The Banker reviews Europe's best deals of the past year.

Estonia has the plan, resources and attitude to become the leading fintech hub in the Baltic region. But can it deliver on its dream?

Sberbank is striving to become the 'ecosystem of first choice' in Russia, and is branching out into numerous fields while embracing fintech start-ups. 

Bosnia-Herzegovina applied to join the EU in 2016 but slow progress threatens to thwart its hopes. 

It has been a good year for banks operating in EU member countries of central and eastern Europe, with balance sheets being strengthened across the board. 

Belarus’s economy is in good shape, but concerns linger over the high level of non-performing loans and the dominant role of the state in the banking sector. Michael Imeson reports.

Czech energy company Net4Gas's unusual exchange deal held a special appeal for local investors. 

Following crises, poor management and bailouts, is Russia's banking sector on the road to recovery?

Even after several revisions, the EU’s anti-money laundering directive does not definitively answer the question of whether a unified EU approach to AML is needed and politically achievable. Stefanie Linhardt reports.