Global Banking

The so-called Panama Papers, more than 11 million leaked documents from a Panamanian law firm, are shining a spotlight on the scope and financial impact of the offshoring financial industry and global efforts to move assets to tax havens or less-regulated jurisdictions.

The banking industry’s leading lights have largely adjusted their business plans to a world of tighter regulations, higher capital requirements and less leverage. Now, they are taking on new competitors by embracing the very information technology that has disrupted their business.

Uncertainty over the future has grown, while growth forecasts have been cut.

The Middle East is no stranger to political and economic uncertainty, but simmering religious and political tensions and stubbornly low oil prices have dealt the region a difficult hand. The question now is: How will countries play in order to win? 

Capital Markets | Fixed Income
A bail-in provision, which places the onus on bondholders and other investors to write down their holdings in the event of winding up a troubled financial institution within the European Union, came into effect on January 1, 2016.

Saudi Arabia is the Gulf Cooperation Council’s largest economy, but major economic, political and social challenges threaten the kingdom’s immediate economic future. Reducing its dependence on oil and gas is now a case of when, not if.

But big, national competitors can’t always offer the local touch and expertise that regional clients prize.

Steady revenue streams make transaction banking attractive during times of volatility. But tech and upstart competitors are remaking the business.

FinTech | Trends
The launch of the blockchain-enabled asset trading platform Nasdaq Linq, Goldman Sachs’ filing of a patent for a securities settlement system based on a new virtual currency called SETLcoin, and the continued rise of blockchain banking consortium R3 all point to a race by financial institutions to harness the power of the blockchain.

The country’s dominant bank sees future growth coming from the small-business market and from regional customers.

Traditional banks are pulling back from lending to small and midsize businesses. Just as happened in the US, funds are filling the void.

Riding a wave of government spending, Kuwait’s financial institutions are thriving despite the drop in petroleum revenues—for now.

Corporate treasurers are parking more cash in separately managed accounts, which can be customized to their investment needs—and often beat money-market-fund returns.

The Full Listing Of Global, Regional, and Country Awards Winners for The Best Digital Banks of 2015

Q+A with Hubert Jolly, Managing Director, Head of Channel & Enterprise Services, Treasury & Trade Solutions at Citi

Q+A with Alex Chen, Executive Vice President of Ctbc Bank

Country Report | Israel
Chinese investors flock to the nation’s cutting-edge tech sector.

Nations slash subsidies in the face of cheap oil and regional conflicts.

The World’s Best Digital Bank Awards was preceded this year by the inaugural Global Finance Digital Bank Conference, held in London. Three panels of digital banking experts shared their experiences of competing against nontraditional providers in the financial technology space.

Q+A with Juraj Bojkovský, Director Of Electronic Distribution Channels At Tatra banka