Karina Robinson questions Danske Bank CEO Peter Staarup on the Danish institution’s Irish forays.

Panama’s dominance of the Top 100 has grown and the country is proving attractive for group headquarters.

Following capital market reform, Israel’s banks are being forced to look overseas for expansion opportunities, says David Lipkin.

Argentine companies are yet to enjoy the benefits of the country’s economic upturn as banks are wary of lending. This may change with the launch of an SME stock market, while bigger enterprises are turning to foreign debt. By Jason Mitchell in Buenos Aires.

As relaxed regulations and a healthy economy fuel interest in Vietnam, private banks are signing foreign partnerships while public banks prepare to sell off shares, writes Nick Freeman in Ho Chi Minh City.

A lending boom, high growth levels and the requirements of Basel II are driving the search for extra capital among India’s banks. As Kala Rao reports, restrictions on public sector banks may give rise to new instruments.

New central bank head Shamshad Akhtar takes over the reins as the financial sector enjoys a period of growth and a successful privatisation process. However, she is far from complacent, as Farhan Bokhari reports from Karachi.

As opposition to the merger of Poland’s Pekao and BPH mounts, the banks’ contrasting approaches to foreign currency lending are highlighting concerns over the surge in Swiss franc-denominated mortgages. Nick Spiro reports.

The completion of the merger between Rosbank and 1stOVK bank has made Rosbank one of Russia’s top three privately owned retail banks. Rosbank chairman Alexander Popov talked to The Banker about his plans.

After setting up his own sales finance company in the Czech Republic and then travelling the world for eight years working for GE Capital, Petr Smida took up his post as Alfa Bank’s CEO two years ago. Here he gives his first extensive interview to The Banker.