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Relational Investors, which in order to try to convince other shareholders why Spanish bank Santander’s purchase of a 19.8% stake in US Sovereign Bancorp for $2.4 billion shouldn’t go ahead and why two directors should be replaced, hired a specialist company to make a professional promotional video. “Apart from me talking for two-and-a-half hours, it’s actually rather interesting,” said Ralph Whitworth, principal at Relational Investors, at a recent New York conference. “It’s not quite as compelling as a Game Boy, but it’s kind of cool.”

Dresdner Bank has sent out a request for proposals for a sale and leaseback of its retail banking network in Germany. The deal involves some 300 banks and will raise an estimated €2 billion. In mid-December four buyers were left in the auction process – Babcock and Brown, Carlyle, Citigroup Property Investment and Fortress.

Market dismisses concentration risk claims.

India is fast becoming a remote front and middle office for the banking industry.

The investment manager reckons there is a wider market for its products.

A new series of private banking indices is to be launched this month, replacing those ABN Amro established in May.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is helping to develop securitization structures in central and eastern Europe. Sudip Roy reports.

Arcapita has been named best Islamic private equity house in recognition of its leading position in the world of international shariah-compliant private equity. The firm was created in 1997 and currently employs more than 140 people in its offices in Bahrain, Atlanta and London.

Structured products are a hugely profitable business line for investment banks. They allow banks to package up risks and pass them on to third parties in the form of an investment where the buyer may win or lose, but the seller always stands to gain.

Euromoney might have found the ultimate gift for the finance nerd in your family. An interesting posting on Ebay appeared just before the festive season – a white Fender Stratocaster guitar signed by well-known names in finance including Warren Buffett, George Soros and Bill Gross. The guitar had been shipped around the US for two months to be signed by 19 industry figures and was being auctioned by hedge fund manager Todd Harrison for charity.

Deutsche Bank wins this award on the basis of innovation, the experience of its Islamic finance team, the breadth of its product range, and the frequency with which it advises other Islamic institutions or deals.

Search the results Four years ago Brazil’s Banco Itaú committed itself to building a world-class private bank. Its efforts are already paying off