Cross-border expansion, privatisation and consolidation are likely to change the face of the German Landesbanken scene. Jan F Wagner, in Frankfurt, talks to three Landesbank chiefs about plans for the future.

Jefferies has managed to grow and maintain an entrepreneurial partnership culture. It now needs to seriously beef up its brand. Will it be able to get to the next level without sacrificing its character, asks Geraldine Lambe .

Karina Robinson talks to Alchemy chief Jon Moulton about the end of the buy-out boom and why the firm chooses not to list.

Poland’s largest bank, the state-owned PKO, is operating without a head while the ruling party searches for a ‘suitable’ CEO. Jan Cienski reports from Warsaw.

Karina Robinson talks to Iran’s central bank governor Ebrahim Sheibany, about inflation, privatisation and the UN’s freezing of Iranian assets.

Given the economy’s good health, Brazil’s central bank governor Henrique Meirelles can afford to muse on soya and George Bush. Interview by Karina Robinson.

In an oversaturated commodities market, Renaissance Capital is branching out into Africa. Ben Aris reports.

Nicholas Nanopoulos, chief executive of Eurobank EFG, talks to Stephen Timewell about his bank’s strategy and expansion in ‘New Europe’.

Portugal’s prime minister, José Sócrates, talks to Brian Caplen and Peter Wise about his priorities for the EU presidency and his determination to ‘build Portugal into a modern country’ fully equipped to compete in the global economy.

BA chief Willie Walsh defends his staff and believes the airline’s investment plans will win over disgruntled customers. He talks to Karina Robinson.