Although the top 10 EU banks retained their solid grip on the 2008 ranking, profits were significantly down across the board and capital structures were seriously damaged compared with banks in other parts of the world. Writer Stephen Timewell
Latest articles from Stephen Timewell
Late starter plays catch-up
October 5, 2009Stephen Timewell talks to Libyan Stock Market chairman Suliman Salem Alshahomy about the arrival of the country's fledgling stock market in 2008 and the plans for its development.
Welfare with a difference
October 5, 2009Libya's innovative social welfare scheme centres around empowering low-income families to invest in public projects, with the dual goals of improving their wealth and building the nation's economy, writes Stephen Timewell.
Building on firm foundations
October 5, 2009From privatisation initiatives, strategic partnerships and foreign investment, the transformation of Libya's banks continues unabated. Stephen Timewell surveys the six biggest players
Small steps to a modern system
October 5, 2009The Libyan government's shift from owner of the economy to regulator has ushered in a period of reform which has seen significant expansion in commercial banking and is gradually transforming the country's outdated banking sector, reports Stephen Timewell.
Growth beyond oil
October 5, 2009Farhat Bengdara, the governor of the Central Bank of Libya talks to Stephen Timewell about the strategies in place to reform the banking sector and achieve non-oil-dependent growth.
In from the cold
October 5, 2009After decades of isolation from the global economy, Libya has begun a programme of reforms to reintegrate itself and realise its full potential, which stretches from oil and gas to tourism. Stephen Timewell reports from Tripoli.
Arab banks stay solid in tough conditions
October 5, 2009Although not unaffected by the global financial crisis, the Arab banking sector has continued to expand, with the UAE banks accounting for a growing proportion of asset growth. Writer Stephen Timewell
Diversity in adversity
July 7, 2009China's leading banks have come through the credit crisis and resulting global recession well, on the whole posting strong results for 2008. The Banker profiles five of these banks, looking at the ways in which they have transformed themselves by targeting a wider range of businesses and expanding their product offering. Writer Stephen Timewell
We've seen it all before...
June 4, 2009Its longevity is as unique as its global appeal and from its very first issue to this, its 1000th, The Banker has remained true to the vision set out by its founder, Brendan Bracken. The international outlook and forward thinking that has made The Banker such a success over the past 83 years is a course that will be steadfastly continued. Writer Stephen Timewell