Bank of Georgia may be sitting comfortably as the largest bank in the eastern European country, but it is not resting on its laurels, with plans to divest some of its acquisitions to focus on its core banking business.
Central & eastern Europe
Latest articles from Central & eastern Europe
What now for Russian capital markets?
August 1, 2014Political tensions continue to dog Russia's capital markets. Following a difficult few months, the shoots of a recovery seemed to be appearing until the US imposed another round of sanctions on the country and a deadly attack on a commercial airliner flying over a disputed region of Ukraine sparked fresh hostilities, jeopardising the market's fragile rebound.
ECB leaves eastern Europe feeling stressed
July 1, 2014Austrian banks are complaining that the eurozone stress test is biased against central and eastern Europe.
Moldova CBG hitting the inflation target
July 1, 2014Since taking office as governor of the National Bank of Moldova in 2009, Dorin Drăguţanu has implemented the country’s first inflation-targeting policy, has seen interest rates on loans and deposits decline and has welcomed amendments to the law on financial institutions. He speaks to The Banker about challenges surrounding transparency in the banking sector and economic implications of the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Crackdown on opaque ownership of Moldovan banks
July 1, 2014The problems faced by Moldova's banking sector are not performance related, but instead are deeply rooted in a lack of transparency in banks’ shareholder structures. After opaque shareholder changes in the country's two largest banks in 2013, authorities are working on a resolution.
Top 1000 World Banks – Sales bring changes in CEE but Russia still rules
June 30, 2014Little has changed at the top of the central and eastern European ranking, where Russian lenders still dominate, but sales and takeovers have caused a reshuffle further down the ranking.
A glimmer of hope for Bosnia's banks
June 2, 2014The complicated geographical and political make-up of Bosnia-Herzegovina, combined with its struggling economy and low purchasing power, makes life difficult for its overcrowded banking market. However, hope is on the horizon as economic growth picks up and looming elections bring promise of a more investor-friendly financial system.
Romania bond issue rides out Ukraine jitters
June 2, 2014Despite anxieties in the market over events in Ukraine, a Romanian bond issue was so successful it helped reprice the sovereign yield curve and prompted ratings upgrades.
A glimmer of hope for Ukraine?
May 1, 2014Between a floundering economy and volatile political situation, there is little room for optimism in Ukraine. But with new leaders hoping to tackle corruption and consolidate the fragmented banking sector, and with international funds earmarked to boost commercial lending, is the tide about to turn?