Anita Hawser
- Multimedia Journalist, Freelance
- Freelance Editor, Defence Procurement International
- Europe Editor, Financial Times
- Europe Editor, The Banker
London, United Kingdom
Journalist, editor, researcher looking to tell stories in different ways
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Articles by Anita Hawser
Wildfires spark credit risks for regional European banks
But destruction is unlikely to result in a wider ‘credit event’, say analysts Europe’s devastating wildfires carry risks for lenders with concentrated regional mortgage, agriculture or small business loan books, Morningstar DBRS and other experts have warned.
Dressed To Kill
As we tore through the Arctic terrain on our snowmobiles in Jämtland County in Sweden in early February, little did I know that a harsh lesson soon awaited me.
The UAE’S Defensive Edge
In November 2019, at a lavish ceremony in Abu Dhabi, the EDGE Group was born out of more than 20 private companies drawn from three existing government entities: Emirates Defence Industries Company, Emirates Advanced Investments Group, and Tawazun Holding.
Scale Or Fail: The New Calculus Of Air Defence
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as several senior Iranian regime figures, were killed, alongside Iranian air defence capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields which were reportedly destroyed. Sacred Defence Week parade in Tehran However, one thing the US and Israel did not count on was the widespread damage wrought across the Gulf by the hundreds of retaliatory missiles and thousands of drones launched by Iran.
Data centres are pulling bank capital away from offshore wind, warns MUFG
REQUEST FREE TRIAL Report highlights wind financing challenge as lenders prioritise higher-yield tech infrastructure Japanese lender MUFG has urged export credit agencies and multilateral lenders to boost support for offshore wind projects as deal sizes grow and other technologies compete for bank capital.
HSBC climate plan draws criticism over scaled-back targets
Non-profits warn the new targets may lead other banks to lower climate ambitions as net zero transition stalls HSBC has been accused of “weakening its ambition”, and “watering down” decarbonisation targets for heavy polluters such as oil and gas, following the publication of its latest net zero transition plan. Some non-profits expressed concern it may trigger a spate of target weakening by other lenders.
Climate alliance NZBA disbands as banks vote for guidance-only role
Parametric insurance on the rise as climate impacts hit Asia Last year in the region, only 5% of losses linked to natural disasters were insured, compared with 52% in the US
How banks are avoiding ‘toxic’ ESG language
‘When do you pull the trigger?’ Rethinking insurance exposure in a warming world Extreme weather is undermining the viability of coverage, which is worrying investors
Latest Defence and Military News
News All the latest news from the defence industry and procurement sectors GM Defense to offer ISV for British Army's Light Mobility Vehicle programme 17 June 2025 Read >> US reviewing AUKUS involvement; Turkey to sell KAAN fighter jet to Indonesia 11 June 2025 Read >> UK Ministry of Defence to invest £1.5bn in munitions factories and to acquire long-range weapons By Anita Hawser - 01 June 2025 Read >> Patria and GDELS announce collaboration on ASCOD IFV for Latvian market 30 May 2025 Read >>...
Defence Procurement International - Sea
Britain needs to move to "warfighting readiness" says Strategic Defence Review By Anita Hawser - 02 June 2025 Read >> How Autonomous Defence Technology Is Shaping M&A By Tom Rowe-Jones - 04 April 2025 Read >> Financing Hurdles for EU Defence Companies Amid ESG Push By Giulia Tilenni - 04 April 2025 Read >> World Defense Show 2026 expands to support Saudi Arabia’s defence sector growth By SPONSORED CONTENT - 23 February 2025 Read >> The World Defense Show: The biggest defence show in the...
Defence Procurement - Land
Britain needs to move to "warfighting readiness" says Strategic Defence Review By Anita Hawser - 02 June 2025 Read >> How Autonomous Defence Technology Is Shaping M&A By Tom Rowe-Jones - 04 April 2025 Read >> Financing Hurdles for EU Defence Companies Amid ESG Push By Giulia Tilenni - 04 April 2025 Read >> BOXER armoured military vehicle programme celebrates 25 years By Anita Hawser - 04 April 2025 Read >> World Defense Show 2026 expands to support Saudi Arabia’s defence sector growth By...
European banks score poorly on net zero transition plans, according to new study
The climate transition plans of Europe’s 20 biggest banks are “not fit for purpose”, with only two banks scoring above 50 out of 100 for their climate strategies, according to new research published today by non-profit Reclaim Finance.
