Peter Wise and Brian Caplen talk to chief executive Ricardo Espírito Santo Salgado about Banco Espírito Santo’s plans to expand further its well-established banking network in Portuguese-speaking countries.

BBVA is in an enviable position for 2008, having had no involvement with subprime assets. Jules Stewart talks to president and COO José Ignacio Goirigolzarri.

Spanish banks are tightening up their strategies in preparation for a global slowdown says Jules Stewart.

Spanish banks appear to have survived the credit crunch relatively unscathed. However, as Jules Stewart reports, the country’s current account deficit and reliance on foreign markets is causing concern among some commentators.

Banks are discovering that there will be a regulatory price to pay for the support of governments and central banks – and it could be a costly one. Karina Robinson investigates.

Kemal Unakitan preserved Turkey’s public finances in 2007, despite turbulence in domestic politics and international markets. He wants to maintain momentum in 2008, he tells Philip Alexander.

One strategy that Nigerian banks are following to boost return on capital is setting up shop in London. Nick Kochan explores the challenges they face.

The UK budget for 2008 announced measures to promote competitiveness with the increasingly attractive Islamic finance sector, paving the way towards sukuk issuance, writes Stephen Timewell.

Silvia Pavoni reports on the potential and pitfalls of private finance for the UK’s new nuclear power station building programme.

The UK’s largest energy utility, National Grid Gas, tentatively reopened the sterling corporate bond market earlier this year, in the face of unfavourable conditions. Edward Russell-Walling reports.