Global news and insight for corporate financial professionals
The few corporations that have embraced cryptocurrencies tend to be small or troubled. However, spinoff technologies from digital currency such as blockchain are likely to play a major role in corporate finance and international banking.
Companies worldwide struggle to measure and report how well they are “doing good” as they do well for their stakeholders.
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.
While some advisory practices find success in geographic focus, others trot the globe to serve sector-specific clients.
Rising economic tides are lifting equity capital markets and buoying our Best Equity Bank winners.
Good fundamentals and political uncertainty present opportunities for savvy underwriters, despite rising interest rates.
Economic and political factors could force companies to put acquisition plans on hold, making for an unpredictable 2018. But this year’s Best M&A Bank winners are still optimistic about future growth prospects.
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.
Although 2016’s frothy market didn’t repeat, regional M&A advisors in the US aren’t complaining about 2017.
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.
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.
Across the Middle East, where more than half of the population is under the age of 24, educational systems are strained and unemployment rates are high. Even in the oil-rich Gulf, fiscal pressures from lower hydrocarbon revenues are forcing governments to cut back on the largesse their citizens have come to expect.
Meanwhile, US policies toward the region are changing and uncertain. The decline in US reliance on Middle East energy sources, due to the rise of domestic shale oil production, has led some to question America’s long-term commitment to the Middle East. Still, there are other areas where the US and its companies can become more deeply involved in the region than ever before. These areas are primarily related to new technologies, such as fintech, biotech and artificial intelligence.
The Middle East is striving to adapt to rapid economic and social change—with some success.
Egypt is leading the region’s economic rebound, with special attention paid to nurturing the strong growth potential of smaller businesses.
Egypt’s entrepreneurs need innovative financial services delivered via mobile phone to become successful contributors to the economy, says CIB’s chairman and managing director, Hisham Ezz Al-Arab.
Digital banking, cryptocurrencies, ecommerce and fintech start-ups—2017 was a record year for digital investments in the MENA region. But there’s wide variation between countries.
High-speed 5G networks and Cloud data centers are giving digital efforts across the region a big boost.
As the war in Syria enters its final stages, regional and international investors are eyeing postconflict economic opportunities.
Qatar, cornered by neighbors in a blockade, has since become more economically diversified and self-sufficient—and as a result, more independent.
Following a period of relatively subdued infrastructure and real estate activity, 2017 was a better year in the Middle East; and 2018 should record more improvement. Transport-related projects remain essential to the region’s growth, but the most crucial area remains ...
The war in neighboring Syria has taken its toll on Lebanon’s economy, which is demonstrating lackluster growth and high levels of public debt. Could the upcoming May parliamentary elections restore growth and investor confidence?
In late June, when women are finally allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia, many observers predict an uptick in economic activity.
Amid talks of a merger between is bank and two others, Omar Bouhadiba, managing director International Bank of Qatar (IBQ), talks about the domestic market, mitigating impacts of the blockade, banking innovations and what-if scenarios.
As Qatar diversifies its economy away from oil revenues, QInvest CEO Tamim Al-Kawari says it sees strong growth potential across a range of industry sectors ranging from healthcare, agriculture and education to industrials.
Arab Bank CEO Nemeh Sabbagh talks about growing with the region and reaching for opportunities throughout the world.
Bank Muscat CEO Abdul Razak Ali Issa discusses the unique challenges and opportunities of banking in Oman, and how his institution serves clients throughout the region.
Sunil Kaushal, Standard Chartered Bank’s regional chief executive of Africa and the Middle East, speaks with Global Finance about where he sees potential for growth in the high-risk region.
Qatar National Bank (QNB) CEO Ali Ahmed Al-Kuwari says the bank’s sound economic fundamentals and regional diversification aspirations have helped it withstand the impact of Saudi sanctions on Qatar.
While other banks look abroad for growth, Boubyan Bank CEO and vice chairman Adel Al Majed says Boubyan focuses closer to home.
Zuckerberg’s testimony to Congress has only increased public calls for more oversight of social media and how it uses customer data.
Thanks to a new agreement, businesses can assume that the UK will be fully out of the EU by January 2021. The UK will remain in the single market and customs union until the end of 2020.
U.S. President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership prompted the other 11 nations that were party to the agreement to forge ahead in a new pact without the U.S.
Yi Gang's appointment as governor of the People’s Bank of China a sign of policy continuity.
The new chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve is steadily raising rates amid a more volatile economic environment.
Slovakia's new prime minister Peter Pellegrini is struggling the escape the shadow of his predecessor who was forced to resign after the murder of a journalist investigating corrupt politicians.
Newly merged DowDupont will soon split into three publicly traded companies and the largest of the three will be overseen by CEO Jim Fitterling.
M&A activity is heating up as companies take advantage of low-cost debt and large cash reserves.
The Trump administration's economic policy decisions are being shaped by national security concerns.
Chinese state company's purchase of Chilean lithium-maker would create one company with control of 70% of the world's lithium supply.
EON and RWE swap assets to become a market leader.
As many countries move to become cashless societies, Switzerland will vote on whether their central bank should be the only institution capable of creating money.
The creation of an African free-trade area is the first step towards a pan-African single market of 1.2 billion people.
Bans and regulations are encouraging novel workarounds by cryptocurrencies.
Ledger-free blockchain opens up the possibility of central banks utilizing the technology.
Ivory Coast has the fifth highest percentage of adults with mobile money accounts in the world.
As nations enhance their natural offerings with proinvestment policies, FDI investors must weigh myriad factors. Which nations are most attractive? Global Finance offers a new analysis and ranking.
The rigors of Cuba’s business environment make foreign direct investment a very long-term bet.
Southeast Asian nations are benefiting from the return of global growth, with more room to grow capacity and exports—even as wages trend upward.
While enjoying robust growth and launching big infrastructure plans, The Philippines face potential inflation and growing trade deficits.
With popular elected leaders and strong growth in their economies, the sometimes-feisty CEE nations are standing tall—and keeping an eye on corruption and labor costs.
Romania has a troublesome reputation but robust growth, and is working to raise its game through the tech industry and improvements to the business environment.
Taiwan’s economy has thrived on electronics manufacturing. Now, with a tightening labor market and new competitive pressures, the island is figuring out how to reshape its role in the changing global economy.
