The Bank for International Settlements suggests there is evidence that higher capital requirements for systemically important banks have led to higher interest rates on their lending to bolster return on equity. But interest spreads are still far lower than a decade ago.
London has come out on top in its annual battle with New York to be named the world's leading international financial centre. Beyond the behemoths, however, the big story comes from Latin America, where Mexico City has jumped 15 places to crown an impressive year for the financial hub.
The Arab world has captured the wrong kind of attention in recent years as the Arab Spring uprisings and their aftermath have dominated global headlines. However, The Banker's Top 100 Arab Banks rankings show a banking industry that is well capitalised and well run.