Portugal - The Banker

Charting a recovery: Portuguese finance minister Fernando Teixeira dos Santos gives a graphic illustration of the intended impact of the government's stability and growth programme

The trials and tribulations of the Greek economy have caused a few nervous glances to be cast in the direction of Portugal, with some observers worried that the country could face a similar debt crisis. However, the Portuguese government's late budget and four-year austerity programme have gone a long way to allaying such fears. Writer Peter Wise

• Read more

Jorge Freire Cardoso, executive board member, Caixa-Banco de Investimento

A €6bn privatisation initiative ushered in by the Portuguese government as part of a package of spending cuts could prove fertile for the country's investment banks and breathe new life into its capital markets. Writer Peter Wise

• Read more

The Portuguese government's tax amnesty on repatriated funds is expected to channel an influx of euros into the country's private banking sector. Yet banks must meet the post-crisis needs of investors with new portfolios favouring simpler structured products with a capital guarantee. Writer Peter Wise

• Read more

Big plans: Oriente Station in Lisbon is one of the world's largest stations, with 75 million passengers per year. Portugal's new government is implementing a huge infrastructure programme, including high-speed rail links

Portugal's traditionally cautious approach to banking with a strong leaning towards public investment is being recognised by other countries as an effective, if temporary, approach during the current downturn. Writer Peter Wise

• Read more

Although not caught at the epicentre of the financial hurricane, the Portuguese economy's hopes of an upturn after four years of slow growth have been hit by the global recession. However, the country's trade links with Africa and Latin America and its lack of subprime exposure are giving some cause for optimism. Writer Peter Wise

• Read more

In the wake of the global financial crisis, Portugal's leading banks are focusing on improving relations with both corporate clients and individuals, as well as expanding overseas, as a means to boost their ailing profit margins. Writer Peter Wise

• Read more

Miguel Athayde Marques, Euronext Lisbon

Global jitters and the escalating cost of financing have forced Portuguese banks to drastically alter their credit model. Writer Peter Wise.

• Read more

Portugal’s businesses have had to adjust to the financial climate change as the credit crunch makes itself felt, leaving simple funding a thing of the past. Writer Peter Wise.

• Read more

Just as the dust was settling on the chaotic attempted takeover of Banco BPI by Millennium BCP, the global credit crunch came along. Peter Wise reports on a tumultuous 18 months for Portugal’s banking sector.

• Read more

Ricardo Espírito Santo Salgado, Banco Espírito Santo’s (BES)

Peter Wise and Brian Caplen talk to chief executive Ricardo Espírito Santo Salgado about Banco Espírito Santo’s plans to expand further its well-established banking network in Portuguese-speaking countries.

• Read more