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.
Alex Ehrlich, the global head of prime brokerage at Morgan StanleyThe client-base, funding model and counter-party trust upon which the prime brokerage business grew so successful was badly damaged by the crisis. Almost 18 months on, however, the industry is regrouping. Writer Michelle Price
The financial crisis exposed the inadequacies of industry-wide cash management operations, making the case for intra-day cash management ever-more compelling. In this round table, a range of senior industry executives discuss the challenges of shifting to a new operational model. Writer Michelle Price
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
After five years plagued by setbacks, the Tokyo Stock Exchange has raised its game with the launch of its Arrowhead trading system in January. The exchange's next goal is to successfully accommodate the increased flow of alternative trading in order to cement its position as a rival to the more established centres in the US and Europe. Writer Charles Smith
The question of how to stay ahead when it comes to trading in foreign exchange boils down to one question: how deep are your pockets? The revolution in e-commerce - combined with an increasingly demanding client base and the rigours of potential new regulation - means that banks will have to work harder than ever before to maintain market share. Writer Charlie Corbett
Larry Tabb, CEO of capital markets analyst firm Tabb GroupBATS Exchange's move into the US listings business in December signals growing competition in this space. But can high-tech upstart trading venues hope to make inroads into the high-touch listings business? Writer Michelle Price