Attempts by foreign criminal organisations to launder illicit earnings through Malta in a variety of complex ways is seen to be on the rise, according to the annual report of the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU). Criminals seem to be creatively trying to explore and exploit newer areas of business in a growing financial centre. FIAU Report 2012
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) slapped a penalty of nearly Rs 50 crore among 22 banks for violation of Know Your Customer (KYC) and anti money laundering (ALM) norms. Moreover, it warned seven more banks by issuing cautionary letters.
Among private sector lenders, RBI found violations of regulatory instructions (in terms of KYC and ALM) in Yes Bank (fined Rs 2 crore), Kotak Mahindra Bank (Rs 1.501 crore), ING Vysya Bank (Rs 1.50), Federal Bank (Rs 3 crore), Development Credit Bank or DCB (Rs 1 crore), Dhanlaxmi Bank (Rs 2 crore), Lakshmi Vilas Bank (Rs 2.50 crore) and Jammu & Kashmir Bank (Rs 2.501).
South-based public sector lenders including Canara Bank, Andhra Bank and Vijaya Bank will have to shell out to the tune Rs 3.001 crore, Rs 2.50 crore and Rs 2 crore respectively.
North-based Punjab National Bank ( PNB ) and Punjab & Sind Bank are carrying a fine of Rs 2.50 crore each. Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) will pay a sum of 2 crore. Kolkata-based United Bank of India ( UBI ) is also penalised by Rs 2.50 crore.
Deutsche Bank A. G. is the only foreign lender to have appeared in the list of 22 banks. It will have to share Rs 1 crore with the central bank as fine…RBI Press Release
Countries are realizing that when you invest in women, you invest in communities and entire nations. Women are the highest-return investment you can have. That’s why they shouldn’t just get microcredit but proper bank loans. But every change begins with awakening and accountability, and many countries are now very advanced in this area, for example Brazil, India, South Africa. Empowering Widows the World Over
When Ina Drew took the fall for a 6 billion dollar Chase loss in London, people cried foul. Was a woman being blamed because it was easier. In Bloomberg Melissa S. Fisher comments instead of how far women have and have not come in the financial sector. How Women Rose on Wall Street to Take the Fall
There is a growing band of women professionals who have and are actively contributing to the development of Islamic finance in their own right…Women empowerment Women empowerment through Islamic banking and finance. Women empowerment 
What is disturbing, and perhaps this is what Warren is getting at, is that since the financial crisis the risk-reward equation has been flipped. Because of the government’s implicit guarantee to rescue banks deemed too big to fail, the risk is low. Meanwhile, the marriage of commercial banks with investment banks has created a compensation environment with high rewards. Much of the fear that should be part of banking has been wrung out of the system. Should Banking Be Boring
The agency says it could not find an American company capable of making the high-tech steel plates it wants, but critics say the decision came down to cheaper labor. With unemployment a nagging problem and infrastructure falling apart, can’t US companies figure out how to deliver the goods and employ Americans? MTA in New York Uses Toll Money to Circumvent Their Obligation to Buy American
Not too big to fail the banks may get critical instructions on conducting a banking business. Here is a draft of the important bill. 21stCenturyGlassSteagall 
The law has changed. Hedgefunds can now advertise their wares. Here are some Sunday-type thoughts on the matter. Hedge Fund Marketing Proposal
With 45 per cent to 62 per cent of London’s most desirable areas owned by high net worth individuals from abroad who divide their time between multiple homes, London, more than any other world city, suffers from the doughnut effect: the hollowed out centre in which few people now live permanently. Prime central London property prices inflate bubble fears
