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PCCW gained its third CFO of the year in late June when the latest incumbent, Frederick Ma, was seduced by the allure of high office. Ma was appointed secretary for financial services and the treasury under the new ministerial system of the Hong Kong government only weeks after taking over the PCCW mantle from David Prince. Ma's resignation took immediate effect, and he took up his government post on July 1. Into the breach steps Alex Arena, a regular among the company's top brass from the outset. He adds CFO to his previous titles of executive director, deputy chairman of the executive committee and member of the finance committee.

Brunei is positioning itself as a regional – even international – financial hub, but what exactly is the sultanate's competitive advantage? Chris Wright reports.

On July 1, restrictive covenants stopping investors from holding more than a 10% stake in St George Bank expire. National Australia Bank (NAB), Westpac, HSBC and Lloyds TSB are among the likely bidders for the largest Australian bank outside the big four. But St George thinks it can go it alone. CFO Steve McKerihan speaks to Chris Wright. You have told local TV that you would prefer to remain independent. Is that correct?

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.

Philippine golden boy Lito Camacho is suddenly under scrutiny following a large budget deficit shortfall and the controversial timing of the republic's March 2009 bond. Matthew Montagu-Pollock speaks to the finance minister and JPMorgan, theunderwriter of the deal.

Policy change boosts China A-shares... for how long?

Taiwan M&A activity lacks substance

What do you know about SG in Asia? Possibly this: strength in complex specialist areas, such as equity derivatives, project finance and securitization; and beyond that, little else. That's how we saw SG, anyway, and our first question to its recently appointed Asia Pacific CEO, Michel Macagno, was whether that description was fair. Macagno, an endlessly smiling presence throughout the interview, doesn't ever look too upset or irritated, but it's clear he doesn't like the ‘specialist areas' label. “We have a number of strengths, and you just mentioned some of them, but what we are aiming for is to move to a more integrated platform in Asia,” he says. (Like many in his position, he uses phrases like “integrated platform” and “solution-based approach” an awful lot.) “We are moving to a solution-based approach to avoid exactly what you said – a product-driven approach,” he says. “We are strong in products but what we want to deliver is a client solution.”

Minister Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti is the coordinating minister for economic affairs for Indonesia. Within that remit comes a range of challenges and issues – most recently the delayed Bank Niaga sale, the fines levied against parties to the Indomobil sale, the continuing battles of IBRA against bad debts, and the effect of the Manulife judgment on foreign investor sentiment. In a roundabout way, he shares his views with Chris Wright in Jakarta

Three of Japan's ailing banks have been bought by foreign funds over the past three years. Some bankers talk of the huge money these funds are bound to make from their investments. Others doubt the commitment of the overseas investors, and fear it will be ‘IPO then goodbye'. Fiona Haddock reports.

The importance of the world's first-ever international Islamic bond is hard to overestimate. Matthew Montagu-Pollock reports on the landmark government of Malaysia deal that has launched the international Islamic financial market.

Four Hong Kong issuers have found a new, cheap source of funding in the retail bond market. In this economic environment the possibilities seem endless – but issuers must be prepared for weak liquidity. Chris Wright reports.