Awards

As uncertainty in the global market place persists, what is being done to keep the structured products business afloat, and how well is that working? Pamela Tang reports on a changing market, as ASIAMONEY reveals the winners of its largest structured products poll.

Ananth Doraswamy, head of commodities for Asia at Citi, moved to the region in November 2005 to grow the bank's commodities franchise. The fact that Citi has won the commodities-linked structured products poll in the three years since he arrived is a sure sign that his work has not gone to waste.

Since the credit crisis unfolded, the Asian investment grade universe has suffered in particular, with regional credit spreads widening more than their US and European peers. Such a drop is not justified as Asian fundamentals are more solid, argue private bankers, who point out that there haven't been any credit defaults in the Asian investment grade universe since 2004.

The foreign exchange business is all about breadth and bulk. It offers a natural advantage to banks with wide distribution capabilities in Asia and the world, and has led two global heavyweights to retain their dominance in this part of our polls.

It might be heady days for interest rates and currency products, but the same cannot be said for equity-linked structures. Demand for equity products has ground to a halt since highs in October, mirroring the fortunes of Asia's bourses. The Shanghai Composite Index in Shanghai closed at 3,116 points on April 21, 49% down from its 6,092 peak on October 16. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index is similarly bruised, falling 22% from its peak of 31,958 on October 30 to 24,721 on the same day.

While equity products have become an unwelcome concept, it has been completely different for interest-rate-linked counterparts. Investors are keen to take advantage of the steepening interest rate curves across much of the world.

Asiamoney is pleased to announce the overall winners of the 5th annual structured products poll. The questionnaire was distributed to senior finance and treasury executives who are actively involved in Asia-Pacific structured product transactions. A total of 670 responses were received, making this Asiamoney's largest Structured Products Poll to date.

Financial institutions that stand out domestically will cement both their reputations and profits. ASIAMONEY polls analysts and investors to determine which banks and trading houses impressed the most in 2007.

Changi Airport with its new Terminal 3 steals the plaudits in ASIAMONEY's largest Travel Poll, leaving Hong Kong in the shade for the first time in five years. Singapore Airlines continues to fly high, while Garuda Indonesia is grounded at the other end of the scale. Readers also determine the region's best hotels, golf courses and spas, as Bernice Lam reports.

It takes vision, leadership and sound business strategy to make companies perform well and impress shareholders and customers. ASIAMONEY reveals which executive and companies stood out in 2007.

A strong corporate vision and canny use of capital separated Thailand's best-managed companies and best executives from the rest in 2007. ASIAMONEY reports.

Successful banks had to mix wise counsel with innovative funding ideas and clever execution. ASIAMONEY reveals which institutions did the best job.