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Western Europe

Cajas shrug off stress test failure

Despite five of Spain's savings banks featuring among the seven institutions to fail the EU stress tests, the surprising results can be seen as a positive turning point in the cajas' 200-year history, with reform, consolidation and new access to foreign capital likely to strengthen their vaults. Writer Jules Stewart

Andorra

Andorra opens up

Haven in the hills: Andorra la Vella, the capital of Andorra, whose private banking services and lack of taxation have traditionally been as attractive as its sceneryHaven in the hills: Andorra la Vella, the capital of Andorra, whose private banking services and lack of taxation have traditionally been as attractive as its scenery

Under pressure from the international community, Andorra is trying to increase the transparency of its banking sector, while deficit-driven tax reforms could erode its tax haven status. Writer Rodrigo Amaral

Austria

What really happened at Hypo Group Alpe Adria

Small change: Hypo Group Alpe Adria was nationalised late last year for the sum of €3Small change: Hypo Group Alpe Adria was nationalised late last year for the sum of €3

The nationalisation of Austria's Hypo Alpe Adria had more to do with regulation and ownership models than exposure to emerging Europe. Writer Philip Alexander

Belgium

Jean-Paul Votron, Fortis CEO

A quiet revolution

The three-way acquisition of ABN AMRO by RBS, Santander and Fortis proved a remarkable collaborative effort, as Fortis CEO Jean-Paul Votron tells Geraldine Lambe.

Cyprus

In the bidding labyrinth

Are the Bank of Cyprus’s days numbered? Nick Kochan reports on the rival predators’ struggle for the bank, and the opposing forces of regulators and nationalists.

Denmark

Dong taps starved sterling investors

Carsten Thomsen, CFO at Dong EnergyCarsten Thomsen, CFO at Dong Energy

Dong Energy took an opportunistic approach with its first sterling issue and found a hungry market, starved of issuance in 2010. Writer Charlie Corbett

Finland

Markku Pohjola, Nordea

A state of immunity

Conservatism, strong deposit bases and past consolidation bode well for Finland’s banks in the global credit squeeze, writes Robert Anderson.

France

Christine Lagarde - Interview

The no-nonsense style of France’s finance minister has won her many admirers. She tells The Banker of how she intends to tackle the hardest task of her tenure, that of regulating France and Europe’s post-crisis banking landscape. Writer Silvia Pavoni

Germany

Deutsche Bank's corporate finance business comes of age

Stephan Leithner, Deutsche Bank's co-head of global client coverage and chairman of the corporate finance executive committeeStephan Leithner, Deutsche Bank's co-head of global client coverage and chairman of the corporate finance executive committee

Deutsche Bank's co-head of global client coverage and chairman of the corporate finance executive committee explains how the bank's performance during the crisis has opened new doors for it both in Europe and the crucial US market. Writer Geraldine Lambe

Greece

George Papaconstantinou

George Papaconstantinou, Greek finance ministerGeorge Papaconstantinou, Greek finance minister

Things look very different for Greece compared to a year ago. A new government intent on change, and the help of the IMF, has brought the country back from the brink of bankruptcy - and served as a wake-up call for the rest of Europe in the process

Iceland

Jóhanna Sigurdardóttir

Jóhanna Sigurdardóttir, prime minister of IcelandJóhanna Sigurdardóttir, prime minister of Iceland

Nowhere was hit as hard by the credit crisis as Iceland, but as the country rebuilds its economy and banking sector, it is determined to learn from this harshest of lessons.

Ireland

Irish government hopes its bad bank will work

Getting the message: the formation of NAMA has led to protests in Ireland

Getting the message: the formation of NAMA has led to protests in Ireland

The Irish government has opted for a 'bad bank' to save the nation's finances by buying up bad loans. With some experts unconvinced this was the best solution, only time will tell if the gamble pays off. Writer Philippa Maister

Italy

Italy: Survival or siesta?

