National Bank of Greece’s purchase of Turkey’s Finansbank, and other cross-border deals, counter continent’s protectionism adherents.

As Romania’s banks cash in on the surge in consumer borrowing, the central bank, concerned about a rising current account deficit, is placing stringent curbs on foreign currency lending. The measures are proving highly controversial.

After a bear market and fund scandals, The Bucharest Stock Exchange’s market capitalisation is in the ascendancy. But more privatisation is necessary if the gains are to be consolidated.

Despite significant structural change over the past five years, Romania faces daunting macroeconomic challenges as it gears up for EU membership. 

Nigeria suffers from severely underdeveloped capital markets, which must grow and deepen if its financial market as a whole is to become more efficient and banks are to thrive.

After decades of chronic difficulties in the power sector, the government now has a blueprint for improvements, but it is already mired in controversy.

The recently ratified DR-CAFTA will change the face of trade for the Dominican Republic. Although the local business jury is still out, trade transparency and opportunities look set to improve dramatically.

Microfinance lenders such as Banco Adopem, which specialises in offering financial services to women, are enjoying a post-crisis boom, forcing mainstream banks to sit up and take notice.

Appetite for Dominican Republic paper is growing on the back of the debt restructuring that pulled it out of financial crisis and the successful corporate debt issue from power company AES Dominicana. Tom Blass reports.

A huge amount of hard currency flows in from abroad in the shape of remittances, yet banks have steered clear of it, missing out on a golden opportunity.