
Small Is Beautiful
Encouraged by government stimulus programs, banks are finding new ways to finance SMEs. Once the economy recovers, will the surge of interest recede?
REVEALING INNOVATION By Rebecca Brace A number of new technology solutions building a presence, thanks to SWIFT’s annual start-up challenge, hold the promise of making life easier in corporate treasury and financial management. There are plenty of ...
CORPORATE FINANCING NEWS: FOREIGN EXCHANGE By Gordon Platt Volatility has returned to the currency markets, as participants weigh the likelihood that the Federal Reserve could dial back on its purchases of bonds if the US economy improves. A relatively ...
CORPORATE FINANCING NEWS: FOREIGN EXCHANGE By Gordon Platt The dollar strengthened following a surprisingly strong US employment report for April, while the European Central Bank cut rates and hinted at more monetary policy easing to come. Analysts say the US ...
BRIGHT STARS By Thomas Clouse, Jonathan Gregson, Antonio Guerrero & Gordon Platt Following a year that included some of the biggest scandals in banking history—the London Whale, the Libor rate-fixing scandal, widespread money laundering, insider trading, rogue trading and ...
CORPORATE FINANCING NEWS: FOREIGN EXCHANGE By Gordon Platt The euro slumped to a four-month low in the aftermath of the bailout of Cyprus, as market participants worried about the implications for other countries on the periphery of the eurozone. ...
MILESTONES: EMERGING MARKETS By Erik Heinrich The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries have agreed to set up a development bank to better serve their economic needs and reduce their reliance on Western financial institutions. The ...
The extraordinary monetary moves of Haruhiko Kuroda, the new governor of the Bank of Japan, have dominated economic commentaries for the past few weeks...
ENGINEERING THE NEW TURKEY By Justin Keay Major infrastructure investments and improved economic strength are just two of a number of positive developments to come out of Turkey in the past year. Ankara stunned investors in February ...
CHANGE IS AFOOT By Paul Mackintosh Central & Eastern European countries are trying hard to differentiate themselves from their southwestern neighbors. Corporates in the region are dealing with a new playing field as many assets once owned by ...
MEETING POINT By Dan Keeler Panama is working hard to become the dominant corporate hub in Central America. With its stable and open economy and its uniquely favorable location as the bridge between North and South America, ...
A DECOUPLING IN THE WORKS By Udayan Gupta Intraregional investment within Asia is starting to take hold—reducing reliance on demand from developed markets. When Essar Power, a unit of Asian energy giant Essar Energy, raised approximately $900 ...
NO LONGER JUST A GAME? By Ronald Fink The recent spate of currency devaluation will start to have a serious impact unless global leaders focus on economic fundamentals, rather than figments. The yen is down 25% against ...
MILESTONES: GLOBAL By Gilly Wright Japanese financial group ORIX’s acquisition of a 90.1% share of Dutch asset management company Robeco from Rabobank for $2.6 billion is both the largest Japanese outbound deal so far this year and a reflection of ...
CORPORATE FINANCING NEWS: FOREIGN EXCHANGE By Gordon Platt The dollar has been in a long-term declining trend against the major currencies for nearly a decade, losing about 40% in value, but analysts say it is no longer weakening ...
CORPORATE FINANCING NEWS: GLOBAL EQUITY/DRS By Gordon Platt A rising tide lifts all ships, and the bull market in stocks is enabling a number of technology and housing-related companies, particularly in the US, to float initial public offerings. ...
ADAPT TO SURVIVE By Michael Shari A unique banking system long revered as a safe haven for the world’s tax dodgers now faces gut-wrenching transformation in order to endure. For centuries Swiss banks have thrived on absolute ...
GAZPROM DOUBLES PROFITS AS IT PREPARES FOR “EFFICIENCY” AUDIT By Kim Iskyan Gas giant Gazprom reported that net profit doubled in the third quarter of 2012, thanks to forex gains. The results came just days after the ...
CORPORATE FINANCING NEWS: FOREIGN EXCHANGE By Gordon Platt The euro was the star of the major currencies in January, as it soared to a 14-month high against the dollar and a 33-month high against the Japanese yen. Its strength reflects ...
VIVID LANDSCAPE IN FOREST PRODUCTS By Antonio Guerrero Despite currency volatility and slowing demand from China and Europe, Brazil, Chile and other key Latin American markets continue to churn out wood pulp for export, and the sector is ...
STAKING ITS CLAIM By Dan Keeler A history of stability, a growing middle class and a rapidly expanding economy are among the key assets of this West African gem. Photo Credits: REUTERS / YAW BIBINI Ghana has ...