Hank Tucker, Forbes Staff

Innovative firms serving the back office needs of Wall Street and other large enterprises continue to prosper, with promising new startups in a crucial niche–fraud prevention–sprouting.

Megadeals and private equity titans may dominate the headlines. Still, Los Angeles’ Ares Management has quietly amassed US$352 billion in assets by offering steady returns regardless of what happens in the stock market. Subscribe to Forbes Australia for full access to this and all articles today Subscribe     Already a subscriber? Sign In  

Like the 20th Century transformation of NCNB into Bank of America, First Citizens’ Frank Holding Jr. is building another North Carolina super regional with grand national ambitions.

10-year Treasury yields have climbed near 4% too, but investors who are looking for higher steady interest payouts.

When Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent most emerging-markets funds plummeting, Perth Tolle’s Freedom Fund avoided most of the carnage.