DBS, once the Development Bank of Singapore and still the banking face of the island state and its Temasek investment fund, is seen pushing outward from its Southeast Asian base toward a broader pan-Asian presence.

FORBES: Singapore's Banker Speaks

One or two big firms have tried to encourage a pan-European retail-investor base.

ECONOMIST: European capital markets

The country has been run by presidents from the PAN, a conservative, business-friendly party with a base of support in the north of the country.

FORBES: Connect