CFI.co | January 14, 2015 - CFI.co

FinanceEconomics & Development
- - Banking & Finance
    
    The Swiss Never Miss When it Comes to Perfecting Trade Finance Solutions
    
    Over three decades of experience in developing solutions for the trade finance community. MIT Make Intuitive
    
    Dollar Strains — Our Currency, Your Problem: Specialised Investment Research and Analysis from PGM Global Inc.
    
    Unlike their DM counterparts, EM central banks have started to cut rates, in some cases aggressively,
    
    Gimme an E! Gimme an S! Gimme a G! What Does that Spell? Future Prosperity — and a Healthy Planet
    
    Society has always demanded that companies serve a social purpose — and Hungary’s MBH Bank has
  - Markets
    
    Vector Casa de Bolsa: Five Decades Driving the Growth of the Mexican Economy
    
    As Vector Casa de Bolsa approaches its 50th anniversary, it is time to reflect on the company’s remarkable
    
    Creating More Strategic Relevance for the Investment Banking Sector
    
    Many people think of investment banks as firms with a rolodex of fixed income and equity
    
    Tightening Financial Conditions Bring Impacts to Asset Values
    
    In the first half of this year, US stock markets suffered a fall not seen in
  - SMEs
    
    Abdullah Al-Othman & Geidea: FinTech Supports SMEs and Saudi Vision 2030
    
    Abdullah Al-Othman is the founder and chairman of Geidea, a leading fully licensed provider of digital
    
    VM Finance Poised to Lead Property Financing for SMEs
    
    VM Finance entered the non-bank specialist funding industry in 2018, armed with a wealth of experience
    
    CBRE: Approaching Shadows of Data Opacity and Risk From Flexible Office Market
    
    We live in a world that offers and value tailored convenience. We are accustomed to the
  - Economics & Convergence
    
    Dollar Strains — Our Currency, Your Problem: Specialised Investment Research and Analysis from PGM Global Inc.
    
    Unlike their DM counterparts, EM central banks have started to cut rates, in some cases aggressively,
    
    Otaviano Canuto: Some Economies May Soon Face a Hard Landing
    
    Weaker performance of emerging markets is expected in the immediate future. This year began with simultaneous
    
    Global Imbalances and the Pandemic
    
    The International Monetary Fund’s tenth annual External Sector Report (ESR, August 2021) shows how current account
SustainabilityBusiness Environment
- - CSR
    
    ESG Leadership Trends, from ‘Woke Capitalism’ to ‘Quiet Sustainability’
    
    This is no time to get distracted, argues Fabrizio Ferraro — sustainable impact will bring the
    
    Embracing ESG Transformation: Turning Ambitions Into Action
    
    Two PwC Luxembourg partners giving support and guidance to companies in their transformation journeys. This year
    
    The Long-term Growth of Sustainable Investing
    
    In April 2013, the concrete roof of a dilapidated factory in a densely populated district of
  - Energy
    
    Nordea Asset Management: Uniting Investors to Confront Rising Menace of Methane
    
    By Eric Pedersen, Head of Responsible Investments at Nordea Asset Management If the world has any
    
    Power to the People — But Let’s Make it Clean and Renewable…
    
    CFI.co meets the high-powered management team of Germany’s RENAIO Assets, experts in sustainability Oliver Platsch and
    
    Poles Apart: TGE has Created its Own Space in the Energy Market
    
    Towarowa Giełda Energii (TGE) is a key institution in the Polish energy landscape. CFI talks with
  - Innovation & Technology
    
    Paolo Sironi, IBM: Regenerating Banking via Bots — AI Has Our Full Attention
    
    Financial services specialists — like professionals in so many sectors — are embracing the radical technology,
    
    How Will Artificial Intelligence Affect the Economy?
    
