Egypt’s banks were well insulated from the global financial crisis, but with continuing political instability since the overthrow of former president Hosni Mubarak, many are wondering just how long the country's banks can outpace its slowing economy. 

Turkey’s economy is enduring a perfect storm, as political instability, scandals over corruption and the end of quantitative easing in the US combine to create volatility in the market.

The macroeconomic climate is taking its toll on Turkey's banks, with many predicting a difficult year for the industry. Growth avenues still remain, however, in the commercial loans and small and medium-sized enterprise sectors, not to mention the huge potential of tapping the country's large unbanked population.

Amid global economic stagnation and domestic upheaval, the Egyptian banking sector has performed remarkably steadily. However, one of the key facets behind its success – its conservatism – is coming under increasing criticism from some, who claim its reluctance to lend beyond large corporations and government entities is holding the country back.

Personalised and location-based marketing tactics could be a catalyst for higher usage of mobile payments and could, in turn, unlock new business approaches. 

The eurozone's troubles of the past few years have meant that the headlines have been dominated by those countries deemed likely to leave the currency union. However, there are EU members that still wish to sign up to euro membership. The question is, why?

Romania's entrance into the EU was met not with the domestic economic development many had predicted, but with a global recession, which sent the country's economy into decline and severely narrowed its banking sector's avenues of growth. Now, the country must overcome a series of challenges if it is to achieve the economic maturity it had envisaged.

Mugur Isarescu, the governor of the National Bank of Romania, discusses Romania's tumultuous economic past, the health of its financial sector and pathways to future growth.

Analytics are the latest tool in banks’ armoury, helping them understand customer needs and boost efficiency. But just how does data analysis help banks gain advantage over their rivals?

The housing market in the US appears to have turned a corner since the conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2008. But until the government puts clear regulatory guidelines in place, uncertainty surrounding the precise nature of capital rules on mortgages will remain for market participants.