April 2018

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.

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.

What countries do the best job attracting foreign direct investment and how do they do it? Global Finance investigates.

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.

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.

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.