Banks merge to combat crisis

As Russia undergoes its own financial crisis, the country’s authorities appear to be encouraging consolidation to remove the weaker players. But buyers will be taking a close look at their assets. Writer Ben Aris.

Triumph during adversity

UralSib is among the lucky few to benefit from the credit crunch. Virtually unreliant on international financing, the bank has stood strong and is now winning custom from rivals that are struggling. Its CEO Andrei Donskikh talks to Ben Aris.

Warsaw vies with AIM for foreign IPO business

Poland’s thriving stock exchange is attracting eastern European companies seeking lower costs. Ben Aris reports.

Public listing express gathers pace

The volume of public listing in Russia shows no signs of abating and commercial banks are likely to join the state banks in keeping the momentum going in 2008. Ben Aris reports.

The rise and rise of KIT

In just 18 months, Russian bank KIT Finance has become a major player, and it plans to get a lot bigger. By Ben Aris.

From David to Goliath

Denis Gorbunenko has turned a banking minnow into a rising giant – and he’s not finished yet. Ben Aris reports.

Cars drive moves into Russian loan sector

Ben Aris reports from Moscow on the new trend of carmakers setting up shop with banking licences in Russia to take advantage of the accelerating growth in the auto loans market.

The quiet success story

Under the oversight of the central bank, Armenia has boomed and now foreign banks are circling for a piece of the action. Ben Aris reports.

CZARs chew over coming clean

While some eastern European mega companies are improving corporate governance and listing abroad, others are moving back closer to the state. Ben Aris explains.

New strength attracts interest

Kazakhstan’s economic growth story is attracting foreign investors, especially in the booming banking sector. Ben Aris reports.

The next stop for investment in public private partnerships

Bankers are looking at the BRIC countries to expand their business and to boost public private partnership portfolios. Which are the most appealing locations? Silvia Pavoni, John Rumsey, Ben Aris and Kala Rao report on the state of PPP development in Brazil, Russia, China and India .

Russians move into Africa

In an oversaturated commodities market, Renaissance Capital is branching out into Africa. Ben Aris reports.

Careful groundwork reaps IPO success

The Bank of Georgia’s oversubscribed London IPO epitomised Georgia’s drive towards catching up with the rest of the world. Ben Aris reports from Tbilisi on how chairman Lado Gurgenidze turned the bank around.

Buoyed up over flotations

Ben Aris reports on Ukraine’s rapid economic growth that should fuel a flurry of IPO activity this year.

Hot pursuit of clients in Russia’s coldest outposts

Based in western Siberia, Sibacadembank has been expanding virtually unopposed, attracting international suitors and making plans to float. Chairman Igor Kim talks to Ben Aris.

The Champion bank that came from nowhere

A series of mergers have given UralSib a highly diversified profile and turned it into Russia’s largest privately owned commercial bank. Ben Aris reports from Moscow.

Russian derivatives go legit

Russia’s futures trading went mainstream in June after the Duma passed laws to make it a bona fide business. Ben Aris reports on how banks are gearing up to play in this as yet plain vanilla market.

Kremlin nurtures venture capital

Moscow hopes venture capital will boost investment and kick-start a high-tech industry that is sadly lacking funding. Ben Aris reports from Moscow.

Bond market awakens slowly

Despite political uncertainty, in the first half of 2006 corporate bond issuance in Ukraine was beginning to look very healthy. Ben Aris reports on the fledgling market.

Billionaires, their politics and their big business empires

Captains of industry or oligarchs? Many of Ukraine’s billionaires rub shoulders with politicians and some even taken up office themselves. Ben Aris reports on how the political tides are buffeting the country’s richest men and how they made their fortunes.