For Barclays to succeed in the new South Africa, it must strengthen newly acquired Absa's efficiency and then both must learn how to tap the country’s burgeoning black middle class. Meanwhile, their efforts are shaking up a heavily concentrated banking sector. 

The purchase of developing country banks by global banks can be mutually beneficial. But accompanying corporate governance issues such as a lack of transparency must be addressed. Guillermo Ortiz explains.

Growth powered by political motives is unsustainable and will lead to instability, warns Arthur Waldron.

Banking in India and China has a long way to go to match global comparisons, but both countries will get there in the end.

Our listing shows that globalisation has boosted the banking sector and the three years of record gains can certainly be extended.

Welcome to a truly memorable edition of The Banker. Our Top 1000 edition has for many years become a collector’s item and this year is no exception. As well as pages of tables and figures detailing the world’s leading banks (see page 177 onwards), this issue contains a breadth of coverage that, even by the standards of our global and universal palette, is still pretty impressive.

Minister of finance Michalis Sarris insists economic indicators prove Cyprus is on track for euro adoption.

Like the machine-breaking Luddites of the Industrial Revolution, those behind the new wave of protectionism are posing a great threat to progress and economic growth, says Donald L Evans.

Gabriel Burstein explains why hedge funds are a poor long-term bet, despite a recent upsurge in returns.

Three mid-sized Chilean banks have handed their entire back-office and IT operations to national telecoms carrier Entel.