Artem Konstandyan, President, Promsvyazbank

Many Russian businesses were taken by surprise by the financial crisis and the country’s interconnection with the global economy. However, as Promsvyazbank’s Artem Konstandyan points out, Russia has weathered the crisis well and has huge potential for growth, with just 24 percent of the population estimated to have bank accounts, a rising per capita income, and increasing demand for financial products. He describes PSB’s plans to expand its retail services alongside its historic strengths.

Jeff Holland, Partner, Brown Brothers Harriman

Considerable regulatory and cost pressures have forced private banks to adopt new business models and distinguish clearly between their client segments. Brown Brothers Harriman has identified one emerging trend caused by this perfect storm: ‘multi-convergence’, where universal banks, private banks and asset managers are consolidating their businesses. Jeff Holland explains the changing landscape.

Paul Patterson, Head of Global Trust, RBC Wealth Management

In recent years, the Channel Islands have implemented higher standards of regulation. Combined with their natural strengths of political stability, tax neutrality and a large pool of wealth management talent, they have become recognised as high-standard financial centres. Paul Patterson outlines how RBC Wealth Management’s Canadian heritage, strong capital base, and uniquely integrated delivery put it ahead of its competitors in private banking, and describes some of the future opportunities that will arise from operating in the Channel Islands.

Rohit Walia, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Alpen Capital

Strategic investors are lining up to back a wave of infrastructure projects across the GCC, and the IMF cites strong external balances and rising oil prices in what it terms a “positive short-to-medium term economic outlook” for the region. Rohit Walia discusses what differentiates Alpen Capital in this overbanked market, its focus on the GCC-India business corridor, and its involvement in one of the largest transactions the UAE has seen.

Abdulrahman Al Ansari, Group CEO, First Capital Switzerland

According to the IMF, emerging economies will grow at an annual average rate of six percent in the coming years, making the GCC of particular interest to international investors. Abdulrahman Al Ansari outlines the UAE’s incentives for new businesses, First Capital of Switzerland’s role in supporting the local economy, and its Sharia-compliant window, FCS Al Islami.

Sami Farhat, General Manager, Invest Bank

Invest Bank believe that the secret to its success lies in a commitment to traditional, “pure” banking. Taking a slow-and-steady approach to growth has produced uninterrupted dividends for the last 18 years. Sami Farhat outlines how Invest Bank’s values of strong customer loyalty, managing resources effectively, and being prepared for the unexpected have made it one of the top four GCC banks.