Talk of de-dollarization is back on the table after new data from the US Treasury Department revealed that China offloaded close to $50 billion in US Treasuries in the first quarter and had reduced its holdings by more than $100 billion in the year through to March 2023. The revelations come as China and the US are locked in an increasingly tense stand-off involving trade and China’s intentions toward Taiwan. Belgium, which is often referenced as a proxy custodian for China’s debt holdings, reportedly disposed of more than $20 billion of Treasuries in the same period. Not everyone is convinced ..read more

Southeast Asian economies survived the pandemic and post-pandemic pitfalls in solid shape. Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam still rank among the world’s fastest growing large nations. The region’s financial center, Singapore, has expanded as global capital flees competing Hong Kong. So why is Southeast Asia’s startup engine stalling?   Venture capital and private equity (VC/PE) flows in most regions have slowed as central banks raised interest rates to combat inflation. In Southeast Asia the flow has turned into a drought. VC/PE and infrastructure investment in the 10-nation region ..read more

Global banking aced 2023 despite the drama of bank failures. The banking industry emerged triumphant in 2023, a year that had threatened to be catastrophic. Rapid industry intervention averted the nightmare scenario of a contagion-driven financial crisis fueled by multiple bank failures in the US and Europe. Last year’s mini-crisis of bank failures was best seen as the result of idiosyncratic management lassitude at the eventually rescued banks. However, the exposed risks inherent in app-based banking and the potential for bank collapse based on rapid mass deposit withdrawals provided a wake-u ..read more

President Javier Milei’s currency moves give markets room for planning, but his ambitious economic restructuring faces roadblocks. For the better part of 30 years, Argentina has been making economic headlines for the wrong reasons. Its persistent and serious economic and social crisis led the country to default on its international sovereign debt in 2001, 2014 and, most recently, 2020. The ongoing credit and currency crisis has left Argentina with the equivalent of only about 5% of GDP currently available in credit lines and mortgages; more functional economies tend to have the equivalent of a ..read more

Global banking aced 2023 despite the drama of bank failures. The banking industry emerged triumphant in 2023, a year that had threatened to be catastrophic. Rapid industry intervention averted the nightmare scenario of a contagion-driven financial crisis fueled by multiple bank failures in the US and Europe. Last year’s mini-crisis of bank failures was best seen as the result of idiosyncratic management lassitude at the eventually rescued banks. However, the exposed risks inherent in app-based banking and the potential for bank collapse based on rapid mass deposit withdrawals provided a wake-u ..read more

Global Finance held its 25th annual Best Investment Bank and the Sustainable Finance awards at Searcy’s in London on April 30th. The awards ceremony brought together attendees from across the globe at the iconic Gherkin on St. Mary’s Axe in the heart of the City of London. Societe Generale was awarded the World’s Best Bank for Sustainable Finance and clickthrough for highlights from a fantastic evening celebrating the institutions pushing the agenda for sustainability financing and investment banking activity globally. 2024 Award Winners Click below to access the Global Finance Coverage of ..read more

Leading Middle Eastern banks offer a bumper crop of online services. With their deep knowledge of domestic and regional markets, the regional and country winners as Best Banks in the Middle East continue demonstrating resilience and innovation in navigating the region’s many complex economic and geopolitical challenges. In addition to enhancing existing services, these banks are aggressively launching new products that are increasingly focused and specialized to serve their country’s many different demographics. Internal development labs are fueling this product growth in many cases. At the sa ..read more

Global banking aced 2023 despite the drama of bank failures. The banking industry emerged triumphant in 2023, a year that had threatened to be catastrophic. Rapid industry intervention averted the nightmare scenario of a contagion-driven financial crisis fueled by multiple bank failures in the US and Europe. Last year’s mini-crisis of bank failures was best seen as the result of idiosyncratic management lassitude at the eventually rescued banks. However, the exposed risks inherent in app-based banking and the potential for bank collapse based on rapid mass deposit withdrawals provided a wake-u ..read more

Nearshoring, tourism boom and increased remittances add to 2023 growth. According to International Monetary Fund estimates, the region (excluding Guyana, which grew an eye-popping 39.2% this year) expanded by 9.8%, exceeding the global growth rate of 3.1%. Among the region’s leading economies, Antigua and Barbuda’s solid 5.7% in GDP activity and Barbados’ 4.4% expansion have helped pave the way for the region’s robust activity. The hot regional economic activity drove profitability upward and provided a solid foundation for the region’s financial industry. This was mainly due to increased loan ..read more

Leading banks deliver record returns. Banks in Africa have recently been operating in challenging environments, owing to economic turmoil. The stress factor has been particularly elevated in big economies. Amid the harsh environment, African banks’ top leadership and management have demonstrated shrewdness and prowess. Instead of crumbling, banks remain resilient. Some are even posting record-breaking profits. Local currency crises in Egypt and Nigeria have caused havoc. The ripple effects for banks have heightened risks to asset quality. In South Africa, sluggishness in critical sectors like ..read more