Global currency markets have become increasingly volatile as European policy-makers struggle to resolve the sovereign debt crisis and emerging economies try to limit currency rises at the same time as taming inflation. Traditional safe haven countries have been prompted to take historic action in a bid to stem currency appreciation and support exports. But are there any safe havens any more?
New regulations, specifically the push towards central counterparty clearing, are having a huge impact on banks' over-the-counter foreign exchange operations. As the banking sector undergoes significant changes, what will this mean for banks' organisational structures and the foreign exchange market?
Commodity currencies have posted record gains in the past two years, fuelled by spiralling demand for food and materials. But some of these countries are now struggling to offset runaway inflation, and the rate of inflows is such that central banks are becoming increasingly helpless to reverse the pressure on their currency.
Should the payment card industry be a free market? Or does it need to be regulated? The debate is raging in countries across the world, with both retailers and card issuers arguing that tweaks to interchange fees and leaving them shortchanged.
Massive capital flows into Asia led many Asian countries to introduce capital controls and other mechanisms in a bid to stem flows and limit rising currency valuations. However, rising inflation and talk of interest rate rises have raised fears about slowing growth, leading to money flowing the other way.
Last year, customer volumes overtook interbank volumes in the foreign exchange market for the first time. Electronic and high-frequency trading help to account for the change, as does the rise of retail participants – but regulatory change is also helping to cement this trend.
The battle over the valuation of the Chinese renminbi has often been characterised by vitriolic debate and has seen a titanic clash between Washington and Beijing about the right level for the currency and the speed of appreciation. But efforts to internationalise the renminbi are already taking effect.
An influx of non-bank online payment providers offering customers new, easy-to-use ways to transfer money has spurred some banks into providing similar systems. However, there is some scepticism, particularly in the US, about just how much these new methods threaten traditional banking models.
Central banks have dropped their traditional low profile - becoming more proactive, accumulating large reserves and intervening actively to support their national currencies and interests. The composition of their reserves is also changing, with a number of central banks considering moves to reduce their exposure to the US dollar, reports Joanne Hart.
Unprecedented volatility on the foreign exchange markets has dramatically increased the currency-related risks for corporates and has forced them to re-evaluate their strategies for hedging against sudden shifts. Banks and software suppliers are developing tools to help them address the situation, writes Frances Maguire.
Troubled since 2005, the UK credit card industry has been suffering a severe test of profitability. But credit card issuers are hoping to rejuvenate the industry by moving to a more convenience-focused, sustainable and transparent business model.
The payments landscape is changing. Customers are demanding more, so banks are having to decide how to update their payments infrastructures. Competition is becoming fiercer and regulation is getting tougher. Despite this, the rewards can be high. Payments are still the lynchpin between a bank and its customers, and new markets, such as payments for the unbanked and mobile banking, are being explored. These issues and more were discussed in Brussels, Belgium, last month. Writer Michael Imeson
Whether it is algorithmic models or simple pay-offs based on baskets of currencies, currency trades are proving to be increasingly popular with buyers of structured products looking to complement their equities, commodities and fixed-income investments. Writer Michael Marray