Malta’s economy was the second fastest growing in the EU last year, its financial sector is healthy and diversified, and it is about to play a leading lead role in Brussels, writes Michael Imeson.

Things are looking up for banks in Cyprus, as the financial sector and economy recover. But a difficult journey still lies ahead with NPLs still high and calls for consolidation among the country's banks growing louder.

Cyberspace is a dangerous place for banks, with the risk of payments fraud, data theft, denial-of-service attacks and other crimes high. So what are banks and the regulators doing to improve cyber security in the sector?

While conflict and economic instability rage all around Turkey, the country is providing an oasis of calm, with an economy set to grow by 3% to 4% in 2015, and a young, educated population proving a draw for investors.

The Turkish banking sector is in good health, although the country's lower economic growth, political developments at home and abroad, and the continued impact of financial regulation on retail banking are acting as a brake on growth and profits.

Regulators are playing an important role in how banks guard against cyber risks, but their emphasis is very much on guidance and co-operation rather than rules and coercion.

Conduct risk – the risk of staff acting unprofessionally, unethically or illegally – has become a major concern for supervisors and banks, as Michael Imeson reports.

Conduct risk and reputational risk are receiving more attention from banks than ever before as they strive to gain better control over their activities.