Latest articles from Central & eastern Europe

Eastern Europe gives Asia a run for its money

February 16, 2011

Erste Group CEO Andreas Treichl is comfortable that his Austrian bank represents a call option on prospects in central and eastern Europe.

Moscow millionaires

Russia’s rich bring it all back home

February 14, 2011

Russian wealth management clients are moving assets back onshore, as the country provides its richest citizens with tempting investment opportunities in their native land.

HSBC's EFSF and EFSM team

European stability issues grab market's attention

February 14, 2011

With all eyes on the eurozone sovereign debt crisis, the success of two consecutive offerings would be critical in underpinning the European response. The market's reaction to the issues from the European Financial Stability Mechanism and European Financial Stability Facility was conclusive.

Sberbank enjoys a comfortable position as leader of the Russian bank market

Top 75 Russian banks: State banks still dominate

January 31, 2011

The state giants still dominate the banking landscape in Russia, with private-sector institutions having much smaller market shares. The system remains largely Russian-owned, but a number of foreign-owned banks have gained a foothold and are earning a decent profit.

Local markets await catalyst

January 31, 2011

Efforts are under way to allow corporate issuers in Poland to benefit from deep local bond markets.

Bank Zachodni

Fierce competition and weak foreign owners mean change for Poland's banks

January 31, 2011

Polish banks navigated the financial crisis in relatively good health. But fierce competition and weak foreign owners both suggest further consolidation in a market that is still fragmented.

Still on track? The EU flag is carried from Germany to Poland. How long it will take the euro currency to follow suit is up for debate

Poland seeks answers to the euro question

December 23, 2010

Polish policy-makers appear to be pushing the prospects for euro adoption further into the future. But this still leaves the country's banks with a dilemma about how to respond to client demand for retail loans in foreign currencies. Writer Philip Alexander

Xhentil Demiraj, debt director, Albanian Ministry of Finance

Albania times Eurobond debut to perfection

December 23, 2010

Despite its close proximity to crisis-hit Greece, Albania made its first foray into the Eurobond market last year. After agonising over when to issue the deal in such a volatile market, it would seem that the timing of the launch was just right. Writer Joanne Hart

In a last-ditch attempt

Russia's pocket banks face tougher future

December 8, 2010

The collapse of International Industrial Bank, one of Russia's largest privately owned banks, could signal a tougher climate for Russian institutions that focus on related-party lending. Writer Philip Alexander

Petr Pavelek

Czechs fall back into favour

December 8, 2010

The launch of a €2bn, 10-year bond in late summer has stirred international interest in the Czech Republic. Writer Joanne Hart

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