Moscow is already the financial hub for the former Soviet territories, but formidable legislative and infrastructure hurdles stand in the way of its aspirations to become a global IFC. Now the city and the Russian state are striving very seriously to address these issues, says Yuri Roslyak.
The Banker's ranking of international financial centres is based not simply on the size of the financial services industry in each location, but focuses instead on the level of international business and the value offered to institutions seeking to expand their overseas operations.
As the fallout from the global financial crisis continues, competition between leading international financial centres has been given a new dimension by threats of tougher regulation in established markets and intense pressure from emerging centres striving hard to push their way into the top league. Writer Silvia Pavoni
The world has come a long way since the lurid headlines of 2008 warning that support for the banking sector would cost governments around the world trillions of dollars. While dangers still persist, money is steadily starting to return to government coffers. Writer Geraldine Lambe
With investors in a state of near permanent paranoia, pricing an initial public offering to perfection is critical in today's market. The list of failed or delayed IPOs in the first half of 2010 is testament to this. Only the strongest will survive - even those at a healthy discount. Writer Charlie Corbett
Recent positive noises from the Basel Committee have eased concerns among banks about what instruments will count as Tier 1 capital in the future. But huge uncertainties remain over what form future regulation will take, in particular regarding hybrid debt. Many banks could find that they are forced to revisit a now saturated market for bank equity issuance; either that or come up with more innovative ways of boosting capital ratios. Writer Charlie Corbett