Japan's banks recorded unremarkable increases in profitability and returns over the past year, yet the country's big players have maintained their prominence within the global rankings, suggesting that their disappointing performance is part of a wider global trend. But with the data from the months following the disasters of March 2011 yet to be revealed, the performance of Japan's banks could yet take a further hit.
Asia-Pacific
Indian bond markets take slow road to maturity
November 1, 2011India's vast infrastructure needs should make a larger bond market in the country indispensable. However, there are many regulatory obstacles to overcome.
Banks race to compete in renminbi
November 1, 2011The renminbi is on a path to becoming an international currency, and the first step of the journey is for the Chinese currency to be used to settle trade payments. As businesses begin to see the benefits of using renminbi for trade settlement, banks are competing to make their mark on this growing business.
South Korea makes life difficult for foreign investors
November 1, 2011From drawn-out court cases to labour union strikes, the trials and tribulations of the multinational banks that have tried to invest in South Korea have left many observers with the impression that the country is hostile to foreign capital.
Best prospects for Islamic finance outside core markets
November 1, 2011Several emerging markets with large Muslim populations combine low bank penetration and a high return on assets with a relatively small market share for Islamic banking, and thus provide further opportunities for growth in the Islamic finance sector.
Is Nomura running out of time?
November 1, 2011With its acquisition of Lehman Brothers' non-US operations, Nomura made an audacious bid to join the global investment banking elite. Little did it know that its bold move would coincide with the worst economic and financial environment for the best part of a century. However, its senior management believe that if they hold their nerve, the gamble can still reap the rewards they originally expected.
Structured products revival in Asia
October 20, 2011The fight for market share in the Asian High Net Worth Individual (HNWI) segment is fierce, as private banks and wealth management arms of major banks from Europe and the US position themselves for future growth.
Is Hong Kong and China's ECM dominance here to stay?
October 3, 2011Hong Kong has been the world's biggest initial public offering market for the past two years. Is this a sign of a structural shift in the equity markets, in which companies' capital-raising strategy must include a Hong Kong/China element? And just how much are world leaders London and New York losing out to their Asian rivals?
Taiwan banks make slow progress in China
October 3, 2011Political uncertainty and regulation has blighted the progress on the Economic Co-Operation Framework Agreement between Taiwan and China. Now, slowly but surely, agreements are finally being reached that should benefit Taiwan's banks and businesses.
Too many banks, too little profit in Taiwan
October 3, 2011Looking at the liquidity and capitalisation levels of Taiwanese banks may give a false impression of a healthy banking sector. But with the world’s second lowest net interest margin, the country's banks are struggling in an overcrowded market.