Latest articles from Payments

Emerging markets currencies step into the limelight

December 5, 2005

FX markets are back in vogue, with investors looking to emerging markets and online trading for the best gains. 

Europe’s quest for payment pricing unity

August 1, 2005

Charging more for a cross-border payment than a domestic payment in the eurozone is forbidden – but Europe is still awaiting the infrastructure to support euro cross-border payments, in the form of a pan-European automated clearing house.

A singular approach

May 2, 2005

Could a single European payments area boost Europe’s economy? Wendy Atkins finds out.

FX pulse rate picks up

November 4, 2004

Gauging the health of the world’s foreign exchange market is an awkward business, but every three years the Bank for International Settlements takes its pulse as best it can. Edward Russell-Walling reports.
The last time the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) brought out its stethoscope, in 2001, the FX heart was found to be beating rather feebly. But the bank’s latest survey shows it to be pounding. Daily turnover shot up from an average of $1200bn in 2001 to nearly $1900bn this year, according to BIS.
That represented a rise of 57% (36% at constant exchange rates), which was rather more than most anticipated. The consensus had been for closer to $1500bn. “We were all surprised,” admits Mansoor Mohi-uddin, UBS chief currency strategist. “No-one expected the jump to be this much.”

Banks go big game hunting

October 4, 2004

As electronic trading has cemented the commoditisation and wafer-thin margins for FX, banks have created specialist teams to advise, structure and pull down the more sophisticated and lucrative high-margin bespoke deals. Edward Russell-Walling reports.

Superior forex service pulls in hedge funds

September 2, 2004

The link between hedge funds and banks seems obvious, yet if the banks want to make the most of this relationship, they must start offering the kinds of services that the hedge funds are asking for, says Mark Pelham

In case of emergency...

August 2, 2004

The extent of automation in FX trading systems has meant that a major market shock would lead to a slow-down in trade rather than meltdown. But it has also increased market volatility. William Essex weighs up the pros and cons.

UBS takes top accolades in poll of best FX banks

April 5, 2004

James Eedes reveals the results of The Banker’s second FX banks listing. Once again, UBS is the runaway victor but there is still much to play for in terms of global control.

When will the dollar change direction?

March 3, 2004

Opinions on the future fate of the dollar differ in the extreme. Will the bulls or the bears win out? William Essex reports on factors weighing against the currency and those that could boost it.

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