Italy’s leading light in eastern Europe, UniCredit has ambitious plans after buying into one of the region’s most dynamic markets with its purchase of Ukraine’s Ukrsotsbank, writes Philip Alexander.

Eastern Europe’s growth spurt looks unsustainable in the light of spiralling inflation – a glum thought for the Kiev gathering.

Czech banks’ strategy is protecting them from direct effects of the US subprime crisis, although they could be affected indirectly. Jan Cienski reports from Prague.

CEO of Halyk Bank and former governor of Kazakhstan’s central bank, Grigori Marchenko tells Karina Robinson why the Federal Reserve got it wrong.

Poland’s thriving stock exchange is attracting eastern European companies seeking lower costs. Ben Aris reports.

Formed in 1992, Parex has seen off various crises to become Latvia’s second largest bank by selling itself as a channel into western Europe for Russian investors. Robert Anderson reports.

Jan Cienski reports from Warsaw on the complex, drawn-out merger of Pekao SA and BPH – an alliance that has created the largest bank in Poland.

The volume of public listing in Russia shows no signs of abating and commercial banks are likely to join the state banks in keeping the momentum going in 2008. Ben Aris reports.

In just 18 months, Russian bank KIT Finance has become a major player, and it plans to get a lot bigger. By Ben Aris.

Denis Gorbunenko has turned a banking minnow into a rising giant – and he’s not finished yet. Ben Aris reports.