Ian Ball, CEO, IFACIn turbulent times, a clear perspective of the challenges facing businesses is more important than ever. IFAC/The Banker's survey of small business lending offers market intelligence for lenders, accountants and SME owners alike. By Ian Ball, CEO of the International Federation of Accountants.
The Bracken column is named after Brendan Bracken, the founding editor of The Banker in 1926 and chairman of the modern-day Financial Times from 1945 to 1958.During the past two years, investors have faced one of the most challenging environments in living memory. When confidence in banks falters and markets crash, equity and debt investors are left asking: what will aid recovery and help prevent another crisis? We would argue that changes to financial disclosure and reporting are required. Specifically, investing in banks continues to be complicated by inconsistent accounting rules, fragmented regulation and less confidence in management to deliver.
Madrid's robust financial business model has enabled the city to survive the global recession relatively unscathed. Now the Spanish capital is looking to leverage its world-class business environment and transport facilities to strengthen its presence in Latin America, says Isabel Martin Castellá.
Vision to reality: Yeouido is earmarked to become Asia's leading financial hubBased on strong economic fundamentals and improving infrastructure, Seoul is gearing up to become a key player in the new global financial paradigm, says Paul Moon, director-general of Seoul's Investment Bureau.
Ian Hurst, general manager for the global financial services sector, IBMTechnology can only go so far in helping to explain and predict global systemic risk. However, financial services firms must still be able to adapt to the changing environment and their customers' demands.