Can greater efficiency gains be made by Spain’s cost-effective banks – and will their forays into Anglo-Saxon markets succeed? Karina Robinson reports from Madrid.

Turkey-based Calik Holding, keen to finance its overseas purchases in areas ranging from construction and telecoms to banking and energy, has burst on to the international stage with a $200m debt issue. Edward Russell-Walling reports.

If British banks are forced to cut the penalties they charge on current accounts, there is a danger that they will make up the shortfall elsewhere, writes Michael Imeson.

Covered bond issuance out of the US will not only widen the global market, but also deepen the investor base for the European issuers, writes Michael Marray.

Although covered bond issuance is booming in the UK, legislation to bring the country in line with the EU is in the pipeline. Michael Marray reports on the advantages this will bring for the market.

Although Belgium’s banks are secure in their comfortable home market, the big players are feeling the pinch and see salvation in the emerging markets of Europe and Asia, says Jules Stewart.

Are the Bank of Cyprus’s days numbered? Nick Kochan reports on the rival predators’ struggle for the bank, and the opposing forces of regulators and nationalists.

Turkey’s economy grew 5.7% in the first nine months of 2006. But economists warn that the bloated current account deficit, mounting foreign debts and rising political risks could stifle future growth, Metin Demirsar reports from Istanbul.

EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson is fighting for a breakthrough in the Doha Round of trade negotiations.

Critics of northern Italy’s rapidly consolidating co-operative bank networks decry the fact they can take over commercial rivals but not vice versa. David Lane explains.