In the 1996 to 1997 period, global custodians will continue to aggressively expand networks in new emerging markets.

The global custodians averaged slightly over eight country additions to networks for the last twelve months. This experience is consistent with reported plans from last year's survey. When queried about expansion plans for the coming year, the group's average was just over ten new planned additions. The apparent interest of global investors in new emerging markets is inexorable!

In the last twelve months, the global custodians were busily expanding networks in Ecuador, Egypt and Russia- the three most popular countries, receiving the attention of six global custodians. Bahrain, Cyprus, Lebanon, Mauritius and Namibia followed in a close second.

Looking forward to the next twelve months, the most popular country addition to the network is Romania - with seven global custodians busily developing the necessary local infrastructure to support business. Other notable network additions, planned for the next twelve months, are the countries of Bolivia, Cost Rica, Estonia, Lebanon (for two years running), Oman, and Slovenia ,each country receiving a vote from six custodians.

The countries - shown in the accompanying diagram - attracted the most activity in the "last twelve months/next twelve months" categories. In addition, one or two custodians mentioned plans to add an interesting diversity of countries to their networks, for example Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

A separate Network Management Chart is presented for each global custodian. Simply select the specific custodian from The Global Custody Yearbook and then, Network.
[Note: User authentication required for access to individual Network Management Charts.]

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