LATEST ARTICLES FROM EDITOR
Nordic property sector builds on firm foundations
With a track record of regular growth, the Nordic property sector presents an attractive destination for investors. High quality assets and political stability suggest that the environment will remain a good risk for the foreseeable future. Sverrir Thór, the editor, economics and finance, Fastighetsnytt, reports.
Deals of the year 2012
The Banker’s Deals of the Year for 2012 celebrate the most impressive transactions in FIG capital raising, M&A, corporate and SSA bonds, infrastructure and project finance, loans, structured finance, equities, restructuring, Islamic finance, and this year a newly added trade finance category. Many deals were undertaken in very difficult market conditions, while banks from emerging markets are noticeably playing a larger role in the top transactions in their countries.
Finance Minister of the Year 2012 - Global and Asia-Pacific
Being a country’s finance minister may appear to be something of a poisoned chalice in the current economic environment, but there are still plenty of politicans doing sterling work in steering their countries through the aftermath of the global crisis. The Banker salutes the finest of these.
Finance Minister of the Year 2012
Being a country’s finance minister may appear to be something of a poisoned chalice in the current economic environment, but there are still plenty of politicans doing sterling work in steering their countries through the aftermath of the global crisis. The Banker salutes the finest of these.
Central Bank Governor of the Year 2012 - Global and Americas
The role of central bank governor has come under increasing scrutiny over the past 12 months as markets in the developed world continued to wobble. The Banker recognises those who have led their countries’ economies through what has been another tumultuous year.
Central Bank Governor of the Year 2012
The role of central bank governor has come under increasing scrutiny over the past 12 months as markets in the developed world continued to wobble. The Banker recognises those who have led their countries’ economies through what has been another tumultuous year.
Commerzbank's bold move is a blueprint for other German banks
Commerzbank’s bold liability management exercise – the first to address Basel III at both ends of the capital structure – shows that banks need not wait for national and European regulators to finalise minimum capital requirements. It also serves as a possible blueprint for Germany’s other banks to strengthen their capital base.
Bonus moves curb traders' risk appetite and impact hedging
As the bankers' bonus season arrives and the world's media ogle the figures, something seems to have gone missing in the debate. One of the recommendations urged by regulators on both sides of the Atlantic, backed up with the threat of further intervention if ignored, was to change the way in which bonuses are paid, rather than the size of them.
Euro crisis could bring federalism by back door
Eurosceptics, many of them in the UK, have so far rejoiced at the crisis in the eurozone, believing it has proven that they were right all along – a monetary union without fiscal union makes economic nonsense. The crisis, say the eurosceptics, exposes the euro as a largely political project.
Rethinking risk-weighting
Every analyst has their own spin on what the impact of Basel III might be, and Bernard de Longevialle’s financial institutions team at credit ratings agency Standard & Poor’s has now added its own 16-page report. One of the most striking observations is the effect that tougher risk-weights on banks’ assets could have on certain banks that had recorded relatively healthy capital adequacy ratios under Basel II.