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In an age of irony, financial markets are hitting their peak. Measures of volatility, across almost any asset suggest squeezed trading ranges and pricing exactitude just as the most volatile US president in living memory settles into his new job. Something has to give.

One thing my contemporaries in banking can never be accused of is lacking optimism. And sometimes, the tactics they deploy to stay positive amid dwindling deal flow surprises even me.

Holders of newly nationalised PrivatBank’s Eurobonds are pushing back on the National Bank of Ukraine’s plans to bail-in the debt, but the government should not have to take on the liabilities of sophisticated lenders in event of a default. But it does need to be much clearer about its plans.

Investors in US banks might be looking forward to regulatory easing under President Trump’s administration, backed by a Republican Congress. They might eventually see some benefit, but a steeper yield curve is much more important.

Hong Kong’s primary equity capital market is in trouble. The city was the top global IPO destination by volume last year — a title it also held from 2009 to 2011. But the market is in the midst of change with disgruntled investors and restrictions on capital outflows from China set to start hitting business. With no fix in sight, the worst is only yet to come.

Much attention this week was focused on politics, again. UK prime minister Theresa May’s speech, offered some measure of Brexit clarity, and all watched for figurative fireworks at Donald Trump's inauguration as US president on Friday. But there were a few hints about the future of investment banking smuggled in with all the geopolitics.

The Trump presidency begins without China being labelled a currency manipulator, RMB keeps strengthening against the dollar, and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange emphasizes stability over reform.

Even by Donald Trump’s standards, it was quite a comment. After leaving traders and investors weak at the knees with talk of big spending and bumper tax cuts, the US president-elect caused more than a few scratched heads this week as he said the dollar was too strong.

UK prime minister’s speeches have rarely been market-moving events, despite what some of the more breathless commentators in the broadcast media would have you think. But perhaps this has changed since the Brexit referendum in June, even if the spin doctors manage the message in advance.

Banks these days go to great lengths to support new mothers, doing everything from extending vacation time to shaming managers who fire pregnant employees.

Donald Trump’s US presidential victory shook markets and whatever ‘Trumponomics’ turns out to be, the early evidence is that the normal rules will not apply. But for all the turmoil Trump has created as president-elect, his term in office may not devastate Asia the way some expect. His style of leadership might even bring just the spark Asian markets need.

Ever since Theresa May became UK prime minister in July, markets and commentators have thirsted to know what her strategy would be for the negotiations to leave the European Union. Now we know — and so far, the markets like it.