In Eastern Europe, Western Banks Fuel Growth, Fears.

Focuses on the economic conditions in Eastern Europe. Concerns about consumer credit in Eastern Europe as foreign banks invest in the region; Examples of foreign banks controlling a majority of the assets in Bulgaria's and Poland's banking system; Reasons behind the merger of UniCredito Italiano SpA and HVB Group, suggesting the merged bank wants to expand into Eastern Europe; Percentage increase in consumer loans in Bulgaria, noting that Eastern European banks were short of capital just a few years ago; Speculation about consumer credit undermining the economic growth in the region; Importance of the Eastern European economies for the European Union.