Western Europe

Looking beyond London

Collective thinking: Leeds' approach is to sell itself as a region, rather than just a single cityCollective thinking: Leeds' approach is to sell itself as a region, rather than just a single city

The UK's regional financial centres are undergoing a financial and cultural renaissance. They are shrugging off the effects of the downturn, establishing themselves as viable alternatives to London and growing in both confidence and maturity. Writer Charlie Corbett

Austria

What really happened at Hypo Group Alpe Adria

Small change: Hypo Group Alpe Adria was nationalised late last year for the sum of €3Small change: Hypo Group Alpe Adria was nationalised late last year for the sum of €3

The nationalisation of Austria's Hypo Alpe Adria had more to do with regulation and ownership models than exposure to emerging Europe. Writer Philip Alexander

Belgium

Jean-Paul Votron, Fortis CEO

A quiet revolution

The three-way acquisition of ABN AMRO by RBS, Santander and Fortis proved a remarkable collaborative effort, as Fortis CEO Jean-Paul Votron tells Geraldine Lambe.

Cyprus

In the bidding labyrinth

Are the Bank of Cyprus’s days numbered? Nick Kochan reports on the rival predators’ struggle for the bank, and the opposing forces of regulators and nationalists.

Denmark

Dong taps starved sterling investors

Carsten Thomsen, CFO at Dong EnergyCarsten Thomsen, CFO at Dong Energy

Dong Energy took an opportunistic approach with its first sterling issue and found a hungry market, starved of issuance in 2010. Writer Charlie Corbett

Finland

Markku Pohjola, Nordea

A state of immunity

Conservatism, strong deposit bases and past consolidation bode well for Finland’s banks in the global credit squeeze, writes Robert Anderson.

France

Christine Lagarde - Interview

The no-nonsense style of France’s finance minister has won her many admirers. She tells The Banker of how she intends to tackle the hardest task of her tenure, that of regulating France and Europe’s post-crisis banking landscape. Writer Silvia Pavoni

Germany

Landesbanken under pressure to restructure

Under review: there have been calls for Bayern LB (headquarters pictured) to be sold following its recent difficultiesUnder review: there have been calls for Bayern LB (headquarters pictured) to be sold following its recent difficulties

The German Landesbanken were hit hard by the financial crisis, and bailouts at both state and federal level have allowed the national government and the EU to increase the pressure for both restructuring and reform. Writer Michael Marray

Greece

Greece: Sovereign woes cast long shadows for banks

Bank of Greece, Athens: EU officials visited the Greek capital in January to assess the government's crisis strategy

The leading Greek banks had retained relatively conservative business models at home prior to the financial crisis, but market fears about government debt make the downturn even harder to manage. Writer Philip Alexander

Iceland

Jóhanna Sigurdardóttir

Jóhanna Sigurdardóttir, prime minister of IcelandJóhanna Sigurdardóttir, prime minister of Iceland

Nowhere was hit as hard by the credit crisis as Iceland, but as the country rebuilds its economy and banking sector, it is determined to learn from this harshest of lessons.

Ireland

Irish government hopes its bad bank will work

Getting the message: the formation of NAMA has led to protests in Ireland

Getting the message: the formation of NAMA has led to protests in Ireland

The Irish government has opted for a 'bad bank' to save the nation's finances by buying up bad loans. With some experts unconvinced this was the best solution, only time will tell if the gamble pays off. Writer Philippa Maister

Italy

Friends in need

Italy's philanthropic foundations remain significant shareholders in the country's banks, which has helped them ease their way through the economic crisis and maintain a long-term growth strategy. Writer David Lane

Luxembourg

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

Reinforcement required: Luxembourg's major banks have needed assistance in the face of the economic crisis
Reinforcement required: Luxembourg's major banks have needed assistance in the face of the economic crisis

Malta

Malta stands tall in finance

Since joining the EU six years ago, the Maltese banking sector has flourished and the country has developed a firm yet flexible regulatory regime, supported by the European regulatory environment. In this Masterclass, Professor Joseph Bannister, president of the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), discusses the recent restructuring of the authority and how it aims to further strengthen Malta's status as an international financial centre. Writer Michael Imeson

The Netherlands

Rabobank's 'Rhineland' approach pays off

Demonstrating the merits of the co-operative structure, The Netherlands' Rabobank has performed stronger in the crisis than many commercial banks enticed by high-profit yet high-exposure investment banking practices. Writer Brian Caplen

Norway

Thomas Neckmar, Nordea

Nordic banks braced for Baltic slowdown

As recessions loom in the Baltic states, Scandinavian banks have reason to be grateful for their reliable domestic earnings, reports Karina Robinson.

Turkey

The NPL threat to Turkey's progress

Excess baggage: a growing number of NPLs to SMEs in Turkey is threatening to thwart the expansion plans of the country's banksExcess baggage: a growing number of NPLs to SMEs in Turkey is threatening to thwart the expansion plans of the country's banks

As Turkey pulls out of its economic slump, its relatively unscathed banks are ready to finance growth and are increasing lending and planning significant expansion. However, a growing problem of non-performing loans may stifle recovery and put the brakes on their ambition. Writer Metin Demirsar

Portugal

Portugal's plan settles the nerves

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 programmeCharting 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

San Marino

Microstate with macro ambitions

David Lane reports on the tiny state of San Marino’s bid to take on the likes of Ireland and Luxembourg.

Spain

Post-crisis reality bites for Spain's Cajas

The cranes in Spain: a collapse in Spain's property market has created significant difficulties for the country's financial institutionsThe cranes in Spain: a collapse in Spain's property market has created significant difficulties for the country's financial institutions

Once considered one of the better-placed survivors of the financial crisis, the property bubble bursting in Spain has hit the country's savings banks hard, resulting in calls for consolidation in the sector. Writer Rodrigo Amaral

Sweden

Thomas Neckmar, Nordea

Nordic banks braced for Baltic slowdown

As recessions loom in the Baltic states, Scandinavian banks have reason to be grateful for their reliable domestic earnings, reports Karina Robinson.

Switzerland

Rebuilding UBS: Can UBS revive its business and reputation?

UBS has endured a catastrophic three years. Now, under the stewardship of former Credit Suisse chief Oswald Grübel, the bank is attempting to restore its reputation and revive its business. Geraldine Lambe reports.

United Kingdom

Looking beyond London

Collective thinking: Leeds' approach is to sell itself as a region, rather than just a single cityCollective thinking: Leeds' approach is to sell itself as a region, rather than just a single city

The UK's regional financial centres are undergoing a financial and cultural renaissance. They are shrugging off the effects of the downturn, establishing themselves as viable alternatives to London and growing in both confidence and maturity. Writer Charlie Corbett


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