The sharp fall in Gulf property markets has dampened confidence in a market that many expected to be relatively immune to the global financial crisis. But sharia-compliant assets are still growing, and perhaps tougher times will encourage a more sophisticated industry.
Italy came through the financial crisis in better shape than many of its peers for various reasons, says Intesa Sanpaolo chief executive Corrado Passera, who shares his thoughts on why Italian banks got it right and how his institution's reaction during the dip has set it up for growth. Writer Brian Caplen
As the global crisis weakened other major economies, China's huge lending spree sent its growth soaring, but it must hope that in having made credit so loosely available it has not inadvertently planted the seeds of a future home-grown crisis. Writer Brian Caplen
Cambodia's government-engineered slowdown after five years of unsustainable economic growth could not have been implemented at a worse time, coming as it did just before the global financial crisis. Consequently the crisis has hit Cambodia's banks hard, though just how hard is a matter of some debate between the IMF and the country's senior bankers. Writer Brian Caplen
Ongoing financial reform will not be held back by Thailand's political troubles, say Thailand's bankers. Neither portfolio nor direct investment inflows have been impacted, and the country's government is pressing on with two masterplans for the financial sector and capital markets. Writer Brian Caplen
UniCredit, the Italian bank with a significant presence in Europe, is back on track following a €4bn rights issue to fund loan demand in eastern Europe. Its chief executive explains how the company's diversified business model is now giving it an advantage over its competitors. Writer Brian Caplen
Keynote speaker: French president Nicolas Sarkozy talked of the 'crisis of globalisation' at DavosWhile debt and regulation loomed over this year's World Economic Forum, global representatives from the banking sector were also encouraged by the emerging shape of the post-crisis world. Writer Brian Caplen
The recent management reshuffle at business software maker SAP led to the departure of the chief executive Leo Apotheker. His replacement as one of two co-CEOs, former head of product development, Jim Hagemann Snabe, gave his view of the post-crisis world in an interview with The Banker's editor Brian Caplen at Davos just before the announcement of his promotion.
Ralph Gonsalves, St Vincent and Grenadines prime ministerThe currency union of the Organisation of East Caribbean States is eyeing additional members and full economic union status. The prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines ponders the future of the OECS and its impact on the wider Caricom group of countries. Writer Brian Caplen