Study shows EU banks score poorly on net zero transition plans
Research by non-profit Reclaim Finance finds the climate transition plans of Europe’s 20 biggest banks are “not fit for purpose” France’s La Banque Postale, which had the highest overall score of 55.6, followed by ING with a score of 53, were the only two banks that scored above 50 in the study Reclaim Finance is urging European leaders to reject the European Commission’s omnibus proposal, saying the drive to reduce bureaucracy is “jeopardising” EU transition planning rules
NZBA to lower climate target and focus on Chinese and Indian banks
The Net Zero Banking Alliance plans to relax its climate target, moving from the stricter 1.5C limit to the Paris Agreement’s “well below 2C” target to make the initiative more inclusive Several major banks have left the NZBA in recent months, citing concerns over the feasibility of aligning their lending portfolios with the 1.5C target Some members, such as Triodos Bank, have expressed concerns about the alliance’s shift in direction, fearing it could weaken the commitment to climate goals
Where do big name US departures leave the Net-Zero Banking Alliance?
Weeks ahead of the inauguration of climate sceptic Donald Trump as US president for a second term, five of the country’s six largest banks have left the UN-convened Net-Zero Banking Alliance The exodus began on December 6 with Goldman Sachs. Wells Fargo, Citi and Bank of America followed suit the same month. Morgan Stanley announced its departure in early January Despite leaving the NZBA, US banks say their commitment to net zero is unchanged.
Barclays calls for UK climate tech fund to address £1.5bn shortfall
Bank study urges a review of UK public finance institutions to support the green transition Barclays is calling on the UK government to address a £1.5bn financing gap for growth-stage climate technology companies, which it says is critical if businesses are to scale at pace and the UK is to meet its net zero ambitions.
Smaller banks increasingly involved in fossil fuel financing, study finds
Request Free Trial By Anita Hawser and Aliya Shibli JPMorgan and other big banks continue to dominate fossil fuel financing, but an apparent new trend is the ‘stepping in’ of smaller lenders into deals other banks may not be willing to finance The big US and Japanese banks continue to dominate global fossil fuel financing, but some medium-sized and smaller lenders are “disproportionately financing” polluting industries in relation to their size, suggests research by Rainforest Action Network,...
Banks under pressure to reveal data comparing green and fossil fuel spending
Criticism sparks agreement by JPMorgan and Citigroup to develop a ratio to show whether a bank’s fossil fuel financing is outstripping the amount it is investing in clean energy The world’s largest banks are facing calls from investors and activists to publish ratios that compare their spending on ... To continue reading Request Free Trial Unlimited access to all content. Email alerts highlighting key industry insight. Invitations to attend exclusive roundtables and events.
Early adopters of the TNFD’s recommendations announced at Davos
Davos, the ski resort near Zurich where the global elite gather every year to chew over some of the world’s biggest problems, isn’t the...
What does a ‘better’ World Bank mean for the climate?
World Bank president Ajay Banga plans to start measuring performance based on outputs, rather than inputs, as the organisation tackles global challenges. But ending financing for fossil fuel-related activities doesn’t appear to be on the agenda for now Ajay Banga wants to build a “better” World Bank, one evaluated on ... To continue reading Request Free Trial Unlimited access to all content. Email alerts highlighting key industry insight. Invitations to attend exclusive roundtables and events.
Why are banks still financing fossil fuels?
By Anita Hawser Is it better to engage with fossil fuel companies or to divest as part of a net zero strategy? Some banks apparently prefer the first option, and are financing fossil fuel companies that are in expansion mode. It’s almost eight years since 2015’s historic Paris Agreement – a legally binding international ... To continue reading Request Free Trial Unlimited access to all content. Email alerts highlighting key industry insight. Invitations to attend exclusive roundtables and events.
Global Finance Magazine - Countries With The Most Debt
Government debt is just part of a country's debt load; companies and households borrow too. With interest rates and inflation skyrocketing, servicing debt has suddenly become a top concern for investors, public-sector bankers, and central banks. Looking at factors such as government and household finances, which are the most indebted countries? You might be surprised.
Global Finance Magazine - Which Countries Are Most Addicted To Debt?
Government debt is just part of a country's debt load; businesses and households borrow too. With interest rates and inflation skyrocketing, servicing debt has suddenly become a top concern for, investors and public-sector bankers. Looking at factors such as government and household debt, which are the most indebted countries? You might be surprised.
Global Finance Magazine - Liz Truss Goes Bust Amid Economic Turmoil
Liz Truss becomes the shortest-serving prime minister in British history but her chaotic economic legacy will live on. After a tumultuous 44 days in office—which saw unprecedented interventions by the Bank of England in the gilts market, and sterling falling to a 35-year low against the dollar—Liz Truss has resigned as UK Prime Minister. But she won’t be forgotten quickly.
