As the man at the top of Russia’s biggest bank, Sberbank president and chief executive Herman Gref, presides over an institution with ambitious long-term fintech plans. He talks to Stefanie Linhardt about the challenges to its overseas operations and dealing with the fallout from the rouble’s collapse.

As the Russian economy recovers, the new equilibrium brings fresh challenges to the financial sector. Stefanie Linhardt finds out how the management at many of the country's leading banks are adapting to this environment at the International Financial Congress in St Petersburg.

As Russia contemplates a restructuring of its creaking pensions system, investors expect a positive effect on the securities market with the introduction of private individual pension capital accounts. However, the market is still immature and many decisions on reform are still to be made. Stefanie Linhardt reports from the International Financial Congress (IFC) in St Petersburg. 

Lenders in the EU's Top 250 Banks ranking have seen an aggregate drop in profits and Tier 1 capital, though Austria's banking sector managed to reverse this trend. Stefanie Linhardt reports.

Jiri Smejc, chief executive of Czech lender Home Credit, tells Stefanie Linhardt why China represents a vital step outside its central European comfort zone.

Having established a Dublin headquarters, Citi's Europe, Middle East and Africa operations are well prepared for Brexit. And a strategic overhaul four years ago tightened up its risk management, leaving it leaner and safer, as the US bank's EMEA head, Jim Cowles, tells Stefanie Linhardt.

The UK’s departure from the EU looks set to leave London a less attractive European base for some companies. Stefanie Linhardt examines the reasons to relocate – and the reasons to stay put.