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. 

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

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

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.

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.

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

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. 

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

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

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