Latest articles from Central & eastern Europe

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Consolidation and stabilisation: Serbian finance minister's hopes for reforms

September 1, 2015

Serbia's economic struggles have been well documented over the past few years, with its fiscal deficit particularly worrying. The country's finance minister, Dušan Vujović, tells Stefanie Linhardt how the government's reforms are already advancing down a route he hopes will lead to full EU accession.

Crisis in Greece: the credit impact on south-eastern Europe

July 13, 2015
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The turmoil in Greece is having an impact on financial markets throughout the eurozone, but this impact may be felt greater in its five neighbours where Greek banks have a particularly large presence: Albania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania and Serbia.

Natalie Jaresko

Natalie Jaresko: steering Ukraine back to economic health

July 1, 2015

Reform-minded Natalie Jaresko has had a tough baptism in her role as Ukraine's finance minister. However, she is determined to demonstrate the safety of the country's banking sector and show that Ukraine is still an attractive investment destination, as she tells Stefanie Linhardt.

Giorgi Kadagidze

Giorgi Kadagidze: stabilising Georgia's currency climate

July 1, 2015

In an economy that is highly dollarised and in which the local currency has gone through a bout of devaluation, Georgia's central bank governor, Giorgi Kadagidze, has his work cut out. However, in taking a long-term approach, rather than looking for any quick fixes, he is confident that the country can achieve its currency goals.

Armenian banks braced for difficult year

Armenian banks braced for difficult year

July 1, 2015

Stringent capital requirements set by the Central Bank of Armenia will test many of the country's banks, which are already struggling in a slowing economy. But for those that already meet the new standards, the opportunities arising from possible consolidation could provide a much-needed avenue to growth.

Top 1000 World Banks – Rouble devaluation causes CEE ranking shake-up

June 29, 2015

Russian banks still account for the top three positions in the central and eastern European ranking, but their positions have been weakened after a tough year for the country's economy.

CEE a growing market for private equity

Central and eastern Europe: a growing market for private equity

June 1, 2015

Private equity investment in central and eastern Europe could be set to increase as investors look to capture the region’s potential as its economies return to growth. 

CEE caught between eurozone bulls and Russian bears

May 26, 2015

Countries in central and eastern Europe are being split in terms of their economic outlook, with Russia in deep recession but other countries benefiting from the low oil price. 

Austrian banks’ profits in CEE hit all-time low

May 22, 2015
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For years, Austrian lenders Erste Bank and Raiffeisen Bank have enjoyed strong profits at their central and eastern European operations, but with growth in these economies slowing, more recent results suggest that they may need to rethink their strategies in the region.  

Russian banks: exposure to dollar loans

May 14, 2015
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While the rapid devaluation of the rouble may have slowed, top Russian banks are still exposed to US dollar-denominated loans.

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