Running fast

摘要

To Western bankers grappling with falling revenues and measly profits, bankers in Asia live in paradise. Revenues there increased at an annual rate of 9% over the past three years and returns on equity, a measure of profitability, reached 25% in some of the fastest-growing countries, according Oliver Wyman, a consulting firm. Even in slower-growing countries, such as Hong Kong and Malaysia, the figure is still above 15%, compared with 10% or less in Europe.