Standard Chartered has fared well by focusing on core banking services in emerging markets. But in the wake of the crisis, it is facing increased competition from domestic banks.

The 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

Opacity and illiquidity have been the scourge of many an investor as the financial crisis has unfolded, and are now being heavily targeted in the regulatory counter-attack. Natasha de Terán examines how this has played to the strengths of the equity derivatives market.

Two major banking blow outs, accusations of mis-selling and mounting counterparty risk concerns have all taken their toll on the structured products market. Natasha de Terán assesses the impact on the business and investigates how providers have responded to the challenges.

Due to plummeting equity market values and strong risk aversion, a large swathe of the investor base is underweight in its target equity market allocations. Sooner or later – and even in the midst of continuing market uncertainty – these investors will reweight their portfolios. But what sort of product solutions are sellside firms putting on the table to encourage them back into the market?

Heavy losses on equity portfolios and widening funding deficits are forcing a rethink of pension funds' approach, but trustees need to be equipped to manage derivatives exposure, writes Philip Alexander.

Equity derivatives research analysts, akin to their sales and trading counterparts, have their work cut out to gain exposure and generate client interest. Natasha de Terán looks at how the industry leaders are working to get noticed.

Trade finance has taken a battering in the past 12 months, and governments across the world are desperately seeking measures to inject life into the world's clogged-up trade arteries. Writer Charlie Corbett