    Artificial intelligence (AI) is the name given to the broad spectrum of technologies by which machines
    
    A Simple Man with a Simple Plan: Saving the World Via Commitment to a Greener, Cleaner, Future…
    
    The head of Thai group Bangchak, Chaiwat Kovavisarach, speaks to CFI.co about his vision for the
  - Governance & Legal
    
    Norvestor: Seeing — and Seizing — the Full Potential of ESG
    
    Private equity firm Norvestor has partnered with Nordic businesses for more than three decades. It has
    
    EY: Argentina’s Need for Tax Reforms, and How They Could Be Achieved
    
    The current Argentine macroeconomic situation is characterised by Covid-19 recession, inflation, record tax pressure, a reduction
    
    Co-op Legal Services: Opportunity and Optimism Abound in the Exciting Legal Services Sector
    
    Co-op Legal Services, which is part of the Co-op Group, offers legal advice and services for
PerspectivesEssays & Columns
- - Multilaterals
    
    World Bank: How to Accelerate Growth and Progress in Developing Economies
    
    Amid a barrage of shocks during the past four years, the global economy has proved to
    
    Asian Development Bank: Three Actions Governments Can Take to Help to Tackle Climate Adaptation
    
    Impacts of climate change are causing significant economic and social challenges, and there is an urgent
    
    OECD: The Funding Models of Development Finance Institutions
    
    The drum beat of reform is increasing for the development system and particularly for the Multilateral
  - Columnists
    
    Paolo Sironi, IBM: Regenerating Banking via Bots — AI Has Our Full Attention
    
    Financial services specialists — like professionals in so many sectors — are embracing the radical technology,
    
    How Will Artificial Intelligence Affect the Economy?
    
    Artificial intelligence (AI) is the name given to the broad spectrum of technologies by which machines
    
    Whither China’s Belt and Road Initiative?
    
    The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched by Xi Jinping, passed its tenth anniversary in 2023.
  - Lifestyle
    
    Attitudes Towards Remote Working: Employer vs Employee Perspectives and Economic Implications
    
    The landscape of the workplace has been irreversibly transformed by the rise of remote working, a
    
    Movie Review – Napoleon: Flawed but Fascinating Historical Tribute to an Enigmatic Emperor
    
    Ridley Scott’s Napoleon gets the mood just right, captures all the emotion and torment … but
    
    Get Your Motor Running — and Dial the Time Machine Back a Few Decades to Find Perfection
    
    When cool is king, you can’t beat two wheels — and the golden era of motorcycling
PeopleHeroes & Leaders
- - Heroes
    
    Steve Fechheimer: Brewing Up a Storm to Combat Climate Change
    
    New Belgium’s craft beers were inspired by a bike ride, first brewed in a basement, and
    
    Patrik Lundström: Break on Through to the Green Side of Clothing Production…
    
    Every entrepreneur wants to build a business on a breakthrough process; not many have done so.
    
    Lutz Schwenke: Life — and Business — on an Ocean Wave
    
    Devon has some of the best surfing beaches in the UK — a fact which may
  - Editor’s Ten
    
    Denise Coates Earns More Than Elon Musk, Would You Believe?
    
    British business leader Denise Coates is the highest-earning woman in Britain — testament to the fact
    
    Elaine Yan Ling Ng: Designer Egged-on by Nature’s Potential for Unique Beauty
    
    The design world often looks to nature for inspiration, and Elaine Yan Ling Ng, a traditional
    
    Mahendra Singh Dhoni: Captain Cool Meets his Younger Self to Pass on Business Tips
    
    Mahendra Singh “MS” Dhoni, one of India’s most celebrated cricket players, has earned the nickname “Captain
  - Corporate Leaders
    
    Pavilion Global Markets: Global Recognition in Two Niche Services, Transition Management and Global Portfolio Strategy
    
    Pavilion Global Markets Ltd was founded in Canada more than 50 years ago as an institutional,
    
    A New Era for Kuwait International Bank: Architecting the Future of Technology-based Banking
    
    Digital renaissance in the global banking sector was well underway prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In
    
    Multiply Marketing Consultancy with Samia Bouazza at the Helm: Always Prepared, Armed with the Latest Tech, Determined to Be the Best
    
    “Abu Dhabi residents. International specialists. Critical thinkers. Problem solvers. Marketing connoisseurs. Trained to get straight to
  - Portraits
    
    Elaine Yan Ling Ng: Designer Egged-on by Nature’s Potential for Unique Beauty
    
    The design world often looks to nature for inspiration, and Elaine Yan Ling Ng, a traditional
    
    Interview with Grete Faremo, Executive Director of UNOPS: Inclusive Infrastructure Development
    
    In pre-pandemic Oct 2019 (about 20 months ago) you wrote an article for CFI.co magazine that
    
    Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill: ‘Cheap Childcare’ Led to Winning Athletics Career, Jokes Ennis-Hill
    
