Western Europe Archives

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Capital Raising & Corporate Finance

Celebrating 25 Years Of Investment

In April the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) commemorated a quarter-century of history, with president Suma Chakrabarti emphasizing how far the Bank had come since its first investment—to WBK Bank in Poland (now Bank Zachodni WBK).

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Growing Strong And Clean

Ralph Hamers, CEO and chairman of ING Group, talks with Global Finance about how ING’s lending practices and use of fintech are bolstering the bank—and sustaining the environment.

Economics, Policy & Regulation

Iconoclast Economy Minister Mixes It Up

He’s a kickboxer and a football fanatic, an accomplished pianist and possibly the next president of France—and only 38.

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Regulation, Diversification, Innovation

Nordea Chief Financial Officer Heikki Ilkka, appointed in December after many years with Ernst &Young, talked with Global Finance editors about how the bank is handling negative interest rates and regulatory challenges, and how it deploys technology to satisfy its customers.

Capital Raising & Corporate Finance

Seeking A More Stable World Economy

Alberto Bisin, professor of econo-mics at New York University and fellow at the Econometric Society, studies social, financial and behavioral economics, regulation and income distribution. He spoke with Global Finance on Brexit and other global risks.

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Adding Value And Boosting Digital Agility: Svante Andreen, Nordea

Nordea Markets Investment Banking is an integrated part of wholesale banking in the Nordea Group. A move from different legacy systems to one single platform is part of Nordea’s simplification program. SvanteAndreen, Nordea co-head of markets investment banking, expects the move to foster agility, enabling Nordea to become a truly digital bank.

Capital Raising & Corporate Finance

Barclays To Sell Africa Business

Capital Markets | Regulation “Nothing will make us deviate or change our course. We are not exiting our operations in any of our African markets,” declared Maria Ramos, CEO of Barclays Africa.

Economics, Policy & Regulation

Catalan Leader Amps Up Independence Call

Spain: Legislators in Catalonia elected Carles Puigdemont, who has been pushing for independence for the big Spanish region for years, as president on January 10.

Capital Raising & Corporate Finance

EC Orders Belgium To Recoup Money Lost In Illegal Tax Breaks

Trends | Taxation As part of a crackdown on generous tax incentives across the European Union, in January the European Commission (EC) demanded Belgium claw back €700 million ($762 million) in tax breaks from at least 35 European firms.

Country Report

Has Italy Turned A Corner?

The foundations for economic recovery have been laid by Matteo Renzi’s government, which is tackling fundamental issues at the heart of Italy’s problems. But he has yet to work his magic on public spending.

Banking

International Investors Decry Portuguese Bank Bail-In

Capital Markets | Fixed Income A bail-in provision, which places the onus on bondholders and other investors to write down their holdings in the event of winding up a troubled financial institution within the European Union, came into effect on January 1, 2016.

Capital Raising & Corporate Finance

EU Countries Agree On Principles For Financial Transaction Tax

Taxation | Capital Markets In December 2015, 10 European Union members agreed on key aspects of a harmonized financial transaction tax (FTT).