UK shadow chancellor’s door is open

John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor of the exchequer and member of the UK’s main opposition Labour Party, talks to Nick Kochan about his plans for the country’s banking sector, alongside tax and wage reforms. 

How will Romania achieve its eurozone goal?

Despite strong GDP growth and increased market confidence, Romania still has economic improvements to make before it is in any shape to join the euro. Nick Kochan reports.

Romanian CBG seeks better growth balance

Mugur Isarescu, governor of the National Bank of Romania, talks to Nick Kochan about boosting exports and bringing down levels of non-performing loans.

Kazakhstan banks target NPLs as part of recovery effort

As Kazakhstan continues its economic recovery efforts, its banks say the government and private sector need to work together to tackle the bad loans that are acting as a brake on growth. Nick Kochan reports.

Clydesdale Bank brings it all back home

An initial public offering by Clydesdale Bank in February will see the lender – currently owned by National Australia Bank – independently managed from its home market of Scotland. This will, say its senior staff, help it to focus on its positions of strength, such as SME funding and agriculture.

Andorra acts to save banking reputation

Accusations of money laundering levelled at Banca Privada d’Andorra by the US authorities threatened to destabilise the country's banking sector, so the government had to act quickly to contain the crisis. Now, Andorran authorities are keen to show that this was an isolated case and that the wider banking sector is both closely governed and performing successfully. 

Kazakhstan enters into the unknown

International sanctions against Russia and uncertainty over commodity prices have had an impact on Kazakhstan and its banking sector. However, the country's central bank governor tells Nick Kochan of his plans to smarten up the country's financial landscape, starting with targeting unacceptably high NPL levels.

New entrants drive Kazakhstan’s bid to consolidate

Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund is in the process of extricating itself from banks it rescued during the crisis, but poor asset quality is posing a serious challenge to the new owners. 

Guinea looks to meet challenges of modernisation

Guinea's austerity measures have not proven popular with the country's army and civil service, but have impressed the IMF and other international observers. Its president and finance minister explain the challenges they have met in rebuilding the newly democratic country, and how they intend to turn it into a resource-based African powerhouse.

EFG hopes to rise from Greek ashes

The sale of both its Greek subsidiary and its financial products division is intended to leave the family-owned EFG Group as a pure private banking operation.

BCEAO works to recapitalise region's banks

The governor of the Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest, Philippe-Henri Dacoury-Tabley, outlines his monetary policy to increase capital and maintain stable inflation levels. Writer Nick Kochan

Côte d'Ivoire's reforms make headway

Côte d'Ivoire's minister for economy and finance, Charles Koffi Diby, has effectively steered the country through the global credit crisis and, as he tells The Banker, his reform policies are beginning to bear fruit. Writer Nick Kochan

The elephant stirs

The optimism over Côte d'Ivoire's economic prospects is well placed. Despite continued political instability, inflation is being kept in check, the economy is growing and the restructuring of the country's debt has been widely praised. Writer Nick Kochan

Treasure seekers

Côte d'Ivoire's huge unbanked population makes the country an attractive target for both local and foreign banks. With the west African nation's banking sector on the verge of a consolidation process, those left standing will be well placed to tap into this enormous potential. Writer Nick Kochan

A thoroughly modern exchange

Although the Bourse Regionale des Valeurs Mobilieres may only boast a limited number of quoted companies at present, it is fully up to date with the latest technology and legislation, which is likely to attract growing interest going forward. Writer Nick Kochan

Putting on a brave face

A fall in the exchange rate has caused problems for borrowers in foreign currency. But moderate loan-to-value ratios and high levels of capital should see the banks through. Writer Nick Kochan

Outside influence

The state-owned Banque et Caisse d'Epargne de l'Etat may be performing well, but Luxembourg operations of Fortis and Dexia have encountered problems as the knock-on effect of the recession in powerful neighbouring economies takes its toll on one of the world's smallest countries. Writer Nick Kochan