China to give foreign banks easier market access

In a major bid to liberalise its banking sector, China has announced that it will lift a ban on foreign banks from opening more than one branch in a Chinese city, a move which could lead to Indian banks setting up more branches in the country.

GIC gives private equity firms run for their money

Singapore – In the first half of this year, Singapore’s GIC agreed to pay up to $310 million for minority stakes in two unlisted Philippine companies: Food producer Century Canning Corp. and hospital group Metro Pacific Investment Corp.

Argentina asks U.S. judge to put debt payment order on hold

(Reuters) - Argentina asked a U.S. judge on Monday to put on hold an order requiring it to pay bondholders who did not participate in debt restructurings following the country's 2002 default, while it seeks a "global resolution."

Foreign banks get transition period on U.S. tax evasion law

(Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury Department said on Friday that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) this year and next will take into account "good faith efforts" by foreign banks to comply with a new U.S. anti-tax evasion law set to take effect on July 1.

Hedge funds pose biggest risks in crises: Fed study

(Reuters) - Hedge funds, not banks, may be the most important transmitters of shocks during financial crises, according a study published Monday by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

Wall Street’s Bond Trading, Allocation Under Finra Review

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority is examining whether Wall Street firms overcharge investors on some bond trades and whether they unfairly allocate new corporate debt issues to reward certain clients.

Central banks, SWFs make up less than 1 percent of FX trade - BIS

LONDON (Reuters) - Trading by central banks and sovereign wealth funds account for less than 1 percent of the $5.3 trillion (3.40 trillion pounds) a day FX market, while smaller and regional banks make up nearly a quarter, a survey showed on Thursday.

Angola names president's son to chair $5 bln sovereign wealth fund

LISBON (Reuters) - Angola on Friday appointed one of President Jose Eduardo dos Santos' sons to chair its $5 billion sovereign wealth fund, a move likely to raise further questions about transparency and nepotism in Africa's second-biggest oil producer.

France wants banks to be core Euronext investors - sources

LONDON/PARIS (Reuters) - The French government has approached the country's banks and insurers about forming a consortium to buy at least 34 percent of the Euronext stock exchange, due to be spun off in a public offering, sources close to the matter said on Friday.

Wells Fargo eyes Mideast growth

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Wells Fargo & Co., the U.S. bank that counts billionaire Warren Buffett’s company as its largest shareholder, is targeting Persian Gulf sovereign-wealth funds as it seeks to expand its client base in the Middle East.

RBS job cuts described as 'brutal'

Union leaders attacked the Royal Bank of Scotland on Tuesday for announcing "brutal" cuts of 600 jobs from its financial planning service. Unite said the cuts represented a 50% reduction in the department across the country.

Pension and SWFs offer hope for private equity fundraisings

Growing demand for private equity exposure from pension funds and sovereign wealth funds is expected to go some way to plug the gap left by a drop-off in allocations from insurance and financial institutions, according to research from Morgan Stanley.