Although not directly affected by the squeeze facing eurozone peripheral sovereigns and banks, central and eastern Europe is affected by its economic ties with the EU and the prevalence of western European banks in its markets. Philip Alexander hears from a range of European issuers outside the eurozone, including sovereigns, agencies, banks and corporates, on how the crisis has affected them.

The Czech Republic will not be immune from the slowing global economy but Ceska sporitelna starts from a position of strong risk management and ample liquidity, says CEO Gernot Mittendorfer. Writer Philip Alexander

Leading European and US consumer finance players have expanded aggressively in central and eastern Europe, but they face a strong local competitor in the shape of PPF Group. Writer Philip Alexander .

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.

New foreign players from HSBC to Poland’s mBank will have to settle for niche roles in a profitable banking market with little room for new entrants, writes Jan Cienski in Prague.

After six years of bitter legal wrangling over who was to blame for the downfall of the once mighty IPB bank, Nomura Securities and the Czech government may be about to bury the hatchet. Robert Anderson recounts the acrimonious tale.

Ceska Sporitelna
Jack Stack, CEO