For years, Deutsche Bank's Asian equity business was little more than an also-ran. The bank had a reputation for aggressive tactics and profligate hiring but failed to build a credible business, to the amusement of rivals. But with new management hired to fix the problems, Deutsche seems to be getting it right.

If your competitors are beating you to the most lucrative deals, it could be they're better at pressing the flesh. Wooing potential clients over drinks or dinner is as much a part of a banker's job as making formal pitches.

In 20 months as governor, Alfonso Prat-Gay built a credible central bank from almost nothing, managed the money supply brilliantly, oversaw currency stability, kept rates low and even began whipping the banking sector into shape. For these achievements, he is Euromoney's central bank governor of the year. But he also strove for greater independence for the central bank. Now, on the eve of the country's crucial bond exchange, president Nestor Kirchner has chosen to dispense with Argentina's most internationally respected policymaker.

Is that spare $400 million giving you a headache? Do you already have the private jet, the yacht, art collection, international properties and a charitable foundation? Maybe you now need your own team of dedicated advisers to help you oversee your family's wealth. How about a family office?