Last year, the financial crisis had little impact on the top 25 western European banks.

For the first time in its modern economic history, Japan is being hotly pursued by China, which recently became the world's second-largest economy. Nomura Research Institute's chief economist reveals what Japan needs to learn if it is to maintain its lofty position in the new global economic order.

From revamping the humble ATM to eradicating time-consuming coin transactions, the banking world's technology teams have surpassed themselves over the past 12 months when it comes to problem solving and money saving. The Banker's Innovation in Banking Technology Awards celebrates those behind the industry's brightest ideas.

Banking in Africa faces major challenges but the outlook is compellingly positive for players who are committed to investing in the continent's growth.

When markets crash someone or something must be at fault - heads must roll, structures reformed, the rules rewritten.

The UK is in the honeymoon period of a new government - a novel coalition of right-of-centre Conservatives and left-of-centre Liberal Democrats. This is sure to end as the government sets about taking the tough tax and spending decisions required to bring the UK's budget numbers back into shape and avert a Greek-style crisis.