those qualities.

Active in 23 countries, the UK’s Tullow Oil is now targeting the African market, a policy which took a huge leap  forward in January with its $1.5bn purchase of Heritage Oil’s Ugandan assets, the funds for which were raised by an accelerated bookbuild that was completed in just over a week.

Growing demand: two women open sharia bank accounts at Bank Negara Indonesia

Leading Islamic retail banks are developing increasingly sophisticated systems to maintain sharia compliance in an evolving market. Writer Philip Alexander

Larry Tabb, CEO of capital markets analyst firm Tabb Group

BATS Exchange's move into the US listings business in December signals growing competition in this space. But can high-tech upstart trading venues hope to make inroads into the high-touch listings business? Writer Michelle Price

Mark Lewellen, head of European corporate origination at Barclays Capital

China has had an inflationary spike, Australia is raising rates and more are expected to follow suit. This has prompted a flood of bond issuance from businesses and governments ahead of fears about rising rates. When more central banks signal that they are in a neutral and tightening mode, what will this do to the debt capital market? Writer Joanne Hart

Ian Gilday, European head of high-yield and loan capital markets at Goldman Sachs

High-yield bond issuance rocketed at the end of 2009 as the thirst for yield returned, leading investors lower down the risk spectrum. As yields dropped in response, this opened up the market to even the riskiest credits. Then, in mid-February, there was a huge sell-off. What is in store for the high-yield market? Writer Joanne Hart

With a few deals signalling the resuscitation of the global asset-backed securities market, bankers say it is gingerly getting back on its feet. But it faces a barrage of political, regulatory and accounting constraints that will make any recovery slow and painful. Writer Suzanne Miller

Jonathan Brown, head of global emerging market syndicate at Barclays Capital

Resilient, with huge growth prospects and healthy returns, emerging markets can be an attractive prospect in this climate, but issues of higher interest rates, a need for regulation and limited liquidity have to be resolved. Writer Joanne Hart

Spencer Lake, global head of debt capital markets, HSBC

Last year saw an amazing turnaround for debt capital markets which went from near death in 2008 to rude health in 2009. This year began with another intense round of capital raising, but clouds have appeared on the horizon. Will sovereign debt fears, growing regulatory pressure, inflationary spikes and fears of a double-dip recession put DCM back in hospital? Writer Geraldine Lambe