Citi’s Chris Cox talks to Euromoney about building a modern trade finance platform, tackling geographic fragmentation and embracing client-centric innovation.

Pekao SA is a sleeping giant of Polish banking. Euromoney speaks to new chief executive Cezary Stypulkowski about how he is using lessons from his leadership of mBank to revive Pekao. Growing linkage with rival Alior Bank – due to new leadership at their common state owner PZU – is just one part of the story.

This is a guest article by Daniel Klier, chief executive of South Pole.

CaixaBank has by far the biggest share of Spanish banking today, but technology is bringing rapid change and new competitors. Chief executive Gonzalo Gortázar tells Euromoney how it is reimagining its sales channels to attract new business and breed loyalty.

It’s no secret that transaction banking, particularly in the payments space, is at the forefront of innovation and rapid transformation. To keep pace, banks must act swiftly, remain agile, and prioritise the end customer’s experience.

This is a guest article by Gill Lofts, EY global sustainable finance leader.

JPMorgan Chase’s huge tech spending is renowned in banking. Euromoney speaks to the firm’s chief data and analytics officer Teresa Heitsenrether about how the bank is using large language models differently from other banks, and what the future holds for generative AI.

In the face of considerable competition from other payment options, card issuers have recognised the need for a digital, frictionless, secure and cost-efficient solution.

The Global Foreign Exchange Committee will sit down to discuss its proposed changes to the FX Global Code next month in the knowledge that market participants are broadly supportive of its proposals.

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) boasts arguably the Middle East’s most robust global real estate franchise. The bank has an established international presence across both MENA and mature global markets and acts as an aggregator of Middle Eastern liquidity outside the region.

First Abu Dhabi Bank's (FAB) real estate team has been involved in many of the UAE’s most prominent real estate financings over the review period. Providing a comprehensive range of banking services, FAB is a singular solution for its clients' requirements in the region.

Owning a sports team was once a guaranteed way either to lose money or to make a little by spending a lot. Today, the world’s wealthiest people are snapping up elite franchises, backed by an army of wealth managers, data experts and investment bankers. Ivo Voynov, global head of sports finance at Citi Private Bank, explains what turbocharged sports finance, and why it is such an important and profitable business for global private banks.

Citi’s US $25 billion direct lending programme with Apollo has turned heads for its size and scope. It’s a major part of Citi’s new push to grow ancillary earnings such as cash management, in an era when regulators are curtailing banks’ ability to deploy risk in areas like leveraged finance. As big banks everywhere seek new ways to work with private credit, Euromoney reveals how this landmark tie-up will work in practice.

Despite the challenging commercial operating environment in Hong Kong over the past year, Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP), as one of the biggest developers in Hong Kong, has maintained relatively robust business performance thanks to its prudent financial management, high-quality properties and services.

Hong Kong’s largest developer by market capitalization, Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) achieved stable profit growth amid a pressured commercial environment.

Despite the challenging real estate market, Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) has still been able to maintain a stable profit scale, and a series of residential projects launched by the firm has allowed it to out in a significant performance in residential development during the research period.

Relying on its sufficient cash reserves, ultra-low debt ratio and many rental properties, Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) has demonstrated its resilience during the downturn in the real estate market during the past year.

Sun Hung Kai Properties’ High Speed Rail West Kowloon Terminus project in Hong Kong, slated for completion in 2025, stands as the developer’s most prominent mixed-use project.

Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) has exhibited robust financial performance amid challenging conditions in the global residential market.

Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP), a leading Hong Kong-listed developer since 1972, has had an incredibly strong review period. The developer’s projects over 2024 led to sales surpassing HK$37.5 billion ($4.9 million). As of 30 June 2024, SHKP subsidiaries Hong Yip Service Company and Kai Shing Management Services managed over 293 million sq ft of residential and non-residential floor area across Hong Kong and the mainland.

With the election of Donald Trump as the next US president, the future of financial regulation and its impact on the country's equity markets has become a key focus for industry participants. After years of SEC-driven regulatory crackdowns, the new administration could now turn the tide – which many believe may supercharge the US equities market.  

With a 25-year presence in Colombia, Colliers has become a strategic partner to its clients, offering a comprehensive portfolio of integrated real estate services, delivered directly. The firm has offices in five Colombian cities, and a nationwide presence supported by a team of more than 470 employees.

Cushman & Wakefield’s Peru office provides specialized services in commercial real estate, focusing on offices, industrial, logistics, and retail sectors. During the review period, it has delivered customized, lifecycle services tailored to corporate clients, encompassing leasing, facility management, and operational continuity. More specifically, Cushman & Wakefield prioritized office market development, addressing Lima’s high vacancy rates with strategic projects in office leasing and construction.

With over 206,460 sqm of gross leasable area, Red Megacentro is a leading industrial real estate company specializing in warehouses and self-storage facilities in Peru and Latin America. Its revenue and EBITDA grew by 10% and 8% respectively, with US$19 million of that generated from Peru, comprising 12% of the company's total EBITDA distribution. Megacentro manages over 9,000 tenants with long-term relationships averaging eight years. Its diverse client base, where no single client represents more than 6% of billing, mitigates its liquidity risk.

Blackstone’s strategic approach to real estate investment has maintained its position as the market leader in Sweden, with an ability to deliver high-quality, sustainable developments that meet the evolving needs of the market.

In a proactive year of transactional activity, EFG Hermes was involved in some of the most prominent real estate advisory mandates in Egypt.

Mashreq Bank has continued to finance some of Bahrain’s most prominent real estate projects.

Nordanö solidified its position as a consultant market leader and innovator in the industry over the review period. With a 30% market share in residential transactions since 2016 and a 28% share in Stockholm office transactions since 2011, Nordanö has consistently demonstrated its deep expertise and dominance in key sectors, as shown by MSCI data.

Skanska has been showcasing its innovation and dedication to sustainability in several notable projects over the review period. Despite market challenges, the firm has pushed boundaries with eco-friendly construction practices and groundbreaking developments.

Colliers’ Denmark performance during the review period reflects its leadership across transactions, capital markets, and innovative client services. Colliers has a commanding presence in Denmark’s real estate market, securing an average 31% share of brokered transactions, including a standout 36.5% market share in deals under DKr100 million ($14.4 million). Its stronghold in the Triangle Region of Jutland, with 33% of all sales, highlights Colliers’ extensive reach and expertise.