CFI.co

Author: marten

CFI.co

Capital Finance International (CFI.co) is an international business, economics and finance publication providing reporting and analysis on global markets, banking and corporate affairs.

The North Sea Cash Cow: What Happened to Britain’s Oil and Gas Windfall?

For four decades, North Sea oil and gas contributed heavily to Treasury receipts, supported Britain’s external accounts and influenced the politics of successive governments. Those revenues have not disappeared, but they are projected to fall to a fraction of their

The “Barbarous Relic” That Refuses to Die: Gold at the Crossroads

John Maynard Keynes described the gold standard—not gold itself—as a “barbarous relic”. Yet the metal has returned to the centre of global finance. After the LBMA gold benchmark reached a record $5,501.70 an ounce on 29 January 2026 before retreating

Oil at the Edge of the World

After fifteen years of delay, the Falkland Islands’ Sea Lion field has entered development. Successful delivery could reshape the territory’s economy while testing offshore execution, environmental safeguards and the political relationship between Britain and Argentina. Stanley is not a capital

From Ledger to Legacy: The Businesses Behind Some of the World’s Largest Philanthropic Fortunes

The world’s greatest philanthropists were first some of its most formidable businesspeople. From steel and oil to software and e-commerce, the industries, ownership structures and disciplines that created exceptional fortunes have also shaped how those fortunes are given away. The

Stablecoins Were Supposed to Bypass the Card Schemes. Instead, the Schemes are Positioning Themselves as the Operating System

Stablecoins emerged with a disruptive promise: move money instantly, globally and cheaply without relying on the banks, card schemes and correspondent networks that dominate conventional payments. For Visa and Mastercard, that promise was not an abstract challenge. It went directly

Banco Azteca: Advancing Financial Inclusion Through Access, Education, and Trust

Banco Azteca has built a distinctive position in Mexico by serving working- and middle-class customers who have historically been overlooked by traditional banking. Its model combines an extensive physical network, digital access, responsible credit, insurance, and large-scale financial education. Banco

Alejandro Valenzuela: Turning Financial Access into Lasting Capability

Banco Azteca Chairman of the Board Alejandro Valenzuela believes financial inclusion must extend far beyond access to accounts and credit. His leadership agenda combines education, responsible lending, digital innovation, and human support to help more Mexicans build resilience and participate

Heat on Contract: Industrial Storage Turns Cheap Hours into a Bankable Asset

Brick, carbon and molten-salt stores are moving industrial heat from the fuel bill to the balance sheet. The interesting part is not the hardware. It is the contracts now being written on it. In May, the American biofuels producer POET

The Safety of the System: Why the Restaurant Franchise is Hospitality’s 2026 Safe Haven

In an era of volatile supply chains and discerning diners, the lone wolf restaurateur is an endangered species. As 2026 unfolds, we examine why the franchise model has transformed from a corporate “cookie-cutter” cliché into a structured defence against industry

JPMorgan Signals Caution: Tightening Private Credit Amid Software Loan Repricing

JPMorgan Chase’s decision to tighten lending to private credit funds marks a notable inflection point for one of the fastest-growing segments of global finance. As the world’s largest bank by assets reins in exposure, particularly to software-linked loans, the move