Bloomberg The Bank of Japan’s unprecedented review of its unprecedented monetary policy has stepped up focus on a key group of Governor Haruhiko Kuroda’s allies. A trio of top officials in the Monetary Affairs Department, led by Executive Director Masayoshi Amamiya — referred to by some as BOJ — is leading the initiative, according to people familiar with the …

  Reuters Bahrain-based Al Baraka Banking Group, one of the Gulf’s top Islamic banks, said its Pakistani unit would merge with Pakistan’s Burj Bank to create an institution with assets totalling more than $1.1 billion. The merger, which was approved by shareholders of the two banks last month and still needs regulatory approvals, would see Burj Bank holders receive one …

  Bloomberg Standard Chartered Plc will look beyond Angola’s oil and gas industry to pursue growth and remains committed to the southwest African nation even as a plunge in crude prices batters the economy, according to the U.K. lender’s local partner. The bank was “focused on the oil sector but with changes we’re seeing today in the market an adaptation” …