    Britain’s most celebrated track and field athlete, Jessica Ennis-Hill, announced her retirement from professional sports at
LiteratureBook Reviews
- - Reviews
    
    Think Big and Buckle-Up for a Fast-Paced, Pithy Memoir
    
    Book Review: Kick Up Some Dust by Bernie Marcus The life and times of entrepreneur Bernie
    
    The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity – A Non-Linear Anarchist Reading of World History
    
    It’s an ideology that inspires fear and loathing in equal measure. Anarchism or the conviction that
    
    Spring Reads: Three Business Books on the CFI.co Radar
    
    Naomi Snelling buries herself in some inspiring works that bring meaning — and more — to
  - Must-Reads
    
    The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity – A Non-Linear Anarchist Reading of World History
    
    It’s an ideology that inspires fear and loathing in equal measure. Anarchism or the conviction that
    
    Political Order and Political Decay: From the Industrial Revolution to the Globalization of Democracy
    
    “When the middle class constitutes only 20–30 percent of the population, it may side with antidemocratic
    
    Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945
    
    CFI Must-Reads Title Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945 Author Tony Judt ISBN 978-0-1430-3775-0 link
  - The Editor’s List
    
    Lutz Schwenke: Life — and Business — on an Ocean Wave
    
    Devon has some of the best surfing beaches in the UK — a fact which may
    
    The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby
    
    “He sounded like Jean-François Revel, a French socialist writer who talks about one of the great
    
    The Gonzo Papers Anthology
    
    “Absolute truth is a very rare and dangerous commodity in the context of professional journalism.” For
In-DepthExtended Coverage
- - Hidden Gems
    
    Lord Waverley: Tracing the Old Silk Road Shows History Carved a Path to Modern Values — and Vibrant Economies
    
    Lord Waverley continues his journey through Central Asia, a little-known region nestled in a corner of
    
    Lord Waverley: Central Asian Region Revealed in All its Glory, Mystery, and History
    
    Lord Waverley negotiated Memoranda of Understanding with each of the five parliaments of Central Asia, and
    
    Mortgages Agreed Within Seconds? This Banker Vaults Digital Frontiers
    
    KBC Bank chief executive Johan Thijs has no truck with bureaucracy or time-wasting — but stays
  - Special Features
    
    World Bank MD and CFO Anshula Kant: Financing Where It Matters Most
    
    Financing Where It Matters Most — People, The Planet, and the Role of Investors Amid overlapping
    
    Paul Horrocks, OECD: Risk, Return, Impact – SDG Aims Need a Shift of Focus
    
    Russia’s war on Ukraine and interruption of global food supplies has put greater pressure on the
    
    OECD: Only Scale and Development Impact Will Help Us Reach the SDG Mountain Summit
    
    The development community is used to responding to crises but current events, not least COVID-19, have
AwardsExcellence
- - Awards
    
    UAE is Recognised by CFI.co as Best FDI Destination in the Middle East
    
    Following presentation of the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) Awards for FDI-agencies at a Gala Dinner at
    
    British Airways: Best Premium Travel Experience Global
    
    Unveiling a major investment drive to upgrade its long-haul business and premium economy class services, British
    
    UBS: Best Green Bank Switzerland
    
    An increasing number of businesses, including banks, are adapting their corporate structures and processes to incorporate
  - Africa
    
    Schlumberger Nigeria: Best Sustainability Award
    
    In over forty countries, oilfield services company Schlumberger is actively engaged in promoting science, technology, engineering,
    
    The CFI.co Award for Best HSE Standards, West Africa, goes to Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc
    
    Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc traces its proud history back to 1907. This top petroleum products marketing
    
    Old Mutual: Best Community Engagement Programme, South Africa
    
    Responsibility is at the heart of Old Mutual’s success over the past 165 years and the
  - Asia Pacific
    
    Best Commercial Bank, China: CFI.co names China Merchants
    
    China Merchants Bank, headquartered in Shenzen and boasting 500 branches, is the CFI.co 2014 winner of
    
    Colombo Stock Exchange: Most Sustainable Growth Exchange Asia
    
    With investor confidence solid and a booming economy, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is in a
    
    A Touch of Class: Century Properties Group Wins Real Estate Award in the Philippines
    
    With a passion for quality in both service and product plus an uncannily keen sense for
  - Europe
    
    Julius Bär Group: Best Private Bank Switzerland
    
    Managing the assets of private clients across the globe, Julius Bär Group maintains offices in over
    
