Joel Kranc

After years of decline, US regional banks bounced back in 2018 on new technology investments, cost-cutting and strategic expansion.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ensnared a major scandal.

A record-setting bond issuance, the largest IPO in decades, and across-border health care takeover highlight 2018’s top deals.

Innovation and a focus on alternative risk transfer products give SocGen an edge in equity derivatives

Trade war threats, Brexit and other geopolitical events put pressure on institutions in 2018. Global Finance’s Best Investment Banks found ways to make the year a success.

Global Finance’s winners are turbocharging investment in new technologies to facilitate existing systems and products while also supporting fintech innovations.

A new McKinsey & Co. report finds that banks are facing margin pressures and experiencing slower growth thanks to tech companies, not all of them fintechs.

The mayor of Louisville, Kentucky is successfully translating his private-sector experience as an innovator into government policies.

Corporate giants have been quick to offer new features based upon the latest technologies.

Global Finance unveils its 25th annual best banks in the world list. The winners have outperformed their peers and provide top-notch service to clients in a challenging environment. 

Hoping for a boost from DC: New legislation could be a boon for regional banks that are already making headway via cost savings, niche markets and new capabilities.

Winners in the inaugural Best Bank for New Financial Technology category have already reserved their spot at the forefront of financial innovation, leveraging blockchain, artificial intelligence, data analytics and the Cloud to change the face of investment banking.

Energy was a major component of deals this year—both fossil fuels and renewables. Green energy also made a big splash, as did one of the largest foreign direct investments into India.

Is low volatility gone, or will it continue in 2018? Winners in the Derivatives categories are hedging their bets on which way the volatility pendulum swings in order to stay ahead of the game.

In most sectors and regions, 2017 saw gains in investment banks’ bottom lines, a welcome return to form. However, new political paradigms and policies could challenge that growth trend in the months ahead.

Asia-Pacific to show most M&A activity. Healthcare, consumer goods, technology sectors to see most deal action.

AI is making a big splash in CFO offices. Where will its promise of efficiency have the greatest impact?  

CFOs and corporate banking vendors are looking at end-to-end digitization and technology solutions to make payments more efficient and effective. 

Northern Trust's Peter Cherecwich fields our questions about how data is impacting the custody business.

This year's winners are finding ways to cope with stricter regulations and rising interest rates.   

Company executives are under greater pressure to respond to global issues, as business and politics intersect in new ways.

The long-awaited Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the European Union and Canada was approved by the European Parliament in mid-February.

Corporate Charity | Trends
Billionaire philanthropy may be growing, but it is also giving rise to a new trend that could change the face of charitable giving.

Canada
The Liberal Party representatives who will form Canada’s next government will field several key cabinet posts. Rookie MP Bill Morneau is taking one of the most coveted—minister of Finance.

To most people the idea of infrastructure investment denotes visions of water systems, highways and bridges, and basic general services usually relegated to municipal authorities. Recently, however, at the Canadian Council for Public Private Partnerships Conference in Toronto, a new model for infrastructure was discussed – that of the “intelligent city.”

NEWSMAKERS: CANADA   By Joel Kranc   Few people were completely surprised when Mark Carney, the head of the Bank of Canada, broke the news earlier this year that he was leaving his post to head up the Bank of England. ...

MILESTONES: GLOBAL   By Joel Kranc   In the wake of the Great Recession, the G20 nations tasked themselves with creating stronger regulatory guidelines for the banking sector that would, hopefully, prevent future meltdowns like the one seen in 2007-2008. Part ...

MILESTONES: GLOBAL   By Joel Kranc   With Spanish banks accepting bailouts to shore up their balance sheets and the eurozone crisis showing no signs of abating, global firms are looking for alternative financing options to maintain liquidity buffers.   ...

NEWSMAKERS: CANADA   By Joel Kranc   In late September, the international financial community was abuzz with the news that Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, had publicly chided the head of a central bank over his views; views that ...