Jan Cienski in Prague reports on Erste Bank’s hugely successful expansion into the countries that once formed the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Despite its small size, Montenegro is attracting investors with its stable business and banking environment, and looks firmly set on the path to EU membership. Justin Keay reports.

Ben Aris reports from Moscow on the new trend of carmakers setting up shop with banking licences in Russia to take advantage of the accelerating growth in the auto loans market.

Roustam Tariko, owner and founder of Russian Standard Bank (and Vodka), tells Karina Robinson of plans to tailor his banking model to current realities.

South-east Europe (SEE) is one of Europe’s fastest-growing and most profitable banking regions and looks set for continued strong growth.

Société Générale has added to its Balkan synergies with the purchase of Macedonia’s Ohridska Banka – but local banks are efficient and profits are by no means a certainty. Eric Jansson reports.

Under the oversight of the central bank, Armenia has boomed and now foreign banks are circling for a piece of the action. Ben Aris reports.

Reg Rage often criticises regulation, but where Russia’s concerned, more is needed – and quickly. The country’s banking sector is undergoing regulatory reform, but too slowly, writes Michael Imeson.

While some eastern European mega companies are improving corporate governance and listing abroad, others are moving back closer to the state. Ben Aris explains.

Our listing reveals that retail continues to drive banking sector growth, while low household credit levels remain enticing to western European institutions.