Despite ongoing social and political unrest in the surrounding region, Lebanon’s banking sector has posted some impressive gains in recent years

In 1995, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the chairman of Bank Menatep, snapped up a state-owned petroleum company known as Yukos for $309m. Politically well connected, the banker managed to acquire 78 percent of the shares – and a huge nightmare

Oman’s banking industry has gone from strength to strength in recent years. World Finance spoke to Lloyd Maddock, CEO of Ahlibank, to find out how the bank has set itself apart in what is becoming an increasingly competitive environment

The Mexican Government has announced plans to boost economic activity and infrastructure across the country. Infonavit plans to use its expertise to ensure that any investment is sustainable

World Finance speaks to Bernd van Linder, Managing Director of Saudi Hollandi Bank, and Khalid Al-Muammar, CEO of Saudi Hollandi Capital, to find out about the growth of the Saudi Arabian economy

While Portugal has only recently been making economic progress, for Banco Carregosa, deciding to establish itself as a leading financial institution amid the country’s uncertainty has paid off

The Philippines’ local banking industry is growing in size and facing increasing competition from international firms. This has pushed banks to innovate in order to boost client numbers and overall bank stability

Growing in popularity among both Muslim and non-Muslim customers, Islamic finance offers a more responsible alternative to traditional banking

The UAE now has a blossoming financial sector and strong growth prospects. David Marshall, Senior Executive Officer at Emirates NBD Asset Management, discusses this post-crisis surge

Sri Lanka’s economy is booming, as growth and loans continue to surge. This has prompted good ratings for the banking sector, and particularly People’s Bank, writes the bank’s Chairman Gamini Senarath

Iraq has a great deal of economic potential, but lies under a shroud of war, conflict and crisis. If the country manages to stabilise over the coming years, then investment opportunities will emerge

In Nigeria, sustainable and socially conscious banking has become an integral part of the industry. With ‘female multipliers’ a core focus, profits and positive credit ratings have increased for Nigeria-based Access Bank

The financial services industry in France is spearheading a number of impressive developments in the region, led in no small part by Confédération Nationale du Crédit Mutuel

As the number of high-net-worth families increases across Canada, it’s clear that private banks have an important role to play

For nearly two years, Portuguese issuers were unable to gain access to international capital markets, but according to CaixaBI’s DCM and ECM teams, its investment landscape is now far more palatable