While the Chinese economy shows signs of slowing, growth in the western provinces is continuing unabated, making it a particularly attractive destination for financial institutions. A number of major cities are competing for this inward capital, but in the race to become western China's financial hub, the city of Chengdu has taken a clear lead.
Latest articles from Stephen Timewell
Reserve Bank of India confident that banks can grow to meet demand
July 2, 2012The evolution of the Indian banking sector has been slow and steady thus far, but with 60% of its population still unbanked and $1000bn of investment planned for the development of its infrastructure, India's needs are fast outstripping the sector's capabilities. Deputy governor of Reserve Bank of India Anand Sinha is confident that the country's banks can rise to this challenge, but there are areas that he believes they must improve on first.
The state of play: India's banks in 2012
July 2, 2012Little is understood of India's banking sector outside of the vast country. The Banker talks to the chairmen and CEOs of 15 of India’s leading banks about their strategies, prospects and the huge opportunities presented by the country's large unbanked population.
The state of play: China's banks in 2012
July 2, 2012China has been the story in global banking over the past decade. The Banker speaks to the CEOs and chairmen of the country's leading banks, and assesses their options as the growth of the national economy begins to slow.
Saudi Arabia's banks look to build on boom
May 1, 2012With significant potential for growth in the country's real estate, retail and capital markets, Saudi Arabia's banks, which are already highly liquid and rapidly increasing their profitability, are making bold projections for their future successes.
Saudi Arabia's economy goes from strength to strength
April 2, 2012By identifying potential weaknesses and fixing them – diversifying a previously oil-reliant economy and encouraging growth in the private sector – Saudi Arabia has managed to sustain a growing economy, even through times of economic and political turmoil.
Saudi Arabia's banking sector hits new heights
April 2, 2012Loans are up, deposits are growing and profits are healthy in Saudi Arabia's banks. But with growth opportunities in Islamic finance and a low proportion of home ownership in the country, there are still many more lucrative areas for these institutions to tap.
Lebanon central bank governor stays calm amid crises
November 1, 2011The governor of Banque du Liban's conservative approach has set Lebanon on a firm post-crisis footing, and has enabled the country's banking sector to ride out the 'Arab Spring' uprisings in the Middle East and north Africa with relative ease.
SAMA chief focuses on domestic developments
November 1, 2011Muhammad Al-Jasser, the governor of Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency, says that while the country's role within the wider Middle Eastern and global economies is an important one, in times of such financial anxiety, it is important to focus on domestic matters.
Lebanon's urgent need for economic reform
September 7, 2011Blom Bank's chairman Saad Azhari, Banque Audi's group CFO Freddie Baz, Byblos Bank's executive director Sami Haddad and the Lebanese Banks Association's secretary general Makram Sader discuss privatisation, economic reform and other issues facing the new Lebanese government.