Major progress has been achieved in the reconciliation between the US and its old adversaries, Cuba and Iran. But there are many hurdles to be overcome before normal relations are restored.
Now that the effects of the crisis are settling, it is time for new, sensible rules to prevent banks from getting into trouble again.
Too often, established banks have approached their digital operations as mere extensions of their existing models. However, with those that have launched a new digital bank - complete with its own budget and management team - are showing how it should be done.
Green bonds are fast becoming in-demand instruments for capital markets investors, and BNP Paribas has restructured its debt capital market business to capture this growth. By Edward Russell-Walling.
The intervention of the Chinese government when the country's stock market lost more than one-third of its value in mid-June did not surprise many people, but the timing and manner of the action has disappointed some.
The International Monetary Fund has gradually found its voice in the years since its participation in the Greek bail-out of 2010. Now it must go further.
The old-style banking business model, run across numerous jurisdictions and business lines, is being eaten up by regulatory impositions and newer models that take a narrower focus.
China's rise to the economic ascent will not be without its hiccups, as the country must negotiate the transition from an investment- to a consumption-driven economic model and put its local government expenditures into check.
The Eurasian Economic Union is an ambitious project at a difficult time.
The timely passage of a bill to strengthen the local insolvency law helped convince both the International Monetary Fund and sovereign bond investors that the Cyprus credit story should not be bracketed with that of Greece.
Bankers who reject Bitcoin yet embrace the blockchain technology it is based on do so at their own peril, says Chris Skinner.
Countries in central and eastern Europe are being split in terms of their economic outlook, with Russia in deep recession but other countries benefiting from the low oil price.
Regional payments systems will help bolster Africa's developing financial infrastructure.
In what is mostly still a volatile, unpredictable marketplace, an impressive number of landmark deals have been carried out by banks all over the world in the past 12 months. Here, The Banker recognises the best of them.
New entrants may be disrupting banks, as they have done for other industries, but they will not bring about the death of banking, says Chris Skinner.
A bidding war between Chinese and Italian entrepreneurs for France's iconic Club Med holiday resort operator provided a test of nerves for the bankers, and even led to a change in French law.
The smooth transition of power in Nigeria bodes well for better governance across the continent.
The banking industry is asking regulators to pause to assess the impact of all reforms undertaken in the post-crisis environment. And not before time.
Improved all-in pricing and the need for euro liabilities to match business profiles are bringing US corporates to Europe, a move that is proving lucrative for Deutsche Bank.
Banks have always used their branch network to offer physical proximity and convenience to customers. However, now that banking is moving outside of the branch, lenders are having to find new ways of getting close to the customer.