    UBS: Best Green Bank Switzerland
    
    Picture a world in which large power plants spewing noxious fumes into the atmosphere have been
    
    Nordea Asset Management: ESG Award Winner in Europe
    
    According to the CFI.co Judging Panel, ‘Nordea well understands the benefits that accrue to investors when
  - Latin America
    
    BCI: Our Fund Manager Winner in Chile
    
    The CFI.co Judging Panel rates BCI Investment Management very highly and has announced that the award
    
    Bolsa de Valores de Colombia: Best Stock Exchange, Latin America
    
    The Bolsa de Valores de Colombia (BVC) – a private organisation – was established in 2001
    
    The Odebrecht Foundation Wins CFI Award for Community Engagement, Brazil
    
    The Odebrecht Organisation is a very successful and highly diversified Brazilian group which is active in
  - North America
    
    Mercury Capital Advisors Group Best Fund Raising Team Global
    
    Mercury Capital Advisors Group have perfected flat management within the company, creating a team where everyone takes
    
    Banco Interacciones: Our Winner in Mexico for a Second Year
    
    The CFI Judging Panel would like to congratulate Banco Interacciones on repeating its triumph of last
    
    BNY Mellon: Winner of the CFI.co Wealth Manager Award, US
    
    The CFI.co Judging Panel has named BNY Mellon as winner of the prestigious award, ’Best Wealth
  - Middle East
    
    Saudi Hollandi: Best SME Bank, KSA, for a Second Year
    
    The CFI.co Judging Panel is always delighted when winners repeat their success in subsequent years. It
    
    Bentley Powers Ahead in Customer Satisfaction: CFI.co Award Winner, Middle East
    
    There has been powerful performance at Bentley Motors, Middle East this past year. Dubai is the
    
    UBP Wins the CFI.co Private Banking Award, UAE
    
    Now that many of the global universal banks are returning to their core business and divesting
InitiativesCorporate & Events
- - Events
    
    The Women’s Brain Project Takes the World Economic Forum 2024 Stage
    
    The Women’s Brain Project (WBP) announces the creation of its new Foundation to support the world’s
    
    SteadyPay Embedded Microfinance Fintech: Safety Net for the Gig Worker
    
    SteadyPay, the award winning FinTech, is at the forefront of delivering accessible and innovative financial solutions
    
    UNCDF: COP27 Pledges Biodiversity Finance to Boost Climate-Change Resilience
    
    Forests, coral reefs and populations most at-risk come into focus at 2022 summit in Egypt. “From
  - Projects
    
    Collaboration, Fintech and Crypto Dominate Italian Summit, and New VC Fund Announced by Generali
    
    Why Italy is bucking a downward trend, and some take-aways from the 2023 Milan Fintech Summit…
    
    Sri Lanka: Recovery, Redemption & Re-Birth
    
    Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka’s most resilient and experienced politician, was gifted his country’s presidency by his
    
    Interview with Firas Sleiman – Partner and Technology, Digital & Cyber Leader at PwC in Qatar: Digital Leadership
    
    About Qatar and Digital What technology or digital trends should the Qatari leader watch out for
  - Start-Ups
    
    Kickstart Seed Fund: From Recession to Co-operation
    
    Kickstart Seed Fund was founded in 2008. Yes, 2008 — and despite the recession, the company
    
    Gavin Christensen: Shared Values at Kickstart Management
    
    Seed-stage venture capital firm Kickstart, founded by Gavin Christensen, started life in the 2008 recession —
    
    Recipe for Success: Blend Inspiring Partners with Hard-Working Teams and Have a Proven ‘Killer’ Product
    
    FasterCapital is an online incubator/accelerator diverse and inclusive global company whose expert team works with partners
  - Corporate
    
    Byblos Bank Europe (BBE): A Niche Bank Getting Bigger and Better
    
    Belgium’s BBE has old-school values and a modern take on operational excellence. In the global arena
    
    Swiss Can’t Miss with an Attitude like This — CEO’s Dedication Shines Through
    
    Commercial property sector’s many facets polished to a lasting shine by PSP Swiss Property’s chief executive.
    
    A Merger that Sparked a Revolution in India’s Modern Banking Universe
    
    Despite its twists and turns, the harmonious merger between a fintech NBFC and an Infrastructure Bank

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