Banks are discovering that there will be a regulatory price to pay for the support of governments and central banks – and it could be a costly one. Karina Robinson investigates.

In spite of dire prognostications about the state of UK banking, the top six banks have emerged from the reporting season, if not unscathed, in pretty good shape.

US acceptance of International Financial Reporting Standards is a breakthrough, but UK bankers foresee a discrepancy between rules-based and principles-based systems, writes Michael Imeson.

A string of problems would result if the UK government decides to take the nationalisation route to digging the troubled bank out of trouble.

After Barclays failed to gain control of ABN AMRO, president Bob Diamond focuses on the positive elements of the bank’s position. Interview by Brian Caplen.

MediCapital, the new sales and investment banking arm of BMCE, aims to spark interest in untapped African markets. Neil Sen reports.

The Islamic finance industry is rapidly evolving and expanding, with growth of banking assets estimated at $750bn and growing at a rate of 15% to 20% a year. Nabeel Shoaib explains.

Funding for RBS’ share of the ABN AMRO takeover has been secured with the largest ever Tier 1 capital securities issue. RBS director of capital management Ron Huggett talks to Edward Russell Walling.

For ABN AMRO’s pioneering property derivatives team the value of deals is mushrooming, but it is keen that other players enter the market and create greater liquidity. Joanne Hart reports.

Are the ‘irrational’ clients of Northern Rock the kind of customers rival banks should be opening their arms to, asks Joe DiVanna.