Lithuania battles energy price shock

Gintarė Skaistė, The Banker’s Finance Minister of the Year 2022, talks to Kit Gillet about the current state of the Lithuanian economy and how the country has further cut its ties with Russia.

Lithuanian banks perform better than expected

With non-performing loan ratios remaining low and strong fundamentals, the Baltic country’s banks are well-prepared for a potentially challenging year ahead with rising inflation, energy concerns and geopolitical tensions. 

Lithuania forges an ambitious future

Access to NextGenerationEU funds and plans to create a pan-Baltic capital market will help the country overcome current challenging economic conditions.

A historic year ahead for Croatia, as it gets set to join eurozone

Next year is gearing up to be an important one for Croatia’s economy after EU finance ministers gave the approval for Croatia’s membership of the eurozone.

Croatia’s banks to play key role in transition to eurozone

With Croatia set to join the eurozone in January 2023, the country’s banks are likely to play a significant role in the transition to the single currency.

The rise and rise of Qatar’s Islamic banking sector

Kit Gillet talks to Bassel Gamal, group CEO of Qatar Islamic Bank, about the role Islamic banking plays in Qatar today, the potential impact of the 2022 World Cup, and what is holding back the global adoption of Islamic finance.

Gas windfall provides bonus in Qatar’s World Cup year

As Qatar prepares to host the World Cup later this year, the country’s economy is set to receive a major windfall from higher gas prices.

Rising gas receipts and World Cup influx set to lift Qatari lenders

The country’s banks are set for a bumper year, even as a heavy reliance on foreign funding raises concerns.

National Bank of Romania sees opportunities ahead

Mugur Isarescu, governor of the National Bank of Romania, speaks to Kit Gillet about the pandemic, key recent developments for Romania’s banking sector and the outlook for the period ahead.

Romania gears up for another challenging year

For eastern European economies like Romania, the unsettled times continue. The pandemic took hit economic growth and now the war in nearby Ukraine, coupled with high energy prices and rising inflation, could lead to renewed challenges. 

Romanian banks brace for uncertain 2022

Last year was the most profitable year on record for Romanian banks, but this year is set to be different.

Egypt's lenders shrug off the impact of Covid

The country’s strong economic growth has attracted increased interest from foreign lenders, with new digital finance regulations unleashing a fintech boom.

Egypt braces for economic impact of Ukraine war

Egypt has been one of the world’s best performing economies during the pandemic. Yet the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may prove costly to food prices and tourism.

Banque Misr CEO on opportunities for Egyptian banks

Mohamed Mahmoud El-Etreby was appointed chairman of Banque Misr in January 2015, bringing with him more than three decades of experience in the Egyptian banking sector. He spoke to Kit Gillet about key recent developments for Egypt’s banking sector and the outlook for the period ahead.

National Bank of Bahrain embraces digital as it looks to the future

The National Bank of Bahrain's chief executive Jean-Christophe Durand discusses key recent developments for the country and its banking sector.

Bahrain plans fresh economic restructuring as Covid impact dissipates

Higher oil prices and a successful vaccination programme have eased pressure on Bahrain's economy. However, as Kit Gillet reports, questions remain about whether the country can meet its deficit reduction targets. 

Bahrain's banks rebuild after Covid contraction

After being hit hard in the early days of the pandemic, Bahraini lenders are cautiously optimistic about growth prospects for 2022.

Austria's banking sector holds steady

Robert Holzmann, governor of Austria’s central bank, Oesterreichische Nationalbank, has helped to navigate the country through the global pandemic.

Austria on path to a greener economy

While the past 18 months have had a notable impact on the Austrian economy, the government has largely kept the country on track.