Latest articles from Western Europe

Regulation drives alternative lenders out of the shadows

January 2, 2013

Non-bank organisations are increasingly engaged in bank-like activities, filling the gaps that banks are leaving and finding entirely new opportunities, which has led authorities to take note and tighten up the regulatory and supervisory framework for the shadow banking system. 

TEASER-Luc Frieden

Luxembourg finance minister: Europe’s need for integration

January 2, 2013

Luxembourg’s finance minister, Luc Frieden, talks to Brian Caplen about solving Greece’s financial problems, the prospects for a European banking union and the need to find a balance in financial regulation. 

TEASER-Emilio Botín

Emilio Botín: the secret of Santander's success

January 2, 2013

Emilio Botín, the chairman of Banco Santander, explains how the bank's geographical diversification and philosophy of operating standalone subsidiaries has helped it thrive during the worst years of the crisis, and stand it in good stead for the future.

Global banks wait for regulatory stars to align

Global banks wait for regulatory stars to align

January 2, 2013

Banks that operate across borders must tackle differences between jurisdictions in a context where most regulators are intensifying the scrutiny of both balance sheet and strategy.

Citi’s EMEA chiefs confident of maintaining momentum

January 2, 2013

Citi’s co-heads of banking in Europe, the Middle East and Africa explain how the depth of post-crisis transformation carried out under outgoing CEO Vikram Pandit has left the business in a strong position in the regions.

Banks’ capital management more important in new world

January 2, 2013

New regulations and resolution and recovery regimes are forcing banks across the world to change their models and strategies. While much is still uncertain, it is clear that how they manage their capital levels and funding will be crucial to determining what business lines they can go into. 

Outcome of Basel III’s LCR and NSFR still uncertain

January 2, 2013

Banks have struggled with the implementation deadline of Basel III regulations, due to differing approaches to the two key liquidity and capital measurements. So, what is the outlook for the implementation of Basel III?

German retail looks away from exchanges

German retail moves away from exchange trading

January 2, 2013

Since the global financial crisis, regulators have been pushing for structured products to be traded on exchanges for safety reasons. So why, in the German retail market, is the opposite happening, with more trades being done over the counter?

Global banking five years from now

January 2, 2013

Cross-border universal banks will have to decide not only which countries and product segments to operate in, but also how to build the management structures to deliver the best return on capital under increased regulatory constraints.

Turkey targets IFC status

Can Turkey meet IFC target in next decade?

January 2, 2013

Turkey’s government wants to establish Istanbul as an international financial hub in time for the country’s 100th anniversary as a republic in 2023. The country's geographical location certainly works to its advantage, but it has much to achieve in just 10 years. Will it succeed?

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