Given a volatile stock market, government stimuli and low interest rates, Korea is awash with mountains of seemingly uninvestible cash. Park Sang-soo explains.

For a large, underpopulated country, Kazakhstan has achieved impressive economic growth in recent years. And, despite Western criticism of endemic corruption and poor distribution of wealth, the country looks set to continue on the same path. Chris Pala reports.

Prudent management of its oil reserves and a commitment to propriety is making Kazakhstan a regional success story. Chris Pala in Almaty explains.

Citigroup’s agreement to purchase KorAm Bank in late February has sparked a round of consolidation, reflecting a keen interest by foreign investors in South Korea’s retail banking sector, the third-largest in Asia after Japan and China.

Simon Montlake reports from Kuala Lumpur on a revitalised economy now under the low-key yet decisive auspices of the newly elected Abdullah Badawi.

The Banker’s Central Banker of the year for 2003, Tan Sri Dato’ Zeti Akhtar Aziz, is now in her second term at Bank Negara Malaysia. She helped Malaysia through the 1997-1998 financial crisis and has since presided over a dramatic consolidation of Malaysia’s financial sector. The country is now reaping the benefits.

After Malaysia’s stormy financial fortunes in the late 1990s, the country has recovered well, and its economy is proving of valuable interest to international markets.

Mervyn Davies, group chief executive of Standard Chartered, shares his vision of Asia with The Banker.

China’s barriers to foreign banks will soon be coming down but their expertise will also be useful to local institutions, says Louise do Rosario.