Central & Eastern Europe - The Banker

CEE infrastructure generates international teamwork

With help from multilateral institutions, transport infrastructure finance deals in the new and aspiring EU members are still being completed, but on much more conservative terms. Writer Philip Alexander

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To the Balkans and Beyond

Over the past decade, Greece's leading banks have expanded into south-east Europe. To remain competitive, however, they will now need to weather the financial storm and continue to focus on increasing their presence in the Balkans and the rest of eastern Europe. Writer Kerin Hope

• Read More Albania

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.

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Samir Sharifov

Azerbaijan's finance minister tells The Banker about the country's strategy to diversify its economy away from a dependence on oil exports and addresses international questions about the government's fiscal transparency. Writer Michelle Price

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Slowdown hits CEE banks hard

Two themes dominate the changes in this year's rankings compared with 2008. First, the heavy sell-off in the currencies of many central and eastern European countries, including Russia, Hungary and Ukraine, has reduced Tier 1 capital in dollar terms. Second, liquidity crises and the revelation of high non-performing loan (NPL) ratios on portfolios that had not previously been tested in an economic downturn has brought a number of banks close to collapse, knocking them out of the Top 1000 altogether.

• Read More Belarus

Where traditional banking models suit tough times

The global slowdown has not spared Bosnia-Herzegovina, but the conservative strategies of many local banks have given them some support and protection. Writer Philip Alexander

• Read More Bosnia Herzegovina

Long-term finance in troubled times

The importance of small regional development banks in emerging Europe has surged as credit ratings decline and global commercial banks cut back project and trade finance. Writer Philip Alexander

• Read More Bulgaria

Trying to turn the taps back on

Croatia entered the financial crisis with its banking sector in good shape, but rising unemployment and fiscal pressures are dampening new lending activity. Writer Nick Saywell

• Read More Croatia

A Czech cure for the credit crunch

The Czech Republic will not be immune from the slowing global economy but Ceska sporitelna starts from a position of strong risk management and ample liquidity, says CEO Gernot Mittendorfer. Writer Philip Alexander

• Read More Czech Republic

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.

• Read More Georgia

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

• Read More Hungary

The Kazakh government is supporting Islamic finance, helped by Abu Dhabi

The Kazakhstan government is strongly promoting the development of Islamic finance in the country to diversify its financial sector, with strong support from Abu Dhabi. Writer Philip Alexander

• Read More Kazakhstan

Cautious optimism prevails in Europe's youngest nation

A diversified economy of micro-businesses has shielded Kosovo from the worst effects of the financial crisis, but its unresolved national status and uncertain legal environment continue to pose challenges. Writer Nick Saywell

• Read More Kosovo

Latvia: Searching for a new path to economic growth

Flooded with Scandinavian liquidity during the boom years, Latvia has suffered the most severe bust in the EU and bankers are devising a new business model while clearing up the consequences of the old one. Writer Philip Alexander

• Read More Latvia

Ten years old and looking good

Lithuania’s banking sector has come from nowhere a decade ago to become a highly competitive business.James Hydzik reports.

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Bridge building in the Balkans

Société Générale has added to its Balkan synergies with the purchase of Macedonia’s Ohridska Banka – but local banks are efficient and profits are by no means a certainty. Eric Jansson reports.

• Read More Macedonia

Tiny country bridges gap

Despite its small size, Montenegro is attracting investors with its stable business and banking environment, and looks firmly set on the path to EU membership. Justin Keay reports.

• Read More Montenegro

Finance minister Jacek Rostowski determined to reduce deficit

Poland has emerged as the most resilient economy in the EU during the global slowdown. However, The Banker's European Finance Minister of the Year is determined to stay ahead of the pack, and is now prioritising bringing down the country's budget deficit. Writer Philip Alexander

• Read More Poland

To the Balkans and Beyond

Over the past decade, Greece's leading banks have expanded into south-east Europe. To remain competitive, however, they will now need to weather the financial storm and continue to focus on increasing their presence in the Balkans and the rest of eastern Europe. Writer Kerin Hope

• Read More Romania

Russia's second-tier investment banks have ambitious plans

As Russian capital markets activity revives, second-tier investment banking groups have ambitious plans to share a larger slice of the business. But competition is tough. Writer Philip Alexander

• Read More Russia

Signs point to bright future

Three elections in two years and an inflation overshoot are compounding the uncertainty for Serbia’s banks, but foreign players still see great potential. Nick Saywell reports from Belgrade.

• Read More Serbia

Slovak banks reach for the euro

Slovakia’s qualification for eurozone entry is a rare success story in a tough year for the country. The qualification brings new opportunities for the banks, and also some logistical challenges. Writer Philip Alexander.

• Read More Slovakia

Slovenia looks before it leaps

Slovenia tracked the market's reaction to Greece's 10-year bond release in early March before moving quickly into action with its second bond issue of the year. Writer Edward Russell-Walling

• Read More Slovenia

Politics holds key to lending

There are no guarantees that a new president will usher in greater economic and political stability in Ukraine, which makes further consolidation likely in the country's under-pressure banking sector. Writer Philip Alexander

• Read More Ukraine

State meddling hinders Uzbek banking

Uzbekistan's banking sector is lagging behind the country's broader economic growth, stymied by the interfering hand of the state. Writer Michelle Price

• Read More Uzbekistan