Central & Eastern Europe Archives

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Capital Raising & Corporate Finance

ANNUAL SURVEY: WORLD’S BEST BANKS 2014

In our 21st annual survey, Global Finance identifies the best banks in 150 countries and eight regions. The winners are not always the biggest banks, but rather, the best—those with the qualities that corporations should look for when choosing a bank.

Economics, Policy & Regulation

BALTICS BOUNCE BACK

Although hit hard by the global financial crisis, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia recovered quickly. The three countries are building ever-closer EU ties to separate themselves economically from Eastern neighbors.

Economics, Policy & Regulation

ESCALATING SANCTIONS COULD HIT GROWTH

An escalation of sanctions on Russia stemming from its actions in Ukraine could pressure Russia’s overall economic growth. Some companies, particularly those perceived to have close ties to president Vladimir Putin and his inner circle, may have difficulties tapping the international capital markets for funding.

Capital Raising & Corporate Finance

EUROZONE EYES QUANTITATIVE EASING

Inflation in the eurozone slipped to 0.5% at an annual rate in March, its lowest level since 2009. The persistence of low inflation prompted policymakers to discuss quantitative easing (QE) and a negative deposit rate, putting some downward pressure on the euro.

Emerging & Frontier Markets

NEW SLOVAKIAN PRESIDENT BOASTS NO EXPERIENCE, NO PARTY AFFILIATION

Slovakia has known rapid and unexpected changes in its political fortune in its 20 years as an independent country.

Capital Raising & Corporate Finance

SANCTIONS THREATEN RUSSIAN DEALS

Mergers and acquisitions involving Russian companies, including Morgan Stanley’s planned sale of its global oil-trading unit to Rosneft, are threatened by Western sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine crisis.

Economics, Policy & Regulation

TURKEY: CRACKS ARE STARTING TO APPEAR

Financial markets may initially have reacted well to the reelection of the AKP and prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoan, but his success belies deep-seated political and economic problems.

Economics, Policy & Regulation

Balkans: Leaders See Eye To Eye

MILESTONES By Justin Keay Not long ago, it would have been almost impossible to get the leaders of the various...

Capital Raising & Corporate Finance

Foreign Exchange: Euro Rises

CORPORATE FINANCING NEWS By Gordon Platt The European Central Bank’s refusal to ease monetary policy in the face of below-target inflation boosted the euro to its highest levels of the year in March, while the British pound rose ...

Banking

World’s Best Investment Banks 2014

ANNUAL AWARDS: HIGH-OCTANE YEAR Global investment banks will face a tremendous challenge as they strive to continue running their underwriting businesses at the elevated levels they reached in 2013. Many of the largest banks on Wall Street reaped a windfall ...

Capital Raising & Corporate Finance

BAFT Annual Global Meeting

STAR PERFORMERS By Anita Hawser Over the past six years transaction banking has been one of the best performers in an otherwise lackluster banking sector. Even in the midst of a global financial crisis, suppliers and salaries still need to ...

Capital Raising & Corporate Finance

Divergent Destinies In The Caucasus

REGIONAL FOCUS<br /> The countries of the Caucasus region (Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia) continue to march down very different economic paths, despite their proximity and sociocultural connections.