Northern European economies are continuing to outperform countries further south, and international investors show increasing interest in the on-going recovery of Iceland's financial sector and business environment.

As the country's investment climate improves, investors need a strong partner to navigate the opportunities within the island of potential that is Iceland.

As the only independent investment bank in Iceland, Straumur acts as a bridge between investors, corporations and market participants.

Following the collapse of the Icelandic banking sector in 2008, Straumur emerged as a new investment bank. The bank works closely with private and professional investors, companies, institutions and municipalities: focusing on helping investors achieve their objectives.

"We are driven to be a strong financial partner for our clients who are looking for comprehensive investment banking services," said Jakob Asmundsson, Straumur's CEO. "Our niche is a strong network in Iceland and abroad, enabling us to create opportunities for both domestic and international investors."

The bank offers investment banking, including brokerage, corporate finance advice, foreign exchange, initial public offerings, private equity and fund management.

As a member of every Nordic stock exchange through the NASDAQ OMX Nordic Exchange, Straumur is in a strong position to offer clients access to the major international stock exchanges.

Today, having gained extensive experience in the Icelandic market and established close relations with domestic, European and North American investors, Straumur is turning its attention to China.

"We see increased interest in Iceland from the international business community," says smundsson. "Iceland is rich with natural resources, including geothermal energy, fishing stocks and water.

"The opening of the arctic sailing route and increased industrial activities in Greenland are likely to positively impact the economy in the years to come.

"Iceland's future prospects are enviable in many regards, making Iceland a feasible option for patient investors looking to engage in strategic long-term investments."

"For Chinese investors, co-investing with a trusted local partner is very important," he concludes.

"Following the Free Trade Agreement signed between Iceland and China, we want to support Chinese investors looking for new opportunities. We intend to play an active role in the development of the Iceland-China relationship by supporting investors and enabling business relations to prosper between the two countries."

www.straumur.com