EM Polls and Awards

Choosing a cash management bank can be difficult when core services are so similar. But some houses manage to offer that little bit more to win clients' votes. By Pauline Loong. Polls team headed by Olivia Chow and Robert Law.

Home-grown institutions are often overlooked. They lack the global name recognition that comes from huge balance sheets and high-profile deals. But some have shown amazing abilities to survive and even thrive in a tough environment. For the second year, we name the local houses in the region's key markets that we believe deserve our accolades.

Bankers say that costs are low on their list of priorities when choosing legal counsel, yet lawyers complain that fees are fiercely competitive. We listen to both sides in Asiamoney's third law poll, a joint undertaking with sister publication Asialaw, and list those who are voted the top legal advisers in the region.

Business travellers are sticking with the names they know and trust in Asia. The Ritz-Carlton Millenia in Singapore, the Oriental in Bangkok and the Peninsula in Hong Kong again rank as Asia's finest hotels, and Singapore Airlines continues to rule the skies. Poll research and story by Olivia Chow and Robert Law.

Last year was not one to remember for many bankers, issuers or investors. But there were bright spots along the way. Hardship led to innovation in corporate restructuring, and the benchmark borrowers of the region came into their own. These are the transactions that provided a silver lining to a very cloudy year.

Headhunters polarize opinions among the banking community, judging by the two individuals that dominate our poll. One builds his image on discretion and low profile; the other couldn't be low-profile if he tried. Both have their loyal supporters who can't imagine taking their business elsewhere. By Olivia Chow and Robert Law.

It's been a tough year for Asia's companies – all the more reason to applaud those who have earned recognition from investors in Asiamoney's 11th best-managed companies poll. This time the winners comprise a diverse bunch, from tech to property. Poll compiled by Olivia Chow and Robert Law.

For the first time since 1998, no US house appears in the top three in Asiamoney's annual brokers poll. CLSA climbs the rankings thanks to its perceived independence, but it is last year's winner, UBS Warburg, that makes the greatest gains in our most comprehensive ever poll. By Olivia Chow and Robert Law.

Transparency and accountability have become wordwide corporate mantras post-Enron. But Asia has seen it all before. Five years after the 1997 financial crisis, many countries and their companies have realized that good corporate governance makes good financial sense. Poll compiled by Olivia Chow and Robert Law. Report by Fiona Haddock.

Citibank ranks top in our global custody poll again this year. Our respondents offer a valuable insight in to what they want from their global custodians, and whether they are satisfied with the services they receive. Olivia Chow and Robert Law report.

There's no change at the top of our cash management poll this year: Citibank is voted best regional cash management bank in Asia for the fourth consecutive year, and more or less sweeps the board in the local categories. Our respondents air their views on delivery, on-line reporting, outsourcing and how they think banks can enhance their cash management services. By Olivia Chow and Robert Law.

Our second law firm poll reveals that despite the vast amounts of money spent by Asian corporates on legal fees, they are not always satisfied with the services they get in return. But they do know which firms they rate in particular areas of specialization, and why. Olivia Chow and Robert Law report.