Andrea Murad

2 days ago | gfmag.com | Andrea Murad

Michelle Knowles is managing executive for Trade and Working Capital (Pan Africa) at regional winner Absa Group. She discusses how innovation and technology is changing finance in Africa. Global Finance: How is innovation transforming banking in Africa? Michelle Knowles: Innovation in Africa has created a more inclusive and efficient financial ecosystem by driving economic growth and empowering emerging populations.

2 days ago | gfmag.com | Andrea Murad

Global Finance spoke with Rafael Ernesto Barrientos Interiano, Director of Technology and Digital Transformation at Banco Cuscatlan, about innovations in banking in Latin America and how Banco Cuscatlan uses technology to create a better customer experience. Global Finance: How have technology and innovation transformed banking in Latin America?

2 months ago | gfmag.com | Andrea Murad

Global Finance: Standard Chartered is this year’s Best Investment Bank for Infrastructure Finance. How does this award reflect the firm’s mission? Abbas Husain: This award reinforces our role as a trusted partner in driving sustainable development and economic progress. It reflects our commitment to delivering innovative financial solutions that enable critical infrastructure projects, strengthen trade corridors, and support long-term growth. GF: Is infrastructure finance changing?

2 months ago | gfmag.com | Andrea Murad |John Njiraini |Lyndsey Zhang |Thomas Monteiro

Persistent inflation and volatile interest rates defined much of the M&A landscape in 2024, dampening buy-side confidence even as activity gained momentum. By year’s end, global deal value had climbed 16% to surpass $3.4 trillion, according to Dealogic. But as macroeconomic pressures began to ease, fresh geopolitical tensions and a looming global trade war emerged, threatening hopes for a 2025 rebound. Early indicators suggest dealmakers face another turbulent year ahead.

2 months ago | gfmag.com | Andrea Murad |Thomas Monteiro |Lyndsey Zhang |John Njiraini

Debt capital markets enjoyed a 36% surge in total deal volume in 2024 compared to 2023, according to Dealogic. The US touted a 45% increase. Asia-Pacific (50%), Africa and the Middle East (57%), and Latin America (66%) did even better; and Europe posted a 19% gain. Japan was the only major market to decline, by 3%. Underwriter revenue from global Debt Capital Markets (DCM) reached $27.3 billion.