Since unfettered risk taking has been roundly criticised for its role in the financial crisis, many may be surprised that at some banks, prop trading is right back in the mix. What role will proprietary trading play in the new model bank? Writer Michelle Price

Investment banking losses and US tax evasion charges sent clients of the leading wealth manager scurrying for the exits. But the crisis has renewed UBS's determination to succeed in private banking. Writer Philip Alexander

Like their investment banking counterparts, private bankers are also facing an identity crisis as the failure to protect clients' wealth threatens to tarnish the industry and inhibit future growth. There are many different responses. Writer Philip Alexander

In the 12 months since last year's Deals of the Year, the bad news just kept on coming. Venerable names disappeared; others remain but in a different guise. Yet despite the turmoil, the number and quality of entries this year was extremely high. The Banker's judges considered 416 deals from 102 banks worldwide, which made clear the growing strength of regional banks and were proof indeed that good deals can get done in bad markets.

Few markets in central and eastern Europe have escaped investor fears over excessive corporate debt. Equity offerings are on hold and refinancing conditions have rarely been tougher, but there are opportunities for banks that stay in the game, writes Philip Alexander.

In the wake of the collapse of two major banks - Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns - global custodian banks are persuading increasingly wary hedge fund managers to consider placing some of their assets into their relatively safe hands, rather than risk placing everything with prime brokers. Writer Frances Maguire

As investors lose patience with high fees and long lock-ups at hedge funds, demand is growing for structured products to replicate their strategies. Writer Michael Marray
Yoshiki Ohmura, head of GAM Structured Investments in Zurich