Between a floundering economy and volatile political situation, there is little room for optimism in Ukraine. But with new leaders hoping to tackle corruption and consolidate the fragmented banking sector, and with international funds earmarked to boost commercial lending, is the tide about to turn?
Central & eastern Europe
Latest articles from Ukraine
Crimea stuck in financial limbo
May 1, 2014The ongoing dispute over the sovereignty of the Ukrainian republic of Crimea, which is currently occupied by Russian forces, has wreaked havoc in its financial sector, with many banks pulling out of the region and depositors unable to access their funds.
Top Black Sea banks ranking, 2014: Asset quality risks rising
May 1, 2014Several of the members of the Organisation of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation are facing rising asset impairment, but the reasons vary.
Mapping Ukraine banking exposure
March 21, 2014
Some western European banks have pulled out of Ukraine in recent years, but Russian players are among the most exposed to the country’s troubles.
Spotlight switches back to the debt burden in Ukraine
January 2, 2014Even if the Ukrainian government rides out popular protests against its decision to turn away from the EU, the sovereign and state gas company debt repayments due in 2014 will challenge its financial position.
Bankers wait for reform in Ukraine
May 1, 2013The management quality of Ukrainian banks is gradually improving, but they continue to face difficulties from legal and political uncertainty, with some foreign-owned banks already giving up the struggle.
Bonds come in from the cold in eastern Europe
March 1, 2013Although foreign banks may be reining in finance for their subsidiaries in central and eastern Europe, any transition to local currency bond financing looks likely to be gradual.
Renaissance Capital investment bank head seeks emerging market niche
August 1, 2012After leading Morgan Stanley’s equities business outside the Americas, John Hyman is working to position Renaissance Capital as a focused player in a number of very different markets across emerging Europe and Africa.
Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus open economic borders
July 2, 2012Closer economic integration of countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States has been discussed for many years without practical progress. The launch of a Single Economic Space between Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus may be about to change that.
Issuers on the fringes of Europe's crisis
May 1, 2012Although 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.