English
Obserwator Finansowy features views and analysis of economy in Poland and other countries, written by some of the best journalists, economists and analysts. Our mission is to share knowledge of economics and financial markets in the world.
Obserwator Finansowy is a project under aegis of the Poland’s central bank, Narodowy Bank Polski. We have published thousands of articles about the Polish and global economy. Our journalists have conducted hundreds of interviews with Nobel laureates, distinguished economists, business leaders and politicians with views across the political spectrum.
In this section you can find selected articles in English.
Ukraine – an emerging electronic payments market
Michał KozakOver the past five years, Ukraine has undergone a genuine revolution in the electronic payments market – the number of such payments has increased several-fold. At the same time, there has been an increase in the number of...
The regulatory challenges of shadow banking
Andrzej DżurykShadow banking consists of entities conducting financial intermediation activities outside of the regulated banking system. The Financial Stability Board says the shadow banking was the main cause of the last global...
Artificial Intelligence is changing the financial system
Milena KabzaArtificial Intelligence modifies the previously existing links between entities operating on the financial markets, introduces new competition rules, and plays an increasingly important role. Its potential poses a major...
Banks in Estonia not yet plugged gaps in AML controls
Jo HarperBanks in Estonia have not yet plugged all the gaps in their money laundering controls, the Baltic state’s regulator said, pledging to maintain a clampdown.
The green finance revolution
Magdalena KrukowskaThe value of investments aimed at counteracting global climate change should reach USD1 trillion next year. However, much more is needed in order to prevent a natural and economic catastrophe.
An alternative look at foreign capital
Marcin OlbrychtFor many years the role of foreign capital in the economic transition of the countries of Central and Southeast Europe (CSE) was seen as a very positive influence.
Nineteen years of the floating PLN
Witold GadomskiSince 1990, Poland has adopted almost all possible exchange rate regimes, starting with a fixed rate, through a crawling peg, and finally a free floating rate.
Croatia on a path to the Eurozone but with challenges ahead
Vedran ObućinaOn its path to Eurozone membership Croatia has taken the important step of filing a formal application to join the EU's Exchange Rate Mechanism, or ERM II. But doubts whether introducing the EUR is a good or a dangerous...
Annual reports show growth of micro enterprises in Croatia
Vedran ObućinaThe data from the annual financial statements of the entrepreneurs reveal an extremely interesting dynamics in the structure of the Croatian corporate sector. But the changes are still located at the bottom of the corporate...
The banking sector is facing the next huge technological leap
Witold GadomskiThe banking sector is facing another revolution — the competition of global corporations, such as Facebook, Google, Amazon, Apple, and Alibaba. Their strength will force banks to restructure, but it may also push some of...