Sweden’s minister for financial markets and consumer affairs, Per Bolund, explains to Stefanie Linhardt how the country maintains its stable economy, and why the European Banking Association would be better off located in Stockholm.

Sweden is enjoying impressive economic growth, reflected in rising house prices and an increase in household debt. Now, fears of a property bubble are fuelling calls for the government to speed up measures to cool the market. Stefanie Linhardt reports.

Sweden’s banks have survived the recent low interest rate environment and remain profitable. But a payroll tax on financial institutions and ongoing regulatory uncertainty threaten to take their toll. Stefanie Linhardt outlines the likely headwinds.

With credit ratings on negative outlook, Swedish car manufacturer Volvo chose a hybrid issue to smooth the road ahead.

Lars Millberg, head of transaction banking at SEB's merchant banking division, discusses the importance of innovation, and describes the bank's unique approach to encouraging out-of-the-box thinking among its employees.

It may not be part of the struggling eurozone but Sweden is suffering its very own Europe-related problems. Its finance minister, Anders Borg, tells The Banker why he does not want the UK to leave the EU, what difficulties could be posed by the formation of a banking union and where the responsibility for bailing out banks should lie.

Tighter bank financing, falling government subsidies and rising US shale gas production are all putting the squeeze on the renewable energy industry.