The economic and social challenges before the banking sector in Southeastern Europe were among the most debated topics at an international conference organized by the Federation of Financial Trade Unions in Bulgaria and the Economic Policy Institute on 2 July 2010. The event gathered participants from the United Bulgarian Bank (UBB), UniCredit Bulbank and representatives of the employees in the banking sector from Greece, Cyprus and Montenegro.Within the first panel the chief economist of UBB – Ms. Petya Tzekova and the Equity Financing Manager of UBB – Ms. Galina Dimitrova presented from a perspective of bankers the economic aspects and impacts of the crisis on the banking system. Afterwards, Kiril Grigorov, Procurator at the Bulgarian Credit Rating Agency, elaborated on the current situation and the current challenges towards the smaller players on the banking market. Representing the scientific circles, Grigor Sariiski from the Institute of Economics at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences analyzed the overall condition of the banking system and the implications of the financial crisis on it. During the second part of the conference the participants from Greece, Cyprus and Montenegro concentrated on a narrower but also important topic – the actual effects of the crisis on employees in the banking sector.