Latest articles from Western Europe

Malta stands tall in finance

March 31, 2010

Since joining the EU six years ago, the Maltese banking sector has flourished and the country has developed a firm yet flexible regulatory regime, supported by the European regulatory environment. In this Masterclass, Professor Joseph Bannister, president of the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), discusses the recent restructuring of the authority and how it aims to further strengthen Malta's status as an international financial centre. Writer Michael Imeson

An international flavour

March 31, 2010

Malta's insurance sector is highly oriented towards international insurers, with insurance management companies based in the country heavily involved in helping to run them on behalf of their parent organisations.

Sovereign woes cast long shadows for banks

March 3, 2010

The leading Greek banks had retained relatively conservative business models at home prior to the financial crisis, but market fears about government debt make the downturn even harder to manage. Writer Philip Alexander

Alessandro Profumo

March 3, 2010

UniCredit, the Italian bank with a significant presence in Europe, is back on track following a €4bn rights issue to fund loan demand in eastern Europe. Its chief executive explains how the company's diversified business model is now giving it an advantage over its competitors. Writer Brian Caplen

Rebuilding UBS: Can UBS revive its business and reputation?

March 3, 2010

UBS has endured a catastrophic three years. Now, under the stewardship of former Credit Suisse chief Oswald Grübel, the bank is attempting to restore its reputation and revive its business. Geraldine Lambe reports.

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What really happened at Hypo Group Alpe Adria

February 1, 2010

The nationalisation of Austria's Hypo Alpe Adria had more to do with regulation and ownership models than exposure to emerging Europe. Writer Philip Alexander

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The quest for new customers

February 1, 2010

Leading Turkish bank Garanti is the first to offer, send and receive functions of the Western Union Money Transfersm service through its own website, as Ali Fuat Erbil, assistant general manager of Garanti Bank, explains.

Lloyds

Lloyds recapitalisation was both trailblazing and rehabilitating

February 1, 2010

The £22.5bn recapitalisation of Lloyds Banking Group last November not only kept the institution free from outright government control, but helped to rehabilitate the financial markets. Writer Edward Russell-Walling

The differing strategies of Germany's private banks

December 30, 2009

Deutsche Bank's planned takeover of Sal Oppenheim will leave the German private banking sector dominated by two key players. However, Deutsche and Commerzbank are pursuing very different strategies. Writer Michael Marray

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Irish government hopes its bad bank will work

December 30, 2009

The Irish government has opted for a 'bad bank' to save the nation's finances by buying up bad loans. With some experts unconvinced this was the best solution, only time will tell if the gamble pays off. Writer Philippa Maister

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