Despite some concerns over the impact of regulation on profit, the big banks in western Europe have mostly held their ground in this year's Top 1000 World Banks ranking. However, the aftermath of the financial crisis has seen changes in the UK and Spanish banking sectors.
The caution in the markets following the tsunami in Japan and unrest in north Africa provided an unpromising backdrop to French company Sanofi Aventis's $20bn takeover of US biotech firm Genzyme. However, the deal passed off as a resounding success.
The tenacious Portugese banks have prided themselves in their ability to stick with the Angolan economy in good and bad years, but they are now facing increasing competition from foreign banks, which stress their international network credentials.
The Swedish economy has bounced back well from the crisis, with banks among the main beneficiaries. Leading bankers at three of the country's biggest banks - Nordea, Swedbank and Handelsbanken - explain how they have achieved such impressive results.
Contingent capital is still the subject of furious debate. Some have called it a dangerous instrument, while others say it may not do what regulators want. Some argue that it will be difficult to create a market big enough to absorb the needs of the banking sector if it becomes a compulsory part of the capital structure. But none of this stopped Credit Suisse's $2bn issue from being a storming success.
European sovereigns, supranationals and agencies supply is running at high levels, and with the market environment far from ideal, issuers are having to broaden their investor base. Placement with Asian accounts is critical to the success of many deals.
Many Turkish banks enjoyed record results in 2010, with high return on equity, efficient operations, strong capital ratios and falling inflation. However, changing domestic economic conditions will drive new strategies in 2011 and beyond.