Schadenfreude greeted the demise earlier this year of Violy Byorum & Partners. Founder Violy McCausland's uncompromising style had irked those inside and outside the firm. Now she's trying again, this time on her own.

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What are the defining traits that good investment bankers share? Energy, creativity, entrepreneurship, willingness and ability to take risk, the strength of intelligence to form independent views of the world and the courage to back them: all traits that tend to be driven out of people when they become institutionalized within large organizations under cynical leaders. Everyone toiling at the coalface in a large bank should take lessons from the stories that follow of those who have quit to set up on their own. There's never been a better time to do it.

After falling out with the US over access to Iraq, Turkey is regaining favour with the west as its economy revives. Its long-term goal is EU membership, but how far away does that target remain?

An embarrassing and potentially damaging controversy is emerging in Islamic equity funds. Because of the way the vast majority have been handled by mainstream brokers, many may not be as Shariah-compliant as investing customers would expect.

Strong growth and enhanced political stability appear to have broken down the barriers to foreign investment in Russia. But since much of what flows is disguised in various ways, it's hard to state precise figures.

With inflation falling in Brazil, the days when banks could grow fat on government paper are almost over. New business lines, consolidation and retrenchment are high on the agenda and there are persistent rumours that Citibank will beef up its presence in Latin America's biggest economy.

Banking talent is always newsworthy, especially when it is unearthed in a dimly lit bar and involves Elvis renditions. The bar, in London's Canary Wharf, is a haunt of Gareth Jones, a salesman at BNY Securities. The event was the inaugural public gig of The Dealers.

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Issuer: Islamic Development Bank

The murder of prime minister Zoran Djindjic and the ousting of central bank governor Mladjan Dinkic hurt Serbia's free-market reforms. Now the government's hopes lie in privatization.

All numbers in this directory are Dubai area code prefix (04) unless stated otherwise. If dialling from abroad prefix the number with country code (+971 4). If you have difficulty with the numbers listed below, please call directory enquiries on (04) 180, or refer to your domestic international directory enquiries service if calling from overseas. While numbers are subject to change, we have made every effort to ensure the information in this handbook is correct.

Results of Euromoney's corporate governance poll suggest that the efforts a company makes to ensure appropriate practices are reflected in its share price.

Junk mail drives most westerners mad. But if a Russian gets a personally addressed letter on his birthday offering a tempting gift at half price he might be so pleased he will include a thank-you note with his order.

After two years' frantic activity and expenditure banks are still struggling to understand, let alone control, terrorist financing. Governments have failed to support the financial community with resources, skills and systems. The implications for global security are alarming.

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Promontory Financial; Scalene Capital Management; USPowergen; Recovery Partners; Schechter & Co; Van Oss