Greek banks control at least a fifth of the banking markets in Bulgaria and Romania but, despite this exposure to one of Europe's more troubled economies, bankers in the two countries believe there will still be a sufficient supply of credit to meet demand. Writer Philip Alexander
World
Latest articles from World
Andorra opens up
July 28, 2010Under pressure from the international community, Andorra is trying to increase the transparency of its banking sector, while deficit-driven tax reforms could erode its tax haven status. Writer Rodrigo Amaral
Sukuk-based project finance takes off
July 28, 2010The capital markets were deemed too fragile to issue a riyal-denominated Islamic bond to help fund Satorp's greenfield refining project in Saudi Arabia, but that doesn't mean this type of asset funding has gone away. Project sukuk are becoming well known in the Middle East as Islamic finance-friendly products. Writer James Gavin
UK offshore centres fight 'tax haven' label
July 28, 2010The UK's offshore financial centres do not deny that they have accommodating tax regimes, but they baulk at the label 'tax haven' and all the negative connotations that tag brings. Writer Charlie Corbett
A coming of age
July 28, 2010Enjoying Israel's new status as a developed market, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange is pushing to attract high-tech listings, planning to renew its IT system and playing its part in Israeli-Palestinian relations. Writer Michelle Price
Dispute casts shadow over BTA Bank's restructuring
July 28, 2010The debt restructuring deal for Kazakhstan's BTA Bank was signed in May 2010, but a bitter dispute between the current and former owners of the bank continues to cast a shadow over its future. Writer Philip Alexander
VTB swaps quantity for quality
July 28, 2010Russia's second largest bank has grown its assets more than 30 times over the past 10 years, but its new chief financial officer explains that a more measured business strategy has altered the bank's wholesale funding priorities. Writer Philip Alexander
Deutsche Bank's corporate finance business comes of age
July 28, 2010Deutsche Bank's co-head of global client coverage and chairman of the corporate finance executive committee explains how the bank's performance during the crisis has opened new doors for it both in Europe and the crucial US market. Writer Geraldine Lambe
Estonia's lesson for Europe's powerhouses
July 28, 2010Estonia may be in debt, but it has the third-lowest budget deficit in Europe and, as the country's prime minister explains, its policies of prudence and restraint are putting it in a strong position for its entry to the eurozone. Interview by Courtney Fingar.
State of the union
July 6, 2010Dr Temitope Oshikoya, director-general of WAMI
West Africa's second monetary union project remains years behind its original schedule but recent progress towards convergence and the accession of a sixth member state have provided it with some much-needed momentum. Writer Daniel Maalo