Post Bank is going against the grain with plans to hold a total of 18,000 branches across Russia within two years. The lender is using legacy outlets from its Leto Bank and Russian Post origins to increase its reach, with a low-cost model that mixes ATMs and mobile transactions. Stefanie Linhardt reports.

As the man at the top of Russia’s biggest bank, Sberbank president and chief executive Herman Gref, presides over an institution with ambitious long-term fintech plans. He talks to Stefanie Linhardt about the challenges to its overseas operations and dealing with the fallout from the rouble’s collapse.

As the Russian economy recovers, the new equilibrium brings fresh challenges to the financial sector. Stefanie Linhardt finds out how the management at many of the country's leading banks are adapting to this environment at the International Financial Congress in St Petersburg.

As Russia contemplates a restructuring of its creaking pensions system, investors expect a positive effect on the securities market with the introduction of private individual pension capital accounts. However, the market is still immature and many decisions on reform are still to be made. Stefanie Linhardt reports from the International Financial Congress (IFC) in St Petersburg. 

Lenders in the EU's Top 250 Banks ranking have seen an aggregate drop in profits and Tier 1 capital, though Austria's banking sector managed to reverse this trend. Stefanie Linhardt reports.

Pierre Gramegna, finance minister of Luxembourg, talks to Stefanie Linhardt about what effect international tax reforms will have on his country, and the importance of maintaining links with London even after the UK’s departure from the EU.

Jiri Smejc, chief executive of Czech lender Home Credit, tells Stefanie Linhardt why China represents a vital step outside its central European comfort zone.

Having established a Dublin headquarters, Citi's Europe, Middle East and Africa operations are well prepared for Brexit. And a strategic overhaul four years ago tightened up its risk management, leaving it leaner and safer, as the US bank's EMEA head, Jim Cowles, tells Stefanie Linhardt.

Since the BPA money-laundering scandal in 2015, Andorra’s small banking system has made efforts to ensure transparency and attract business from high-net-worth individuals abroad. Stefanie Linhardt reports.

After eight years of low growth sparked by the 2008 downturn and a money-laundering scandal, Andorra’s economy is finally showing signs of recovery. But while government investment to boost all-season tourism and greater bank transparency helps, more diversification is needed. Stefanie Linhardt reports.