The debt restructuring deal for Kazakhstan's BTA Bank was signed in May 2010, but a bitter dispute between the current and former owners of the bank continues to cast a shadow over its future. Writer Philip Alexander
Asia-Pacific
The remarkable resilience of Pakistan's banks
July 28, 2010Despite an extremely challenging fiscal, political and security environment, Pakistan's banks have remained remarkably resilient. But high interest rates, low economic activity and a bruised consumer portfolio continue to suppress loan growth. Writer Michelle Price
Omar Zakhilwal
July 6, 2010Afghanistan's minister of finance tells The Banker how the government is addressing its significant security and infrastructure challenges and calls for Afghanistan to be given more control over how international aid money is spent within its territory. Writer Michelle Price
World
/ Asia-Pacific
/ India
Slow progress
July 6, 2010Indian banks are demonstrating a return to good health and new players are set to enter the market. But overbanked urban areas and a seeming reluctance to enter a period of consolidation continues to hamper the industry's development. Writer Rekha Menon
World
/ Asia-Pacific
/ Nepal
Surendra Pandey
July 6, 2010Despite ongoing political unrest, Nepal's finance minister says his focus is fixed firmly on economic development and rebuilding the country's infrastructure. Writer Michelle Price
World
/ Asia-Pacific
/ Taiwan
Waiting for China
July 6, 2010The imminent signing of an economic co-operation framework agreement between Taiwan and China promises to bring major structural shift in Taiwan's highly state-dominated banking industry. Writer Gavin Bowring
State meddling hinders Uzbek banking
July 6, 2010Uzbekistan's banking sector is lagging behind the country's broader economic growth, stymied by the interfering hand of the state. Writer Michelle Price
Clearing and settlement remains a barrier to Australian competition
May 28, 2010The much-anticipated competition in Australia's cash equities markets is finally taking hold, but hopeful new entrants may yet be stymied by the challenges presented by the clearing and settlement infrastructure. Writer Elton Cane
World
/ Asia-Pacific
/ China
Is China heading for a home-grown crisis?
May 28, 2010As the global crisis weakened other major economies, China's huge lending spree sent its growth soaring, but it must hope that in having made credit so loosely available it has not inadvertently planted the seeds of a future home-grown crisis. Writer Brian Caplen
World
/ Asia-Pacific
/ Japan
JBIC looks to integrate Asian demands into its operations
May 28, 2010Japanese development bank, the Japan Bank for International Co-operation, is tasked with integrating broader Asian demands into its operations. Environmental finance and capital markets support are two areas of increasing prominence for the bank.