Global Finance Magazine - United Kingdom: Queen’s Death Weakens Commonwealth Ties
Queen Elizabeth II’s passing may lead to independence bids from some the of 15 remaining realms under the rule of the British monarchy. On September 19, millions of Brits paid their last respects to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who was laid to rest at Windsor Castle. For many, they weren’t only mourning the passing of their long-reigning sovereign, but also the end of an era closely linked to the country’s colonial past.
Global Finance Magazine - Sterling’s Wild Ride
A confluence of events keeps the currency from ending its fall. Recently, the pound has plunged to levels not seen against the dollar since the mid-1980s, following the announcement of £45 billion in unfunded tax cuts by the UK government. At one point, sterling hit a 35-year low of 1.03 against the dollar. “The currency has fallen close to 10% on a trade-weighted basis in a little under two months,” ING economic analysts wrote on September 26.
FinTech News Issue #101
Top Stories Last year was an exciting one in the alternative investment industry, and all indications point to another great year in 2017. Here are 5 predictions that will dominate the industry in 2017... The banking industry is facing massive disruption, not just from the new entrants in the market but also from regulatory pressures across many jurisdictions, writes Justin Pugsley.
Global Finance Magazine - Leadership Insights: Q&A With Iceland Central Bank Governor Ásgeir Jónsson
Ásgeir Jónsson, governor of the Central Bank of Iceland, speaks to Global Finance about why he started hiking rates so soon and why he feels vindicated now that other central banks are following in his footsteps. “Central bank governors in this country have never been popular,” says Ásgeir Jónsson, governor since August 2019 of Seðlabanki Íslands, Iceland’s central bank, and the only central banker in this year’s Report Cards to be awarded an A+.
Global Finance Magazine - Central Banks Tiptoe Into Digital
Once scorned, central bank digital currencies are gaining traction as a new tool for smoother management of the money supply. Central bank digital currencies, or CBDCs, are “a [slow moving] train leaving a station,” Frantz Teissèdre, head of Interbank Relationships at Societe Generale, once said.
Global Finance Magazine - EU Sets New Crypto Regulations
Although national legislation for crypto assets already existed in some member states, no specific regulatory framework at the EU level has existed until now.
Global Finance Magazine - Russia Defaults On Debt
Moscow argues that default is a technicality and that debt payments have been held up by Western sanctions. On June 27, Russia defaulted on its foreign debt for the first time since 1918. “Holders of Russia’s sovereign debt had not received coupon payments on two eurobonds worth $100 million [combined] by the time the 30-calendar-day grace period expired, which we consider an event of default under our definition,” said ratings agency Moody’s in an issuer comment.
Global Finance Magazine - Swift's Sticking Power
Despite emerging alternatives, the network power of Swift makes it tough to remain in the global financial system and avoid sanctions. Until the war in Ukraine, the financial messaging network Swift (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) was only known to payment nerds and the more than 11,000 banks in 200 countries that use it every day to securely transmit messages pertaining to financial transactions.
Global Finance Magazine - Unbowed By Sanctions, Russia Claims No-Fault Default
Western sanctions have failed to harm Russia's economy enough to stop the war, and the country's good-faith efforts to repay international investors may win sympathy for a new global financial order. A Default Like No Other As the West continues to punish Russia economically, many are wondering whether these efforts can stop Vladimir Putin’s war machine. In the early phase of the war in Ukraine, the ruble lost almost half its value and there were reports of empty supermarket shelves.
Global Finance Magazine - Stablecoins Terra, Luna Brought Back To Earth
UST’s collapse will accelerate regulatory actions toward stablecoins demanded by Jeremy Allaire, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Circle, which pioneered USD Coin, and others in the cryptocurrency community. Of all the cryptocurrencies, stablecoins are meant to be the most stable, as their value is pegged to real-world assets such as physical currencies or other liquid assets.
Global Finance Magazine - Sberbank Takes De-Swifting In Stride
Inspired by prior experience being locked out of Western banking systems, the Russian bank’s defensive initiatives are paying off. More than three months into the war in Ukraine, the European Commission (EC) has decided to cut off Russia's largest bank, Sberbank, from the global financial messaging network, Swift.
Global Finance Magazine - Treasury Transitions To Green
Corporate risk planning is driving a deeper embrace of ESG, with banks and their customers collaborating in this rapidly changing sector. When ING Bank and Dutch electronics giant Philips launched the first sustainability-linked loan in 2017, “banks asked us, ‘What are you doing?’” recalls Robert Spruijt, ING’s head of Sustainable Finance for Europe the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
Global Finance Magazine - On The Sanctions Frontline
Banks told to 'lawyer up' as the realities of implementing sanctions against Russia bite for regulatory risk and financial crime teams. Thousands of Russian individuals and entities have been sanctioned by more than 20 countries since the war in Ukraine began.
