At the IMF/WB meetings the great and the good of the international bond markets gathered to sell their wares to sovereign and supranational issuers. These potential clients remain some of the trophy issuers in debt capital markets, but they are not the kings of issuers they once were.

The Special Administrative Region's regulator has botched its attempt to clean up the thorny issue of pre-deal research.

The clubby world of private banking is under threat. The UBS/Julius Baer deal shows how tough it will be for foreign banks to break into the market.

Competition in clearing and settlement doesn't work. The US shows that only a centralized clearing system can promote vigorous exchange competition.

There's plenty of capital available to borrowers at attractive prices. But the headline numbers mask the complex dynamics at work.

The Lebanese government is believed to be considering a $500 million international bond issue to cover debt payments reaching maturity.

Monolines hire London ABS bankers

Contrary to popular belief, management meetings might be a complete waste of time for fund managers.

Wreathed in a thick summer smog, it seems that Kuala Lumpur is not so much what tourist ads call "truly Asia" as "truly hazier". But the decision to publish air pollution data – previously a state secret – is at least a signal that Malaysia's politics are becoming clearer.

Distressed companies and their creditors look to advisory boutique to "bring calm to apparent cataclysms".

Companies from emerging markets are on the acquisition trail, and their targets now include firms in North America and Europe. Sudip Roy reports on a trend that could be the biggest driver of global M&A transactions within the next few years.

Chairman Raymond Baer describes Julius Baer's deal as truly transformational. A rising stock price suggests investors agree. Analysts identify the private bank, after the purchase of SBC Wealth Management, as the outstanding restructuring story in European banking. But this deal wasn't what the market expected.

Platform's embarrassing slowdowns are specific not systemic, company says.

Wachovia's Ken Thompson wants his firm to be the best financial institution in the US. His ambitions extend to investment banking. As Wachovia makes its move on Wall Street, Kathryn Tully spoke to Thompson and the rest of his management team. Should the traditional bulge bracket be concerned?