The Czech and Slovak republics headed down different paths when Slovakia adopted the euro in 2009 but the business model and performance of the two countries’ banks remain remarkably similar.

Turkey’s central bank is attempting an unusual combination of tightening monetary policy using reserve requirements, while combating speculative inflows through interest rate cuts. But the outcome remains uncertain.

Many Turkish banks enjoyed record results in 2010, with high return on equity, efficient operations, strong capital ratios and falling inflation. However, changing domestic economic conditions will drive new strategies in 2011 and beyond.

The consolidation of Société Générale's Russian subsidiaries will create a universal bank with firepower, its chief executive Vladimir Golubkov explains to Brian Caplen.

In the space of a few months, Russia’s second largest bank has engineered ground-breaking bond issues, a kick-start to the government’s privatisation programme, and two acquisitions.

Bank of Moscow's debut Eurobond could hardly have been launched at a more difficult time. The political intrigue surrounding the mayor of Moscow was compounded by a potential change of ownership at the bank and a downgrading by Moody's.

Polish banks navigated the financial crisis in relatively good health. But fierce competition and weak foreign owners both suggest further consolidation in a market that is still fragmented.

Polish policy-makers appear to be pushing the prospects for euro adoption further into the future. But this still leaves the country's banks with a dilemma about how to respond to client demand for retail loans in foreign currencies. Writer Philip Alexander