Latest articles from Stephen Timewell

Fortis casts its net far and wide

May 2, 2006

Fortis chief executive Jean-Paul Votron tells Stephen Timewell how the bank is extending its reach through acquisitions, joint ventures and white-labelling – and plans to grow a global footprint.

Tough targets for transformation

April 3, 2006

Taiwan’s financial reform programme is addressing not only issues about China but the problems of a highly fragmented banking sector. Stephen Timewell reports from Taipei.

Rising above local problems

April 3, 2006

Uncertainty in the Icelandic market has not perturbed Kaupthing Bank from pressing ahead with its expansion into Europe. Stephen Timewell reports.

In the people business

April 3, 2006

Unicredit’s head of retail Roberto Nicastro explains why the bank’s cross-border strategy for its 19-country franchise won’t necessarily entail standardisation. He talks to Stephen Timewell.

Reality check for the Gulf

April 3, 2006

The recent drop in Gulf stock prices gave everyone a shock. But, as Stephen Timewell reports, it appears to have been the correction of a maturing market and not the precursor to a regional slump.

Dormant but not forgotten

March 6, 2006

Estimates put funds lying dormant in accounts at £1bn-£5bn for the UK alone. But the issue of how to identify this cash and what to do with it is far from straightforward, as Stephen Timewell explains.

Activity on the acquisition trail

March 6, 2006

Lebanon’s top two banks have boosted profits and set their sights on regional and global expansion, despite political turmoil at home. Stephen Timewell reports.

KPMG REPORT

February 6, 2006

Branch Capital Attribution for Banks – A Survey of International Practice.
A survey finds that double and ‘less than single’ taxation of banks’ overseas networks persists, writes Stephen Timewell.

Window on the world

January 2, 2006

Stephen Timewell traces eight decades of The Banker, which has reflected global historical changes through the years, and he profiles its founder, Brendan Bracken, whose influence is still felt today.

Walking, not running

January 2, 2006

China’s rapid economic growth and transformation continues apace. But can its banks can keep up with such accelerated growth? Stephen Timewell reports.

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