Over the past decade, Greece's leading banks have expanded into south-east Europe. To remain competitive, however, they will now need to weather the financial storm and continue to focus on increasing their presence in the Balkans and the rest of eastern Europe. Writer Kerin Hope
World
Latest articles from World
Greece gears up for tough times
May 5, 2009Greece's service-based economy has been less exposed to the global downturn than elsewhere in Europe, but a positive outlook for 2009 will largely depend on how the tourist industry performs and whether lines of credit will remain available to smaller businesses. Writer Kerin Hope
Outside influence
May 5, 2009The state-owned Banque et Caisse d'Epargne de l'Etat may be performing well, but Luxembourg operations of Fortis and Dexia have encountered problems as the knock-on effect of the recession in powerful neighbouring economies takes its toll on one of the world's smallest countries. Writer Nick Kochan
Bright vision in a gloomy climate
May 5, 2009Abu Dhabi's second Islamic bank was launched almost a year ago, just before the global financial crisis hit the Middle East. Despite this Al Hilal Bank continues to expand. Writer Mike Imeson
Can Islamic finance plug the funding gap?
May 5, 2009The global financial crisis has limited the finances available for major projects in the Middle East. But this could be an opportunity for Islamic financiers to come up with sharia-compliant finance to make up for the shortfall of Western funds. Writer James Gavin
Mohammed Al-Hussein
April 7, 2009Syria's financial services sector reforms of 2004 have had a beneficial effect on the economy, as the country's finance minister explains. Writer Jules Stewart
Off to a flying start
April 7, 2009The foreign banks that have entered Syria's newly liberalised banking market are enjoying early success. Writer Jules Stewart
Tighter times for Bahrain
April 7, 2009The global economic downturn is catching up with Bahrain's banks. However, the country still has some cause for optimism, particularly in its Islamic banking sector. Writer Michael Imeson
Can deep pockets protect the UAE?
April 7, 2009The United Arab Emirates began to feel the chill winds of global recession late last year. However, the Emirates' immense accumulated wealth, especially that of Abu Dhabi, is likely to protect the economy in general, and the financial system in particular, from the worst effects. Writer Michael Imeson
Keeping funds to regions flowing
April 7, 2009As Russia's less developed regional banks are hit hard by the liquidity crisis, the chairman of Bank Center-Invest outlines his response. Writer Philip Alexander