Italy exemplifies everything that is wrong with Europe - poor government finances, stultifying bureaucracy and rising labour costs. Can it sort itself out? Silvia Pavoni, an Italian national who lives in the UK, takes a long, hard look.

Luxembourg

Outside influence

The state-owned Banque et Caisse d'Epargne de l'Etat may be performing well, but Luxembourg operations of Fortis and Dexia have encountered problems as the knock-on effect of the recession in powerful neighbouring economies takes its toll on one of the world's smallest countries. Writer Nick Kochan

Reinforcement required: Luxembourg's major banks have needed assistance in the face of the economic crisis
Reinforcement required: Luxembourg's major banks have needed assistance in the face of the economic crisis

Malta

Malta stands tall in finance

Since joining the EU six years ago, the Maltese banking sector has flourished and the country has developed a firm yet flexible regulatory regime, supported by the European regulatory environment. In this Masterclass, Professor Joseph Bannister, president of the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), discusses the recent restructuring of the authority and how it aims to further strengthen Malta's status as an international financial centre. Writer Michael Imeson

The Netherlands

Rabobank's 'Rhineland' approach pays off

Demonstrating the merits of the co-operative structure, The Netherlands' Rabobank has performed stronger in the crisis than many commercial banks enticed by high-profit yet high-exposure investment banking practices. Writer Brian Caplen

Norway

Thomas Neckmar, Nordea

Nordic banks braced for Baltic slowdown

As recessions loom in the Baltic states, Scandinavian banks have reason to be grateful for their reliable domestic earnings, reports Karina Robinson.

Turkey

The NPL threat to Turkey's progress

Excess baggage: a growing number of NPLs to SMEs in Turkey is threatening to thwart the expansion plans of the country's banksExcess baggage: a growing number of NPLs to SMEs in Turkey is threatening to thwart the expansion plans of the country's banks

As Turkey pulls out of its economic slump, its relatively unscathed banks are ready to finance growth and are increasing lending and planning significant expansion. However, a growing problem of non-performing loans may stifle recovery and put the brakes on their ambition. Writer Metin Demirsar

Portugal

Portugal's plan settles the nerves

Charting a recovery: Portuguese finance minister Fernando Teixeira dos Santos gives a graphic illustration of the intended impact of the government's stability and growth programmeCharting a recovery: Portuguese finance minister Fernando Teixeira dos Santos gives a graphic illustration of the intended impact of the government's stability and growth programme

The trials and tribulations of the Greek economy have caused a few nervous glances to be cast in the direction of Portugal, with some observers worried that the country could face a similar debt crisis. However, the Portuguese government's late budget and four-year austerity programme have gone a long way to allaying such fears. Writer Peter Wise

San Marino

Microstate with macro ambitions

David Lane reports on the tiny state of San Marino’s bid to take on the likes of Ireland and Luxembourg.

Spain

Cajas shrug off stress test failure

Despite five of Spain's savings banks featuring among the seven institutions to fail the EU stress tests, the surprising results can be seen as a positive turning point in the cajas' 200-year history, with reform, consolidation and new access to foreign capital likely to strengthen their vaults. Writer Jules Stewart

Sweden

Thomas Neckmar, Nordea

Nordic banks braced for Baltic slowdown

As recessions loom in the Baltic states, Scandinavian banks have reason to be grateful for their reliable domestic earnings, reports Karina Robinson.

Switzerland

Rebuilding UBS: Can UBS revive its business and reputation?

UBS has endured a catastrophic three years. Now, under the stewardship of former Credit Suisse chief Oswald Grübel, the bank is attempting to restore its reputation and revive its business. Geraldine Lambe reports.

United Kingdom

UK offshore centres fight 'tax haven' label

Shipshape: the Isle of Man says its financial regulation is more watertight than that of the UKShipshape: the Isle of Man says its financial regulation is more watertight than that of the UK

The UK's offshore financial centres do not deny that they have accommodating tax regimes, but they baulk at the label 'tax haven' and all the negative connotations that tag brings. Writer Charlie Corbett


Cash management: the new age

The true costs of the bailout discussion


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