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The chief executives of 11 of the world's biggest banks discuss the lessons they have learnt from the global financial crisis, their concerns over a regulatory backlash, and how they plan to rebuild profitability in the toughest markets in history.

The Eurobond market has existed for 45 years and its infrastructure reflects that. Bondholder trustees are gearing up to change one aspect that should improve their ability to obtain bondholder agreements. The present system – if it can be called a system – requires bondholders to receive 21 days’ notice of a meeting, which might or might not be quorate. If it is not quorate, another 14 days must elapse before another meeting can take place. The method through which bondholders are notified is equally antiquated. Investors are informed via newspaper adverts or through clearing agents.

Some 190 IPOs seeking to raise $33.1 billion in capital have been postponed or withdrawn across the world so far this year, according to Dealogic.

Palestine is a surprisingly attractive prospect – good enough to hold the attention of private and public investors at a conference this year. But Gaza, which must develop pari passu with the West Bank if the Territories are to prosper, is an unstable imponderable. Chris Wright reports.

The growing trade links between Russia and Serbia are likely to lead to a greater Russian presence in the Balkan country’s banking sector. That is the view of Alexei Sytnikov, vice-president of Bank of Moscow, Russia’s fifth-largest banking group by assets, which has established a wholly owned subsidiary in the Serbian capital Belgrade with an initial investment of €15 million. "We believe that the probability of other Russian players entering the Serbian market is very high," says Sytnikov, who is responsible for Bank of Moscow’s international banks. He adds that all the prerequisites for Russian banks, most likely from among the top 30 players, are in place for them to look to set up subsidiaries in Serbia – strong economic growth, a relatively low level of competition in the financial services sector and a growing Russian business presence.

Mexico’s central bank governor has achieved rock-star status with his tough line on inflation by standing up to the president’s pressure to reduce interest rates.

"It is not reasonable that any director can truly independently understand and monitor the full range of risks and complexities in today's highly sophisticated hedge fund" -Don Seymour, DMS Management

The vice governor for international affairs says financial sanctions will not halt the country's growth, as president Ahmadinejad tells the UN the US's years of domination are over.

Banks in central and eastern Europe are still posting results that laugh in the face of the credit crisis. But bad – or at least worse – times might be just around the corner for some. Charles Piggott reports.

Turkey set out on the road to EU accession some 60 years ago but the goal remains elusive. Turkish bankers consider the journey worthwhile. But, they muse, if the country keeps on being spurned it should look east rather than west to apply its new-found expertise and dynamism. Eric Ellis reports.

Deutsche Bank has appointed Tiina Lee as head of European financial institutions capital origination. It is a new role at the bank that combines capital origination for debt and equity capital markets. The rationale is to take the bank’s alignment of the capital markets businesses in debt and equity to the next level, says Deutsche Bank. The present crisis, with banks, especially, in dire need of capital makes this type of approach from intermediaries increasingly important.

The country is looking to the future under a pro-investment government. Foreign banks, private equity funds and manufacturers are interested, but there’s no guaranteed alpha on the Mekong. Lawrence White reports.