North America

Whoever eventually wins the US election, stock markets will likely do well thanks to Fed QE enabling fiscal stimulus, but polarization itself is a threat.

An SEC-registered transfer agent buying an SEC and Finra-registered broker dealer and alternative trading system may boost trading of private equity security tokens.

One of the biggest capital markets stories this year has been the rise of social bonds.

Within three years a quarter of Europe’s bank branches could be closed – more if the rising M&A wave strengthens. When banks shout about investing in digital for their customers, they want investors to hear they are cutting costs. In the rush to become tech companies could they lose what keeps customers loyal?

Politicians in the US and China warn of decoupling, but at a financial level the two countries are closer than ever. China needs US money and help to build its capital markets. US funds are snapping up mainland securities as they tap into the great investment opportunity of the 2020s. It’s a perfect match.

A dispute with investors means that adding capital raising to direct listings won’t happen as quickly as stock exchanges would like.

For an IPO alternative designed not to give a first-day pop, liquidity is the real measure of success.

A specialist calculation agent reckons now is an ideal time to break into a busy region for equity-linked deals.

Private banks are having a good pandemic, streaming Covid-themed webinars to high net-worth clients. Now they’re competing with each other to hire the biggest names in US politics to explain to wealthy investors what Trump or Biden will do.

As the second wave of the coronavirus hits, The Hut Group may win from new lockdowns after completing the biggest UK IPO in five years and largest ever for a tech company.

There’s no point attacking banks for filing suspicious activity reports as they are required to, but they must work better together with law enforcement to fight financial crime.

Multi-dealer platforms may remain bullish about their prospects, but if other banks follow Citi’s lead and pull away from them, market share may continue to fall.

China’s new ‘dual circulation’ economic system aims to slash imports while keeping export growth high. Analysts say it is simple protectionism and will only lead to more trade conflicts.

Everything points to intense pressure for Hong Kong’s markets: global pandemic, geopolitics, local unrest. Yet HKEX just had a record first half. Its chief executive explains why.

Large banks have spent billions on IT to efficiently process standardized products, leaving an opening for local lenders that offer a banker to talk to.

Brazilian bank set to take in US firm’s domestic bankers and clients.

The bank’s new Development Finance Institution could move the needle in helping developing economies meet the UN’s sustainable development goals. Euromoney talks to managing director Faheen Allibhoy and chair of the governing board Daniel Zelikow.

It seems odd that a good soldier like Mike Corbat should hand to one of his colleagues the tough task of leading Citi through the Covid battlefield.

APFC chief executive Angela Rodell sees opportunity in the Covid market disruption.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing is moving beyond a compliance-focused cancel culture, giving US banks an undeserved chance to win market share from European firms.

Banks could put their stamp on local branches.

The prospectus for the defence technology company’s stock listing contains some extraordinary claims.

By clinging to the rhetoric of protecting fossil fuel jobs, Trump is helping no one.

The US and China are growing apart by the day, and whether Trump or Biden is in the White House come January may make no difference. What does this mean for financial institutions everywhere?

Unprecedented oil volatility and gold at a record high may tempt banks back into commodity trading, but conflicts of interest with ESG goals could quickly emerge.

Goldman Sachs’ chief executive David Solomon could become a symbol of Wall Street indifference to the plight of others.

Private sector digital adoption is surging because of the pandemic. The resultant efficiencies will partially offset pressure on profitability at the bank.

JPMorgan chief executive Jamie Dimon indicated that trading revenues could fall by 50% from their current elevated levels, but the boom has already helped to offset Covid-related loan provisions.

Income, racial and gender inequality have been at the top of the news agenda for months. The financial sector now needs to go beyond programmes, initiatives and box-ticking and embed diversity and inclusion into all it does.

How one US health-insurance plan looked after itself and the providers its policyholders rely on when routine treatment demand started to dry up.