A new prime minister and Bank of Japan governor, both apparently working in concert, could signal sustained weakness for the yen. But there are some tough psychological barriers to breach.
Latest articles from Payments
Opportunities remain amid growing challenges for FX
April 2, 2013Foreign exchange trading volumes were down in 2012 and the cost of operations is rising, but there are signs that 2013 will be a more promising year for banks with the right offering.
Finding a global transaction banking niche
March 1, 2013A focus on individual key strengths, both in terms of products and geographical footprint, is the driving force behind big banks’ global transaction banking business strategies as they search for a unique selling point in an increasingly competitive market.
Offshore renminbi spreads beyond Hong Kong
October 1, 2012Hong Kong is the world’s offshore centre for the renminbi, and now other international centres are joining the Chinese currency’s path to internationalisation. But as additional pools of liquidity are being created, will the new centres dilute the existing offshore liquidity and create separate puddles rather than one large pool?
Swift CEO sets agenda for Sibos 2012
October 1, 2012Ahead of Sibos 2012, Gottfried Leibbrandt, chief executive officer of the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, or Swift, sat down for an exclusive interview with The Banker to discuss the conference agenda and the company's position in a rapidly changing global landscape.
Wallet wars: mobile payment systems fight for critical mass
August 1, 2012The battle to persuade customers to ditch their traditional wallets in favour of a digitised version on their mobile phone has stepped up a notch in the past few months, with big technology and internet companies threatening the territory of the more familiar payment brands. Jane Cooper looks at who is making the early running in this war of the wallets.
Europe ready for arrival of the renminbi
July 2, 2012As the Chinese authorities lift restrictions and open up the renminbi market stage by stage, the significance of what is unfolding has not gone unrecognised in Europe, and, according to a recent survey by The Banker, it is not only those already doing business with the country that are interested in the renminbi's development. As London takes steps to establish itself as an offshore renminbi financial centre, many are anxious to take advantage of the opportunities soon to be available.
Non-banks move in on merchant acquiring
June 1, 2012The need for scale, continuous investment as well as constraints on capital are pushing banks to reconsider whether they need to keep their merchant services divisions in house, or allow a non-bank player to step in.
Transaction banking enters a new phase
May 1, 2012The transaction banking landscape is undergoing a period of significant change, leaving bankers with the task of navigating competitive and regulatory pressures while staying focused on innovation and operating efficiency. At a recent round table hosted by The Banker, a panel of industry experts discussed these issues and how they are often intertwined. The event, part of an ongoing series, was sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland, but independently written and edited.
Transaction banking braced for a year of further consolidation
February 1, 2012Faced with a mass of regulatory reform and the ill-effects of the sovereign debt crisis, transaction banking is set for more change. And despite the emergence of new competitors, the competitive landscape is contracting thanks to global consolidation. The Banker speaks to some of the world's leading transaction bankers about their strategies for the coming year and beyond.