Global Finance Magazine - Ukraine's Central Bank At War
Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, Sergiy Nikolaychuk, talks to Global Finance magazine about how the central bank is keeping the lights on and the economy moving amid a brutal war.
Global Finance Magazine - Some Countries Say “Yes” To Russia
Western governments have shunned Russia but doing so is not a viable option for many countries across the global. Not every country can afford to shut Russia out. However, what is the price of swimming against the tide of global public opinion?
Global Finance Magazine - Cash Forecasting: Q&A With ION Treasury's Viola Hechl-Schmied
Viola Hechl-Schmied, product owner for machine learning at ION Treasury, lifts the lid on the AI-based tools the company integrated into its platform to help treasurers make quicker and more accurate cash forecasts. Global Finance: Which types of companies leverage ION Treasury’s machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) for cash forecasting? Viola Hechl-Schmied: Most companies have an existing cash forecasting process that works, but there is room for improvement.
Global Finance Magazine - Best Treasury and Cash Management Providers 2022: Systems And Services
Global Finance names the year’s best treasury and cash management providers in systems and services. The mantra “cash is king” is as relevant as ever in treasury and cash management (TCM) and TCM systems hold the key to getting a grip on cash. Technology has never been more useful; but it hasn’t always been a treasurer’s best friend. A lot of functionality in large enterprise systems goes unused, and a lot of TCM software hasn’t delivered as promised.
Global Finance Magazine - Executive Insights: Q&A With Neo's Laurent Descout
Laurent Descout, founder and CEO at Neo, talks about businesses’ need for a truly global account, with both automation and financing embedded. Global Finance: Why does corporate banking need a new type of bank? Laurent Descout: Payments and FX [foreign exchange] in treasury management is ripe for reform.
Global Finance Magazine - JPMorgan Logs Onto Web 3.0
Banks like JPMorgan are mostly on Decentraland—a 3D virtual world run by the nonprofit—to learn. The largest US bank, JPMorgan Chase, is the first financial institution to open a customer lounge in Decentraland, a 3D virtual world run by the nonprofit Decentraland Foundation. Also known as a metaverse or Web 3.0, these are virtual worlds where users can buy virtual plots of land as nonfungible tokens (NFTs) recorded on a blockchain using cryptocurrency.
Global Finance Magazine - UK Law Agents Seize NFTs
Britain's tax authority became the first law enforcement agency in the country to seize nonfungible tokens (NFTs). Have regulators finally caught up with the crypto Wild West? The UK’s tax authority, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), became the first UK law-enforcement agency to seize nonfungible tokens (NFTs) in a suspected value-added tax (VAT) fraud probe.
Global Finance Magazine - Europe Unites To Remove Russian Banks From Swift
In a dramatic turnaround, European nations put their differences and national interests aside to do what was formerly unthinkable. As fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces entered its fourth day, countries finally bit the bullet and agreed to ban selected Russian banks from the global interbank financial messaging system, Swift.
Global Finance Magazine - Russia Escapes Swift Sanctions—For Now
Despite a raft of sanctions announced by the US and other countries targeting Russia's biggest banks, there is no international consensus about removing Russia from the Swift network—yet. The Brussels-based banking network SWIFT has remained tightlipped, despite being at the center of a brewing international storm over whether to cut Russia off from the financial messaging network, which connects more than 11,000 banks globally.
Global Finance Magazine - World’s Best Supply Chain Finance Providers 2022
SCF is no longer a luxury that only the largest suppliers can afford. Last year was a memorable year for supply chain finance (SCF) for many reasons. At the start of the pandemic in 2020, buyers began extending membership in their SCF programs to small and midsize enterprises (SMEs), a trend that continued well into 2021. However, last year’s collapse of Greensill Capital brought some unwanted attention to the little-known and opaque world of SCF.
Global Finance Magazine - Metaverse: Walmart Readies For Web 3.0
Walmart is finalizing its push into the metaverse, according to trademark application filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office at the end of 2021.
FactSet snaps up CUSIP as S&P Global ends more than 50-year relationship with the company
S&P Global has sold the ‘gold standard’ identifier for securities services, CUSIP Global Services (CGS), to FactSet for $1.9 billion in cash. Connecticut-based FactSet, which entered into a definitive agreement to acquire CGS from S&P Global, will receive an estimated tax benefit of approximately $200 million as part of the transaction, which will expand its critical role in global capital markets, advancing its open data strategy.
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