Latest articles from Central & eastern Europe

SocGen moves fast to make most of DCM boom

SocGen's DCM team makes most of bank disintermediation trend

April 2, 2012

Thus far, 2012 has witnessed a marked trend of corporates eschewing bank lending and turning instead to the debt capital markets. By acting quickly, the DCM team at SGCIB has put itself at the forefront of many of these deals.

teaser Hungarys economic woes play into local hands

Start-ups benefit from Hungarian banking sector woes

March 13, 2012

High non-performing loan ratios and stringent, ever-changing government policies have put foreign-owned banks in Hungary under pressure. As established players change their footing, allocating a larger proportion of their funds abroad, a number of smaller local outfits are moving in to capitalise on the potential of niche markets.

The search for a safe bet

ECB's LTRO gives Europe glimmer of hope

March 1, 2012

After a harrowing 2011 for Europe's crisis-hit sovereign states – and the banks doing business within them – the European Central Bank's long-term refinancing operation has given the markets a much needed boost and offers hope for 2012. However, some still claim that it is little more than a sticking plaster for Europe's troubles.

National Bank of Serbia

Serbia searching for new financing model

March 1, 2012

Corporate banking in Serbia remains under pressure from excess leverage, legal shortcomings and the absence of a capital market.

Europes banking sale of the century.jpg

Europe's banking sale of the century

March 1, 2012

Regulatory pressure and the high cost of capital are driving a radical change of asset ownership in Europe. But most banks could take years to sell their non-core assets.

Europe’s sovereign-linked issuers adapt to the new normal

March 1, 2012

The eurozone sovereign debt crisis has not just affected national treasuries, but also European supranationals and government-related entities. Philip Alexander hears from a range of larger and smaller borrowers across the eurozone and beyond.

Jurgen Ligi

Europe's real crisis is one of democracy, not debt

February 1, 2012

A return to economic growth in Estonia shows that it is possible to benefit from eurozone membership, even amid Europe's financial crisis. But governments must first acknowledge the limits of what the state can do.

Keep a balanced view on Hungary

February 1, 2012

The international community should not use the threat of financial ruin to overrule Hungary's democratically elected government.

Kosovo isolation

Kosovo's banking sector finds advantages in isolation

February 1, 2012

Kosovo’s highly capitalised and liquid banking sector has benefited from its relative insulation from international markets, but its banks must develop and diversify their activities in order to put their funds to work.

Russian banks

Russia's market structure begins to thaw

February 1, 2012

The largest state-owned banks still dominate the top of Russia’s banking system, but high returns, specialisation and consolidation in the private sector are creating signs of change.

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