Eager to take advantage of India's economic strength and increase their presence in the region, foreign banks are coming up against strict branch-licensing laws as India seeks to protect its banking sector from the vagaries of the global market. Writer Rekha Mehon
Asia-Pacific
Samruk-Kazyna: from bailout to sale
December 8, 2010Sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna became the main vehicle for the Kazakh government to rescue a distressed banking sector and ailing economy. Its CEO, Kairat Kelimbetov, explains the fund's next steps. Writer Philip Alexander
Consumer lending moves eastwards
December 8, 2010Home Credit Group, one of the largest unsecured retail lending specialists in eastern Europe, is pioneering the model in China and Vietnam. Writer Philip Alexander
Poor conditions stymie Japanese momentum
December 8, 2010Japanese banks have put themselves on a more solid footing, shown in particular by the performance of Mitsubishi UFJ, but the sluggish economy means their achievements have yet to reach spectacular levels. Writer Brian Caplen
Singapore's banks are being forced to go overseas
December 8, 2010Singapore's banks have reported stable but modest profits in recent years, but this is coming under threat from low interest rates and a lack of opportunity in an overcrowded market, leading many to consider international expansion. Writer Michelle Price
Abul Maal Adbul Muhith on Bangladesh's future
December 8, 2010Bangladesh's finance minister reveals how the young nation, considered by Goldman Sachs to be a 'Next Eleven' country, can shake off the ills of nationalism, poverty and corruption to realise its much-touted potential. Writer Spencer Anderson
Malaysia at a crossroads
December 8, 2010Despite Malaysia's banking sector emerging from the financial crisis in good health, consolidation and liberalisation look set to play a big part in its future. Writer Michelle Price
The emergence of Asia's dark pools
November 24, 2010Alternative liquidity is surging in Asia, and dark pools are now leading this assault. However, some major market participants are lagging behind. Writer Michelle Price
A tale of two centres
November 24, 2010From Hong Kong to London, established global financial centres are looking to reinvent themselves as Islamic finance hubs and capture a slice of a fast-growing and still largely untapped market.
Malaysia leads Asian resurgence
September 29, 2010The Malaysian government has been active in promoting Islamic finance.