International Finance

Category : Banking

Financially unsound: Sorting out finances at the bottom of the UK’s ‘to-do-lists’

More people rank getting fit above paying off their credit card bill as their most pressing ‘life admin’ task September 2, 2013: Financial planning is the task we are putting off the most when it comes to our everyday ‘to-do lists’ according to a new report  released by the Payments Council, the organisation spearheading the new...

Lebanon- Hope Amidst Chaos and Turbulence

Lebanese banks have maintained sound financial standings over this period of economic pressure with healthy liquidity, non performing loans and capital adequacy ratios. August 29 , 2013 : With a total area of 10,452 square kilometres, Lebanon is bordered by the war ravaged Syria to the north and Israel to the South, the war in Syria...

Will the Financial Services Act of 2012 revamp UK’s Financial Regulatory Framework

The Financial Services Act 2012 has come into force from 1st April, 2013 in the U.K.  August 28, 2013 : The Financial Services Act 2012 is aimed at creating a new regulatory framework for the supervision and management of UK’s banking and financial industry. The enforcement of the act will also see the launch of the new...

Financial Engineering for Profitable Financial Instruments

Financial engineers use modelling techniques such as simulations, convexity, duration, value at risk, linear programming and other quantitative techniques to determine future returns, loss scenarios etc.  August 21, 2013 : Many financial engineers opine that financial engineering involves a lot of creativity because the field is pioneering and innovating, furthermore, the evolution of cheaper, faster computers...

Mark Carney’s Forward Guidance

The BoE is following the Federal Reserve in a dramatic shift that links interest rates to unemployment, a signal to the markets of what it will take to push rates higher.  August 13, 2013 : Taking a cue out of the Fed, Bank of England (BoE) Governor Mark Carney said the bank will not consider raising...

Barwa Bank

Barwa Bank Wins Four Awards at International Finance Magazine Financial Awards for Qatar 2013. August 5th, 2013 : Barwa Bank, Qatar’s fastest growing Shari’ah compliant banking service provider, has been named the winner of International Finance Magazine (IFM) Financial Awards for Qatar 2013 for “Best Islamic Bank”, “Fastest Growing Bank”, “Best Sukuk Arranger” and “Best Financial...

Improving Consumer Protection and Financial Literacy in Tajikistan

The World Bank studies recommended bringing Tajikistan’s financial consumer protection regime closer to international good practices. One proposal is to assign responsibility to the National Bank of Tajikistan . July 29, 2013 : Consumer protection is essential for any financial system to function effectively – it not only protects existing consumers but also encourages potential consumers...

Imagining a ‘Smart Country’ – Such as Rwanda

Smart development” and “smart solutions” are the use of information and communication technologies to tackle pressing development problems, such as poverty and access to basic services. 29th july Everyone is talking about “smart development” and “smart solutions” – the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to tackle the most pressing development problems such as...

Poland: Reforming the Public Sector Pay System

With Poland’s difficult fiscal situation, the public sector wages have been frozen since 2010. The Government now anticipates that pressures may arise to increase wages. July 29, 2013:  In Poland, the percentage of the workforce employed in public administration is not particularly high, at least by European standards. Overall spending on public sector wages, at...

Croatia’s Railway Sector: On Route to Efficiency and Competitiveness?

Croatia’s railway system underwent deep reform to prepare for entry to the European transport market. The World Bank outlines how the railway sector can become a greater engine of growth and its railway companies more efficient and competitive. July 29, 2013: Croatia became an integral part of the European transport market when it joined the European...