After a bear market and fund scandals, The Bucharest Stock Exchange’s market capitalisation is in the ascendancy. But more privatisation is necessary if the gains are to be consolidated.

Despite significant structural change over the past five years, Romania faces daunting macroeconomic challenges as it gears up for EU membership. 

Before Ukraine has settled into its new government, the big banks of Europe have already decided that they want a presence in the country. James Hydzik reports on the growing acquisitions activity.

Raiffeisen International chairman and CEO Herbert Stepic talks to Karina Robinson about how to achieve an 83% increase in profits.

While Croatia’s banking sector is on a sound footing, with foreign investors now accounting for more than 90% of its total assets, the central bank’s restrictive measures to curb credit growth are frustrating lenders. By Nick Spiro.

Croatia’s fledgling capital markets are benefiting from a surge in interest from domestic and foreign investment funds and a fast-growing corporate bond market as negotiations for EU membership get under way. Nick Spiro reports.

Lithuania’s banking sector has come from nowhere a decade ago to become a highly competitive business.James Hydzik reports.

Until there is clarity over home country rule, Slovenian privatisation will be held up. Brian Caplen reports.

Slovenia’s finance minister Andrej Bajuk won The Banker’s award as best finance minister in Europe 2006. Here he explains to Brian Caplen how the Slovenian economy works.

Investors cannot wait for the expected wave of IPOs among Russia’s top-end banks in 2007. Ben Aris profiles four dynamic players flirting with flotation.