Firms are now aggressively hiring talent to compete more effectively in the investment research arena, with the top 30 brokers adding on a combined 1,400 years of experience to their ranks. What should brokers be doing to take advantage of the new research landscape – and who will succeed in the inevitable journey towards joint payments?

Recent developments in the MTF space point to a sustained improvement in liquidity for FX options trading, with market participants finding solutions to mitigate the impact of regulation and margin requirements.

ESMA’s consultation on the criteria for establishing and assessing the effectiveness of investment firms’ order execution policies has exposed the diversity of opinion on the merits of a consolidated tape for OTC derivatives.

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.

The success of e-CNY, despite its retail characteristics, could be attributed to a strong government push, effective collaboration with banks and e-platforms, and, most importantly, a win-win mentality that inspired the two-tier channel design.

A second Donald Trump presidency could be a game changer for banks across the US. Senior bank executives must think deeply not just about the potential for regulatory relief and higher investment banking revenue, but also – beyond the big four – about new scope to make transformational strategic moves.

Banks are going to great lengths to digitise trade processes while acknowledging the various obstacles to completely removing manual or paper-based transactions.

Six years after the Paris Agreement and the world is still looking for enablers to accelerate the net-zero journey. Many see trade finance instruments as the next significant step but that requires accurate and structured data, robust reporting capabilities, and streamlined processes. Key leading players in the area tell Euromoney what is changing in the world of sustainable trade finance.

Cost-conscious FX clients appear to be going to great lengths to avoid upfront payments for volatility protection, despite the lack of clarity around Fed monetary policy and the potential impact of political and geopolitical factors over the remainder of the year.

US and Canadian banks may have had a head start in generative AI, but some European banks are trying to close the gap. Those in charge of harnessing the technology at big banks in Europe say they are gaining confidence in its use: adapting marketing shots to certain client profiles, helping sales managers to sift through product policies and much more.

In a deal that has reshaped Hong Kong’s IPO landscape, China’s home-appliance giant Midea successfully raised $4.6 billion in September, marking the city’s largest offering in years. From showcasing Midea’s transformative B2B growth to navigating the complexities of the listing process, Euromoney explores the key factors that led to the company's triumphant debut – and its implications for the future of Hong Kong's IPO market.

Javier Rodríguez Soler, BBVA’s global head of sustainability and corporate and investment banking, says an acquisition of Banco Sabadell would boost his division’s international standing. But BBVA is already eyeing a leading role in banking decarbonisation around the world, especially in the US. Partnerships with private equity companies, and investments in cleantech funds, are among the ways it is pursuing that goal.

Corporate supply chains are facing logistic, shipping and operational challenges while also under pressure from geopolitical tensions and natural disasters, as highlighted by trade leaders at the world’s leading banks in Euromoney’s Trade Finance Survey 2024.

With Swiggy and Hyundai Motor India filing for big-ticket IPOs, India’s primary capital markets are on a tear. This could be the best year for listings in its history. Can it continue? A useful parallel for global investors can be drawn with China 20 years ago, when the Asian superpower’s markets suddenly sparked into life.

Balancing growth and risk is a delicate task for banks. By understanding client needs and leverage their technology capabilities, banks can not only maintain this balance but also tap into new opportunities in emerging industries. The partnership between Deutsche Bank and Chinese fintech XTransfer, highlighted by their recent success in Thailand, serves as a prime example of how tailored solutions and innovative processes can drive growth and operational efficiency.

While treasurers see promise in regulatory changes such as ISO 20022 and the digital euro, concerns over compliance pressures and potential disruptions are mounting, according to the Corporate Treasurers on Key Trends in Cash Management report, published by Euromoney earlier this month.

The role of corporate treasurers is evolving into a strategic function, driven by internal and external factors. Internally, treasurers are facing increased demands from the C-suite and business leaders. Externally, they must navigate rapid changes in real-time payments, complex liquidity and cash-management needs.

As HSBC retrenches from domestic business on the continent, BNP Paribas steps up its ambition in Europe’s biggest economy – focusing largely on the family-owned Mittelstand.

If UniCredit is close to acquiring Commerzbank, it’s not just the result of a quick and crafty deal in the equities market. It comes after years of rebuilding the bank’s financial strength and reputation. Euromoney recalls how the Italian bank came back from the brink – ready to get into a position to buy Commerz.

Corporate treasurers face a range of challenges in producing accurate liquidity forecasts. Not all of them can be addressed by technology alone.

Digital banks often struggle with soaring customer acquisition costs in saturated markets. Hong Kong’s ZA Bank, which announced its first monthly profit last week, can offer valuable lessons for firms navigating similar challenges.

Its acquisition of the Belgian private bank and asset manager offers Indosuez a chance to bulk up fast in key European markets. Its chief executive Jacques Prost sits down… erm, stands up with Euromoney to discuss the firm’s future.

Direct lending may have benefitted from the resurgence in US private equity buy outs in the first half of the year, but there may still be a return to syndicated markets.

Bullish US companies are looking beyond historically high interest rates and tight lending standards when it comes to commercial lending.

A small three-month deal from one of the bond market’s most frequent issuers shows the potential for on-chain delivery versus payment in central bank money. But the obstacles to widespread use of blockchains remain.

Having taken a hammering following Mexico’s election results and the Brazilian president's comments on fiscal consolidation, the prospects for the key Latin American currencies over the remainder of 2024 are unclear.

Proponents of banking-as-a-service will be hoping that UniCredit’s decision to acquire Aion Bank and Vodeno marks a turning point in a sector that has experienced considerable volatility.

Investing in Latin America’s payment fintechs is having a moment – but will the region’s central banks kill off their revenue model by adopting their own version of Brazil’s PIX?

New institutional investors are providing liquidity to longstanding Revolut employees and giving a valuation proof point to its stunning revenue and profit growth.

Transaction banks in Asia will have to up their game to satisfy corporates who now view a strong digital offering as a prerequisite to maintaining relationships.