The deputy prime minister of Ukraine, Sergei Tigipko, explains what measures his government is taking, with the help of the International Monetary Fund, to get the country's finances back on an even keel.

Estonia 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.

Russia'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

Azerbaijan's finance minister tells The Banker about the country's strategy to diversify its economy away from a dependence on oil exports and addresses international questions about the government's fiscal transparency. Writer Michelle Price

As Russian capital markets activity revives, second-tier investment banking groups have ambitious plans to share a larger slice of the business. But competition is tough. Writer Philip Alexander

Croatia entered the financial crisis with its banking sector in good shape, but rising unemployment and fiscal pressures are dampening new lending activity. Writer Nick Saywell