"Global Banking Industry Outlook 2007 - Issues on the horizon" is one of a set of annual publications that discuss the top issues within each sector.

The last decade has brought about significant change for banks, and they have largely proven their ability to adapt quickly in an increasingly challenging environment. This year will require much of the same flexibility and willingness to reshape themselves in an effort to stay ahead – while addressing similar, yet evolving themes.

To position themselves for success, global banking institutions must delve deeper into the trends impacting the industry and shape their strategies around them. This new study offers an analysis and perspective on the key issues facing global banks today. While many of these are not new, we believe these issues continue to remain at the forefront of the executive agenda, and in many cases, are rapidly changing – forcing banks to consider new players, new requirements and new strategies.

The study identifies five key issues for banks to focus on:

• Hedge funds enter the fray
• The ongoing cost-reduction imperative
• Offshoring 2.0
• Local insights for global branching
• Anti-money laundering regulations: tougher – and more complicated