Zurich/ AFP Credit Suisse, Switzerland’s second-biggest bank, said on Thursday it defied market expectations by posting a profit amid a vast cost cutting programme. Net earnings came in at 41 million Swiss francs (38 million euros, $42 million), a massive decline of 95 percent from the same quarter last year. But the bank still did better than analysts had …

  Bloomberg After scaling back Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.’s Asian businesses, Chief Executive Officer Shayne Elliott is now turning his attention closer to home. The country’s third-biggest bank is exploring “a range” of possible options for its Australian wealth business, it said on Thursday as it announced its its lowest full-year earnings since 2011. That may include …

  LAGOS / AP The African Development Bank (AfDB) is loaning Nigeria $600 million to help offset a budget deficit of $7 billion, a statement said. The bank said another $400 million would be approved next year if the government implements reforms to economize on government costs, combat corruption and promote diversification and competitiveness in Africa’s biggest economy. Nigeria is …