National Bank of Kuwait’s (NBK) winning tender bid last month to buy Egypt’s Al-Watany Bank for $516m reflects not only NBK’s regional expansion strategy but also growing confidence in the Egyptian banking system.

Wendy Atkins reports on how payment card providers are preparing for the 2008 Beijing Olympics by ensuring that visitors can pay easily for all their needs.

Banks retain a voracious appetite for Middle East project finance, which continues to generate new milestones as margins get ever tighter, write Kevin Godier, Mark Ford and Nadine Marroushi.

Mexico’s president Felipe Calderón has put last year’s rocky election behind him by implementing a package of measures designed to put his country back on a firm financial footing. Monica Campbell reports.

After pursuing a strategy of investing in less-developed Asian markets, ANZ is set to enjoy the fruits of its labours as these markets grow. Virginia Marsh reports.

Kazakhstan’s economic growth story is attracting foreign investors, especially in the booming banking sector. Ben Aris reports.

At HSH Nordbank, CEO Hans Berger is too busy preparing for an IPO to be concerned about the debate over Landesbanken consolidation or what role his bank could play in it.

In the debate on whether German Landesbanken should consolidate further, Hannes Rehm is Siegfried Jaschinski’s ideological opponent. While he does not rule out further consolidation in the sector, Mr Rehm, who has a PhD in economics, sees no pressing need for it, arguing that the three-pillar system has adequately financed corporate Germany.

What is ironic about Mr Jaschinski is how different he is from the way in which the German press has portrayed him.

Cross-border expansion, privatisation and consolidation are likely to change the face of the German Landesbanken scene. Jan F Wagner, in Frankfurt, talks to three Landesbank chiefs about plans for the future.