The Georgian banking sector is growing and there is healthy competition. Bank of Georgia CEO Lado Gurgenidze is looking at what lies ahead for banks in the Caucasus. James Hydzik reports.

Moldova is a land-locked country of about 4.2 million people. Gross domestic product (GDP) for 2004 was about 32bn lei ($2.6bn), a growth of 7.3% in real terms over 2003. Major contributors to real GDP growth were agriculture (3.4%), services (2.6%) and manufacturing (0.9%).

As Romania’s banks cash in on the surge in consumer borrowing, the central bank, concerned about a rising current account deficit, is placing stringent curbs on foreign currency lending. The measures are proving highly controversial.

After a bear market and fund scandals, The Bucharest Stock Exchange’s market capitalisation is in the ascendancy. But more privatisation is necessary if the gains are to be consolidated.

Despite significant structural change over the past five years, Romania faces daunting macroeconomic challenges as it gears up for EU membership. 

Before Ukraine has settled into its new government, the big banks of Europe have already decided that they want a presence in the country. James Hydzik reports on the growing acquisitions activity.

Raiffeisen International chairman and CEO Herbert Stepic talks to Karina Robinson about how to achieve an 83% increase in profits.

While Croatia’s banking sector is on a sound footing, with foreign investors now accounting for more than 90% of its total assets, the central bank’s restrictive measures to curb credit growth are frustrating lenders. By Nick Spiro.

Croatia’s fledgling capital markets are benefiting from a surge in interest from domestic and foreign investment funds and a fast-growing corporate bond market as negotiations for EU membership get under way. Nick Spiro reports.

Lithuania’s banking sector has come from nowhere a decade ago to become a highly competitive business.James Hydzik reports.