Russia’s investment rating upgrade is good news for the bond market as Vladimir Putin faces the first real opposition to his government since his election to the presidency five years ago. Ben Aris reports.

While Russia’s central bank had to rebuff talk of a crisis this year, a surge in retail and investment banking went unnoticed. Meanwhile, the crisis that never happened also spurred reforms, writes Ben Aris.

Moscow-based Globexbank is one of Russia’s top 10 banks, and the crises of the 1990s and the recent mini-crisis have made it stronger. Ben Aris reports.

Ben Aris reports from Moscow on how the banking crisis and policy changes have all but stalled the domestic bond market.

Ben Aris reports from Moscow on the project finance legal reforms put forward by President Putin that look positive on paper, but in reality are fraught with difficulties.

Ben Aris meets Alexander Levkovsky, Promsvyazbank’s president and chairman of the board, and asks how Promsvyazbank has stormed ahead of its rivals.

Ben Aris in Moscow reports on the frustrating situation whereby Russian industry is experiencing a boom but is finding it more than difficult to secure finance from the banks to facilitate the expansion.

The Russian economy may appear messy but Ben Aris asks whether the future really as bleak as it seems.

Ben Aris reports from Kiev on the benefits that the new eastern bloc CES alliance is expected to bring and on the country’s growing relationship with the EU.
The leaders of the four biggest countries in eastern Europe gathered in the Crimean resort of Yalta in May to create their answer to the EU: the Common Economic Space (CES). The new free trade zone is designed to feed flourishing economic growth in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus.

Ben Aris reports from Kiev on the shape of the banking sector and banks’ strategies to build up universal business now that the economy is faring well.