In the past decade, foreign investment and natural resources wealth have transformed the banking landscape in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The Banker's latest ranking for the region shows which countries have benefited the most from this change.
Asia-Pacific
Latest articles from Kazakhstan
Samruk-Kazyna: from bailout to sale
December 8, 2010Sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna became the main vehicle for the Kazakh government to rescue a distressed banking sector and ailing economy. Its CEO, Kairat Kelimbetov, explains the fund's next steps. Writer Philip Alexander
Grigoriy Marchenko
August 30, 2010The lesson of the financial crisis for an emerging market such as Kazakhstan is that taking risks with financial stability for the sake of rapid short-term growth would be an inexcusable lack of foresight.
Dispute casts shadow over BTA Bank's restructuring
July 28, 2010The debt restructuring deal for Kazakhstan's BTA Bank was signed in May 2010, but a bitter dispute between the current and former owners of the bank continues to cast a shadow over its future. Writer Philip Alexander
The Kazakh government is supporting Islamic finance, helped by Abu Dhabi
May 28, 2010The Kazakhstan government is strongly promoting the development of Islamic finance in the country to diversify its financial sector, with strong support from Abu Dhabi. Writer Philip Alexander
Kazakh banks replace leverage with capital
May 5, 2010Kazakhstan's banks are divided between those that are cash-strapped and looking at restructuring, and cash-rich survivors trying to find new lending opportunities. Writer Philip Alexander
Survivors plan their escape from crisis
August 4, 2009In May, The Banker examined the fate of Kazakhstan's fallen giant, Bank BTA. The Kazakh banks that have stayed solvent now explain their recovery strategies. Writer Philip Alexander
Battered and bruised but ready to move forward
May 5, 2009BTA Bank has been at the centre of a financial storm involving a state bail-out, Kazakhstan's real estate crash and rotating central bank governors. However the tools to stabilise the situation now appear to be in place. Writer Philip Alexander
Kazakhstan Searches for pain relief
August 4, 2008When the credit crunch struck, Kazakhstan was first hit and worst hit among emerging markets. Philip Alexander looks for signs of recovery.