Financial-industrial groups are making a comeback, but the banks they created are reducing risk by diversifying from related-party business. Meanwhile, the pure banks have also benefited from the economic upturn. Ben Aris reports from Moscow.

Georges Pauget, CEO of Crédit Agricole, and Gilles de Margerie, the French bank’s CFO and head of strategy, speak to Brian Caplen and Nick Kochan about their designs for a more international and diversified group.

At this time of the year, it is becoming fairly standard to forecast a US recession caused by a housing crash that slows down consumer spending and then hits corporate profits.

Turkish banks are on the lookout for more funding to meet demand from the growing credit card, mortgage and commercial loan sectors. Michael Marray reports on the growth in both wrapped and unwrapped paper.

The final act of the Antonveneta/BPI drama began in March last year when ABN AMRO, Antonveneta’s biggest shareholder, informed the Bank of Italy that it intended to launch an offer for the Italian bank.

Under Antonio Fazio, Italy’s central bank seemed to have become an autocracy, with the now disgraced ex-governor its all-powerful boss. Governance will have to be a priority for the new governor, Mario Draghi. David Lane reports on the immense confidence rebuilding task ahead.
Italy’s reputation for institutional excellence is, to put it mildly, far from the country’s strong point. Italian corruption scandals are legendary for involving a wide range of participants from all walks of life: business, politics and public bodies.

Strong domestic retail banking performance has been the key to the continuing profitability of the top five Canadian banks ranked by Tier 1 capital (see table download).

All eyes are on the Gulf region to see which direction it will take in choosing replacements for its long-time leaders.

A series of unfortunate events at the Tokyo Stock Exchange may be symptomatic of the weakness of Japan’s economy as a whole.

Danish prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen defends his consensus-style of leadership to Karina Robinson.