After a tough few years, the banking sector in Portugal is back on track, paying dividends on profits, and gathering steam for future growth. 

Portugal’s economy has successfully turned a corner, surpassing its potential growth rate. However, economic imbalances persist. 

Portugal’s economy has recovered and the banking system is stronger, the country’s economy minister Pedro Siza Vieira tells Brian Caplen. 

SMEs have largely been neglected by banks, but this is beginning to change in the UK as digital challengers step in to give the sector the attention it warrants. 

Italy’s finance minister talks to The Banker about his government’s disagreements with Europe and advancing Italian involvement in China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Petra Hielkema, director of payments and market infrastructures at the Dutch central bank, talks to Joy Macknight about experimenting with blockchain, supporting fintechs and raising consumer awareness around the Payment Services Directive 2.

Turkey's economy has fallen into recession, inflation rates are high and concerns are being raised about the president's approach. The Banker assesses the options the country has.

With Turkey's economy in a downturn, the interventionist Erdogan government is keen for state and private banks to provide cheaper credit. 

UniCredit's restructuring programme has paid off, enabling the Italian bank to return to the market with a handful of regulatory capital deals.

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