Restructured and recapitalised, the Cypriot banking sector has emerged from its recent crisis more resilient and far more stable, according to the country's central bank governor, Chrystalla Georghadji.

Hungary has enjoyed stronger economic growth than many of its European neighbours in recent years, but the country's minister of economy Mihály Varga is wary of taking this success for granted, insisting that the country's long-term outlook hinges on a number of external factors, from the recovery of the eurozone to a resolution of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Government intervention – both to tackle the country's problematic foreign exchange loans and stimulate new lending – has revived the Hungarian banking market. Now, the race is on for banks to return to profitability. 

Daniel Wong, the head of Macquarie Capital Europe (excluding Germany, Austria and Switzerland), has a long history of working on the investment bank's infrastructure projects, but in his new role he is keen to explore other opportunities for the lender, with a particular focus upon the ECM and energy markets.

As the need to resolve the eurozone crisis intensifies, member states seem to be moving further apart on key issues, including the architecture of the union and the terms of Greece's bail-out package. But while political rifts open up, many economists agree that the only way forward is by working towards greater economic integration. 

Mark Lewellen has been busy making sure Barclays’ debt capital markets team for Europe, the Middle East and Africa retains its focus, despite reorganisation to bring investment-grade and emerging market financing and risk management under one umbrella. 

Lithuania became the 19th country to adopt the euro as its currency in January, joining Baltic neighbours Latvia and Estonia. But what benefits can the country expect to see from this move?

Russia's banks endured a tough 2013, as shown by the results in The Banker's Top 100 ranking, with the picture only likely to get bleaker when the impact of a turbulent 2014 is known.

Iceland’s finance minister, Bjarni Benediktsson, talks about economic recovery, plans to stabilise the banking sector and why the country will not be joining the EU any time soon.  

Since Didier Valet took the helm at Société Générale’s investment banking operations much has changed. But Mr Valet is not one to rest on his laurels, with SocGen’s acquisition of Newedge presenting some particularly enticing opportunities.