The Emirates’ economy has recovered much of the ground it lost in 2008. The country’s banks are taking advantage by growing strongly. Is there a danger of another round of overheating?

Some banks are national powerhouses, building out across the region; others are already regional players, with individual markets creating something greater than the sum of their parts

Lima will host the 2015 World Bank-IMF meetings. But will the country’s moment in the sun be blighted by the dark clouds of an economic slowdown?

Dilma Rousseff has told Brazil’s public banks to boost the country’s flagging consumption until the elections with double-digit loan growth. Weakening credit quality and capital ratios are worrying analysts.

The ice-bucket challenge has invaded popular culture over the summer, and the banking community has not been immune to its dubious pleasures. In late August, Rich Handler, CEO of investment bank Jefferies, took on the challenge but, like many in his industry, attempted to take it one step further – by immersing himself in a jacuzzi filled with ice cubes.

Private banking clients in Brazil face challenging times, bankers concede. The economy is under pressure and the country could yet suffer stagflation. Furthermore, an unpredictable presidential race leaves markets in limbo. However, bankers are confident their well-educated client base will not over-react, and instead maintain their long-term strategies

Investment banking has the potential to be big business in sub-Saharan Africa. But which banks are setting themselves up for success in the region?

Infrastructure development and streamlined processes have helped the East African Community make great strides to become one of the most successful trading blocs in Africa. But regional inconsistencies threaten to derail further integration.

Mexico’s energy reforms should kick-start growth in its lacklustre economy while Brazil appears to have no strategic planning in place.

As retail money accounts for an ever-larger percentage of leveraged finance, investors must not lose sight of what this asset class is all about.

Russia’s consumer lenders are the modern face of Russian finance, and could prove resilient to the current crisis.

The players and payers attracting the top digital talent are not the financial powerhouses, but the technology firms.

The M&A business is the most compulsive spectacle of how booming financial markets have collided with the real economy.

Those in need of credit are turning to emerging online platforms rather than their traditional banks. It’s faster, easier and more transparent. And emerging market business is leading the way.

The world’s biggest banks have been slow to embrace the digital era. What can financial services CEOs learn from new, tech-based companies that have successfully disrupted other industries? What needs to change?

BBVA has embarked on a bold transformational strategy to become the world’s first digital global bank, and reinvent itself as a knowledge-based information company, fit – it hopes – for the modern era and beyond. Could the Spanish bank be providing a blueprint for the future of banking? CEO Francisco González certainly believes so.

Big data, analytics and technology have the potential to transform the global investment banking industry into a leaner, meaner and better-equipped money making machine. Some investment banks have recognised the opportunity. Few, if any, have worked out how to make it happen.

Sanctions overs the conflict in Ukraine have closed off western capital markets to some Russian companies, giving Asia an opportunity to take a greater role. But an easy ride in the east is not guaranteed.

A three-way banking merger is the biggest yet in Malaysia, part of a regional trend to boost domestic firms to compete locally and abroad. It would also give the country a big contender in Islamic finance

Election campaign delays rationing; ‘pray for rain’ say analysts.

Asset allocation hangs on election result; closing the instrument is good news for private banks.

Global

Liquidity is up and leverage is down. Alternative lenders are stepping in where banks can no longer tread. While the period of re-regulation may not yet be over, real estate finance is starting to look in rude health once again.

Listing will inject much-needed liquidity; US banks secure key IPO lead mandates.

The European Central Bank’s announcement on Thursday that it would start a private sector purchase programme of both ABS and covered bonds was both widely anticipated and yet still quite shocking.

Argentina and Greece heighten official focus; new clauses address Elliott Management strategy.

Fifteen per cent of workers opt in to private system; turnover on WSE seen increasing.

CEO flags up acquisition but country head plays it down; five ECM deals in first 18 months.

Revenue boosts provides buffer; small banks worst hit.

Banks at the forefront of pledges; attempts to deepen US-Africa trade.