Establishing a corporation in 2010 to create and issue short-term Shariah-compliant financial instruments to improve cross-border Islamic liquidity management was a great idea. And it still is – despite the group not conducting a single issue or releasing any press statements.

3i focuses on middle market; More companies seek partners

Support sought from Samruk-Kazyna; Upheaval after Kulibayev sacking

For many in the capital markets, 2011 was a year to forget. But it’s in times of crisis that the best advisers come to the fore. Which deals hit the sweet spots over the past 12 months, when markets were like a box of chocolates – you never knew what you were going to get?

Weak equities, developments in DCM and intra-regional M&A trends make for an interesting – if eclectic – mix of Latin American deals of the year

A European sovereign debt crisis, looming bank regulation, volatile markets – 2011 was a challenging year for those managing money for the world’s wealthiest individuals. The heads of nine of the largest global private banks discuss how they are navigating the turbulence and what they expect of 2012.

With eurozone turmoil spilling over into emerging Europe it took special skills, tenacity and organization to get deals away

Local private banks in the Middle East are losing out as the region’s wealthy react to the Arab Spring.

It was a year that many in banking would like to forget. But adversity can be the mother of invention and an impressive array of transactions shone through the gloom: evidence of the market’s resilience in the face of everything macroeconomic headwinds can throw at it

The Spanish bank began its systematic wealth-management strategy in Latin America in 2007. It has paid off handsomely in our latest survey. But other banks are pushing hard to beat it.

In the Middle East last year, borrowers sought to diversify sources of financing, while in Africa new issuers added to the continent’s growing recognition on global markets

With public spending being cut, wealthy individuals are putting more of their philanthropic dollars to work through social-impact investing. Companies are being set up to provide advice and products, and the private banks need to get on board.

Despite internationalization, local is still considered best when it comes to private banking advice. To find out why, Euromoney spoke to two of the sector’s leading figures.

Barclays Wealth has reinvented itself in just five years. With the benefit of heavy investment, it has developed a unique model of interacting with clients – using behavioural finance. It is targeting only high-net-worth clients and expanding globally.

While global and regional banks lead the results in Euromoney’s private banking survey for Central and Eastern Europe, local specialist wealth managers are rising up the ranks in many countries.

Amidst the financial gloom of 2011, Asia was a beacon of hope: Thailand’s markets remained remarkably resilient, the dim sum market approached maturity and depth, and there were standout deals from India and China – but Indonesia dazzled the most

To be the best, firms need positions of strength in the US, Europe and emerging markets. Being big in only two regions is no longer enough.

Lobbying intensifies over OTFs; Isda, BBA voice concern

UK and Hong Kong sign deal; London in leading position

EU infringement process launched; Orban backs down

It has been a questionable start to the year’s equity transactions in Brazil. Two companies are marketing deals – Seabras Serviços de Petróleo and Brasil Travel – and bankers are hoping they fare well to give some much needed momentum to a market that languished in 2011.

Appetite for deals beyond plain vanilla; Multiple deals marketing concurrently

Government pursues key reforms; Strikes spur energy-sector shake-up

Dire economic data all round; But doubts persist on conditionality and future burdens

ECB injection lifts risk sentiment; Low-rate prospect boosts appeal

Shift in investment approach; CDS index strategies explored

Low interest rates key factor; All eyes on Cementos Pacasmayo

Taiwanese focus on Fujian; Hua Nan logical trailblazer

Opening for foreign investors will have only long-term effects; QFIs force for stability