Only Spain's largest banks have been able to absorb the losses from the country's troubled real estate sector, which has left the main lenders in a strong position to increase their market share.
Embattled Afghan lenders prove resilient
June 1, 2012The loans scandal at Kabul Bank, which led to its collapse in 2010, hit not only Afghanistan's already fragile financial sector but also the country's political stability. But as those held responsible for the fraud have been brought to justice and more stringent legislation is put in place, the confidence of international backers is beginning to return.
World
/ Western Europe
/ Spain
Who is going to save Spain's savings banks?
June 1, 2012A sharp increase in provisioning requirements is likely to drive consolidation in the Spanish banking sector. But the country's largest banks – many of which have remained profitable thanks to their operations in other regions – are cautious about what may lurk on the balance sheets of the troubled savings banks.
World
/ Western Europe
/ Spain
Spain's big players cushioned, cajas struggle
June 30, 2011Spain's biggest banks are shrugging off the full impact of the weak domestic economy and the collapse in the country's property market, but the country's cajas are not faring so well.
World
/ Western Europe
/ Spain
Cajas shrug off stress test failure
August 30, 2010Despite five of Spain's savings banks featuring among the seven institutions to fail the EU stress tests, the surprising results can be seen as a positive turning point in the cajas' 200-year history, with reform, consolidation and new access to foreign capital likely to strengthen their vaults. Writer Jules Stewart
World
/ Western Europe
/ Spain
Bad times increase merger activity among Spain's cajas
September 2, 2009The collapse in Spanish property prices and the rise in loan defaults and toxic assets has left the cajas - the 45 mutuals responsible for more than half of the country's mortgage lending - staring consolidation in the face in a bid for survival. Writer Jules Stewart
Mohammed Al-Hussein
April 7, 2009Syria's financial services sector reforms of 2004 have had a beneficial effect on the economy, as the country's finance minister explains. Writer Jules Stewart
World
/ Middle East
/ Syria
Off to a flying start
April 7, 2009The foreign banks that have entered Syria's newly liberalised banking market are enjoying early success. Writer Jules Stewart
Riad Salameh
March 10, 2009The governor of Lebanon’s Central Bank explains how strict regulation has ensured domestic banks have plenty of reserves to fall back on during the crisis.
Spanish banks hold firm
February 2, 2009Banco Santander’s capital raising last November was unexpected but investors responded surprisingly well. While Spanish banks have largely managed to avoid the fallout of the subprime crisis, the government is taking measures to ensure that any further global setbacks only have a minimal impact upon the country. Writer Jules Stewart.