Many analysts in the West are predicting the worst for China’s economy, pointing to a slowdown in growth and claiming a meltdown is on its way. However, as Stephen Timewell discovers, the mood within the country is more prosaic, with the feeling being that the economy is simply maturing to a level that will make its growth more sustainable.
There are commentators within the country who claim that the Saudi Arabian economy and its banking environment may well be the best in the world, with strong profits, a high level of capital investment and robust demographics. But there are concerns that small and medium enterprises do not have enough access to lending, providing a new focus for bank efforts.
Despite a drop in oil revenues, Saudi Arabia’s economy remains the envy of most countries in the world, boosted by government spending and the vibrant non-oil private sector. Not satisfied with this, the government is instigating major social reforms in the labour market and in education.
In a career that has spanned more than 50 years, Ibrahim Dabdoub has transformed the National Bank of Kuwait from a small local player into a global force. Now that he has chosen to step down from his position as chief executive, The Banker reflects on the legacy that he will leave behind.
India may be one of the most populous countries on earth, but a small proportion of its population has access to a bank branch. As the case for financial inclusion grows, lenders are clamouring to take advantage of what has been described as 'the largest banking opportunity in the world'.
India's banks remained relatively profitable in 2012, and the outlook for this year is equally positive thanks to a government initiative that is helping lenders to tap the country's large unbanked population. The Banker talks to the senior executives of 10 of India's biggest banks to discuss the industry's past successes and future developments.
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China has experienced incredible growth in the past year, and is now the number one bank in The Banker's Top 1000 World Banks ranking, the first Chinese bank to hold this position. Stephen Timewell charts this rise and speaks to the bank's chairman.
In the past year, political turbulence has dented Kuwait's otherwise healthy economy, with political infighting effectively blocking the government's $130bn economic development plan (EDP). But a new government, elected in December 2012, looks set to put an end to the country's political problems and kick-start the EDP.
Largely unaffected by the political and economic turbulence outside the country, Kuwait's banks recorded strong growth in 2012, and are looking to improve on this in 2013, by seeking growth abroad and taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the government's $130bn national development plan.
The growth of China's economy is slowing, and with it the profit margins of its leading banks. However, with an increasing focus on SME lending, opportunities opening up in wealth management and the capital markets, and the renminbi edging ever nearer to achieving international reserve currency status, the mood among the country's bankers is still one of optimism, albeit of the more cautious variety.