The global financial market is growing at a breathtaking speed. It is tough to keep track of latest development and trends holistically, especially when we see multiple worldwide publications invested in creating content for the financial space. It is confusing to understand and believe in the authoritativeness of these publications.

As a financial investor, I am always on the lookout of credible financial news and I was pleasantly surprised when I came across this dedicated magazine on banking and finance called, Global Banking and Finance Review, and I decided to meet the founder, Varun Sash, for a quick coffee and discuss about his work. Here is a brief rendition of our talks.

~ On the foundation of the magazine.

Varun Sash started the magazine in 2010 due to a severe lack of notable, independent, well-researched and valuable information about the banking and financial markets. There wasn’t a go-to resource he could refer, and he decided to jump into the growing world of online content and create a magazine that would offer independent and informative news to finance enthusiasts. Thus, the Global Banking and Finance Review magazine was born. The operations of the magazine are based out of London. Singapore.

~ On the growth of the magazine.

It isn’t easy to run a website and Varun understood this soon enough. A major roadblock was the hiring of content creators. Since this is a niche space, one cannot hire generic writers who do not possess the mettle to analyse and write financial content. This segment is not where one could just rehash content and publish it. During my interaction with Varun, I understood that he had genuine passion for the finance industry and he wanted to put the “best” content out there. Various hits and misses later, he was able to forge the perfect team, with Wanda Rich as its Editor-in-Chief. Once the content part was sorted, everything fell into place. Varun was able to quote some statistics and those were impressive! In 2017 alone, the magazine received 3.6 million visitors and 9.2 million pageviews. The portal was being read in 200 companies and the readership included the decisions makers of organizations, such as the CEOs, CFOs, and Presidents of financial institutions and major banks.

Apart from its online version, a print version of the Global Banking and Finance Review magazine is distributed quarterly. They are available globally across various business lounges and first class airport lounges of UAE, Bahrain, London, Singapore, Indonesia, Germany, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Oman, and Taiwan. The magazines are also mailed by job title to various countries, and the quarterly readership of the print magazine and its digital version is about 100,000.

~ On market coverage

The magazine employs experienced industry journalists who provides in-depth and minute coverage on CSR activities, banking, foreign exchange, brokerage, Islamic finance, mutual funds, wealth management, corporate finance, corporate governance, merger and acquisitions, taxation and accounting practices, inward investments, and more.

~ On Global Banking & Finance Awards

Global Banking & Finance Review started its Annual Awards program in 2011 and has awarded many banking and financial institutions such as the Scotiabank, DBS Bank, Bank of Montreal. When I asked Varun about this, he said that the idea behind initiating the Awards in 2011 was to give value to notable work being done in the financial space. He says that the Awards reflect the innovation, achievement, strategy, progressive and inspirational changes taking place within the global financial community. The Awards recognize companies showing excellence in all financial areas.

~ On future prospects

Varun has big things planned for the magazine in the next 5 years. He wants the magazine to reach newer heights and I wish him all the luck in the world!