Political 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.

The ongoing dispute over the sovereignty of the Ukrainian republic of Crimea, which is currently occupied by Russian forces, has wreaked havoc in its financial sector, with many banks pulling out of the region and depositors unable to access their funds.

The merger of the Micex and RTS groups to form the Moscow Exchange has proven harmonious and, so far, successful, with plenty of big names attracted to the bourse. Indeed, as Moscow looks to prove its credentials as an international finance hub, the exchange appears to be setting the standards for the rest of the city's financial institutions to follow.

A new inflation targeting framework, efforts to improve the supply of credit and the implementation of Basel III all pose challenges for the Bank of Russia, as well as opportunities to modernise the country's financial system.