Growth Despite Setbacks Gregson, Jonathan
Global Finance,
05/2021, Volume:
35, Issue:
5
Trade Publication Article
The main challenges facing European banks as they entered 2020 were relatively slow economic growth coupled with ultralow interest rates, while strong competition in growing market segments such as ...mortgages led to margin compression. The more successful had already invested heavily in digitization and, since the pandemic acted as an accelerator to the migration of customers to digital channels, these banks were also able to accelerate the rationalization of their branch networks, thereby reducing their cost base over the long term. Gortázar says the key drivers of the bank's performance were "sustained market share and volume growth throughout the year, generating operating leverage and improving efficiency, while further reinforcing our strong balance sheet. "The merger," says Gortázar, "created the undisputed leader in the Spanish financial services sector and was a landmark transaction in the European banking consolidation process.
Up To The Challenge Gregson, Jonathan
Global Finance,
05/2021, Volume:
35, Issue:
5
Trade Publication Article
...the world's banks responded to these challenges remarkably well. Jonathan Gregson REGIONAL WINNERSCOUNTRY AND TERRITORY WINNERS COUNTRY AND TERRITORY WINNERS METHODOLOGY Global Finance editors, ...with input from industry analysts, corporate executives and technology experts, select the winners for the Best Bank Awards using information provided in entries and independent research based on a set of both objective and subjective factors. Once we have narrowed the field, our final criteria include scope of global coverage, size of staff, customer service, risk management, range of products and services, execution skills and smart use of technology.
The Kingdom's Fintech Bet Gregson, Jonathan
Global Finance,
04/2021, Volume:
35, Issue:
4
Trade Publication Article
Earlier this year, this ambition received i boost in the form of a new partnership with FinTech Aviv, Israel's fintech networking community, following moves toward the normalization of relations ...between the two countries. ...encouraging fintech companies and entrepreneurs to locate in Bahrain has the support of Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad A1 Khalifa, who took over as prime minister last November following the death of his deeply conservative great uncle. Bahrain is the longest-established financial center in the region and is home to more than 380 financial institutions, observes Dalai Buhejji, executive director of Investment Origination at the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), or third-party providers offering new solutions, there is a large pool of banks to test them locally". The only licensed open-banking platform in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, Tarabut Gateway graduated from the regulatory sandbox and now provides access to a global network of banks and financial institutions.
A Shift To Wealth Preservation Gregson, Jonathan
Global Finance,
12/2020, Volume:
34, Issue:
11
Trade Publication Article
BEST PRIVATE BANK FOR ENTREPRENEURS BNP PARIBAS The private banking arm of France's largest bank has long benefited from strong group investment in technology and the in-house expertise and clout of ...its investment banking colleagues. BEST PRIVATE BANK FOR BUSINESS OWNERS SANTANDER It is scarcely surprising that a bank deeply imbued with family tradition has a strong focus on family-owned businesses and SMEs- not only in its Spanish home market but in Portugal, Poland, the UK and across Latin America. Under its new boss at its Geneva headquarters, Nicolas Barquero (previously head of funds for Deutsche Bank Wealth Management in Europe), Santander Private Banking aims to build on its longstanding relationships with business owners.
BEST PRIVATE BANK IN CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE UNICREDIT UniCredit's competitive advantage is its portfolio modeling team's Global Investment Strategy, which informs its local bankers' asset ...allocation and other key investment decisions. Open architecture builds upon strong partnerships with top global asset managers, enabling client access to a broad range of investment opportunities, including alternatives and private equity, that are increasingly in demand as clients seek greater risk diversification during the Covid crisis. BEST PRIVATE BANK FOR BUSINESS OWNERS RAIFFEISEN BANK INTERNATIONAL Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) has a broad geographic presence across the CEE region and enjoys strong support from the Vienna-based institution's investment banking and asset management teams.
Development Lenders Plug Gap Gregson, Jonathan
Global Finance,
10/2020, Volume:
34, Issue:
9
Trade Publication Article
...infrastructure projects currently under construction-especia.ly in power and renewable energy-have generally been able to maintain on-site activity. ...it is expected tha: long-term finance from ...commercial lenders, which was already scarce, will significantly dry up in the coming months and will particularly affect the infrastructure finance market." The Trade Development Bank plays a critical role in addressing Africa's estimated $120 billion trade finance gap.Proos, Ninety One: If developmental funds can provide support to companies to get through this cycle, it will make investors more comfortable about continuing to invest in Africa.Moola, Ninety One: Tighter financial conditions make governments more reluctant to commit to long-dated infrastructure projects.
