Russian banks dominate the 2017 central and eastern Europe rankings, with more making it into the Top 1000. And while Ukraine’s State Savings Bank has moved up the list, it is the country’s only bank left in the ranking. Stefanie Linhardt reports.
Ukraine greeted 2017 with cautious optimism, as its GDP ticked up and a banking sector shake-up proved successful. Now a blockade of the separatist east threatens to stall economic recovery, while political complications could slow the reforms crucial to attracting investment. Stefanie Linhardt reports.
Recent years have seen a shake-up of Ukraine’s banking sector that has halved the number of institutions in the country and culminated in the nationalisation of its largest lender, Privatbank. Yet challenges remain, with more casualties likely as small and Russian state-owned banks come under scrutiny. Stefanie Linhardt reports.
Currency depreciation took its toll in The Banker's Top Central and Eastern Europe EU Banks rankings, leading to mixed results. Polish banks maintained their lead, with notable success stories coming from Romania and Slovenia. Stefanie Linhardt reports.
As the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development prepares for its annual meeting in May, its president, Suma Chakrabarti, talks to Stefanie Linhardt about tackling global environmental challenges, hopes for the reunification of Cyprus and the possible impact of Brexit on EBRD financing.
With last year’s failed coup followed by a radical change in powers for Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government, uncertainty is the watchword for Turkish banks. With a tumbling currency and pressure to cut interest rates, their outlook looks set to remain challenging. David O’Byrne and Stefanie Linhardt report.
Andreas Dombret, member of the board at Deutsche Bundesbank, Germany's central bank, tells Stefanie Linhardt about the issues banks thinking of re-locating to Germany would have to consider, the negative consequences lower standards of regulation could bring for financial markets and the risks of a 'no deal' Brexit.
Sweden is enjoying impressive economic growth, reflected in rising house prices and an increase in household debt. Now, fears of a property bubble are fuelling calls for the government to speed up measures to cool the market. Stefanie Linhardt reports.
Sweden’s banks have survived the recent low interest rate environment and remain profitable. But a payroll tax on financial institutions and ongoing regulatory uncertainty threaten to take their toll. Stefanie Linhardt outlines the likely headwinds.
The general manager of the Andorran Banking Association, Esther Puigcercós Font, tells Stefanie Linhardt how the country's banks are becoming more transparent, and explains how they are adhering to EU standards despite the country not being a member of the union.