The way people bank is changing, with technological advances and changes in legislation pushing the current account into the spotlight. Jane Cooper sets the scene.

With limited space and exorbitant rental costs, retail banks in Hong Kong have been rethinking the role of the branch. But rather than moving away from bricks to clicks, Hong Kong’s banks are investing in and revamping their branches. 

An economic boom coupled with new technologies is allowing Peruvian banks to tap consumer bases that have long been overlooked in the country. But, as the banking market advances at a breakneck speed, there are vulnerabilities to look out for – not least dollarisation.

The management quality of Ukrainian banks is gradually improving, but they continue to face difficulties from legal and political uncertainty, with some foreign-owned banks already giving up the struggle.

Growth rates and returns on consumer lending in Russia are remarkable, but the market demands increasing levels of sophistication to ensure success.

The remittances market is too big to ignore, but with more providers entering the market and with banks struggling to respond to new regulations, how can banks stay relevant?

As the political stand-off in Georgia between the new prime minister and president shows no sign of abating, the country’s economy is showing resilience and its banks are eyeing opportunities to strengthen growth by tapping into the country's unbanked population.

Portugal's banks have solved capital shortfalls and improved their funding positions, but finding sustainable sources of loan and revenue growth is proving more difficult.

Renewed access to capital markets for both the sovereign and the two largest banks has prompted hopes that Ireland will be able to exit multilateral support programmes successfully by the end of 2013.