Latest articles from The Banker's editors

Euro crisis could bring federalism by back door

January 28, 2011

Eurosceptics, many of them in the UK, have so far rejoiced at the crisis in the eurozone, believing it has proven that they were right all along – a monetary union without fiscal union makes economic nonsense. The crisis, say the eurosceptics, exposes the euro as a largely political project.

Rethinking risk-weighting

January 25, 2011

Every analyst has their own spin on what the impact of Basel III might be, and Bernard de Longevialle’s financial institutions team at credit ratings agency Standard & Poor’s has now added its own 16-page report. One of the most striking observations is the effect that tougher risk-weights on banks’ assets could have on certain banks that had recorded relatively healthy capital adequacy ratios under Basel II.

Banks cannot hide from Volcker

January 21, 2011

The Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC), a body of regulators chaired by the US Treasury secretary, issued a series of recommendations in January on how to implement the Volcker Rule and its ban on proprietary trading.

Could a Middle Eastern ‘tiger’ finally start to roar?

January 11, 2011

The surge in Middle Eastern merger and acquisitions (M&A) is evidence of a shift from the oil and gas sector to the development of more complex and interesting industries. Is it set to put the region on a new path?

Regional Winners - 2011

December 23, 2010

The Banker identifies those that have been integral to their countries' recoveries from various financial crises.

Pranab Mukherjee, finance minister, India

Finance Minister of the Year 2011

December 23, 2010

The world economy may be recovering from the global financial crisis, but finance ministers still face enormous challenges in guiding their countries towards sustainable growth and prosperity.

Lamido Sanusi, central bank governor of Nigeria

Central Bank Governor of the Year 2011

December 23, 2010

In the 18 months that he has been in office, Lamido Sanusi has salvaged a crumbling financial sector, taken on Nigeria's powerful and corrupt bank managers and initiated reforms that have put Africa's most promising market back on the map for investors.

Wrong-headed regulation hits trade finance

December 23, 2010

The perversities of regulation are fast becoming all too clear. Trade is the engine of global economic growth and the means by which indebted Europe and the US can haul themselves out of their malaise.

The EU should act where Berlin cannot

December 23, 2010

Anyone that hoped the financial crisis would be the catalyst for substantial change to Germany's three-pillar banking system may be disappointed. The rigid structure that divides the German banking sector into privately owned banks, publicly owned banks and co-operatives seems even now resistant to change.

Awards

Bank of the Year Awards - 2010

December 8, 2010

If last year's awards were about how well banks kept a firm course in stormy times, The Banker's 11th Bank of the Year Awards - in association with Western Gulf Advisory - revealed quality as never seen before by the judges.

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