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The Philippines has loosened the rules governing foreign bank ownership, making a big step to bring in more foreign direct investment, as well preparing for further integration with other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. But there are serious questions about how much impact the new law will have on the country’s banking system

A downgrade to growth forecasts for China by the World Bank has added to concerns in the markets that the world’s second largest economy could be heading for a sharp slowdown

Starting a $100bn multilateral bank is no easy task, especially with Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa as its founding shareholders. Experts are warning that disagreements between the five sponsors could make life impossible for the New Development Bank

Yet critics say the forecast is overly optimistic, given the eurozone’s precarious recovery and slowing growth in many of the country’s key regional export markets

Economists are warning that among the major fast-growing economies, Turkey has the most to lose from the US jacking up interest rates over the coming 12 months

Raising one’s game from regional bank to global is a risky strategy at the best of times, so for National Bank of Abu Dhabi to attempt the move when other firms are retrenching and streamlining their businesses is bound to draw some scepticism.

When the G20 finalises the next round of bank capital requirements at its Brisbane meeting in November, few things are certain. But regulators are united in a push to keep whatever new loss-bearing liabilities out of the hands of retail investors – raising the question of who, if anyone, should be on the hook for bank failure.

Kazakhstan this week became the first country to fully adopt ICMA’s recommendations for a collection action clause in its sovereign bond issue. But the trade was such a blowout that it cannot be used to draw conclusions about the costs of doing so — other borrowers may have to pay up to include the clause.

Investors have been waiting for Kazakhstan’s sovereign bond for nearly a decade and its arrival this week left no-one in doubt about demand for the issue. But its re-pricing of the curves of Kazakh borrowers is also a reminder to the emerging markets of the importance of sovereigns themselves coming to market and the need for strong lead management when they do.

Luxembourg’s debut in the sukuk market last week was a great advert for the asset class and rounded off a run of ground-breaking deals from new borrowers. But despite bankers reporting interest from other European sovereigns in the aftermath – and suggestions the Grand Duchy itself will return next year – it is unlikely that its western neighbours will follow soon.

London transport, it’s always a pleasure. But when you’re on your way to meet a senior debt banker over from the United Arab Emirates, seeing your journey time triple because of the unannounced closure of a tube line can be the occasion for a fantastic mix of stress and embarrassment.

2014 so far has been a bit of a bumper year for IPOs in Hong Kong, despite the well-publicised loss of Alibaba’s landmark listing to the New York Stock Exchange.