Obvious enough: the fincial system in Europe is bigger now, relative to its GDP, than before the crisis. It is also more concentrated plus non-banks play a bigger role in it. According to the European Central Bank while capital ratios have increased, non-performing loans remain high in key member states - hampering recovery in the region’s periphery, limiting credit growth and putting fincial stability in jeopardy. Silver lining - economic growth is picking up in these economies. Portugal has been growing above the euro zone average, thanks to stronger exports. The central bank expects GDP to expand by 2.5 percent in 2017, up from 1.5 percent in 2016. This rate is expected to be 0.3 percent higher than the eurozone average. Exports are predicted to outperform consumption and investment in boosting the economy. They should expand by 7.1 percent in 2017, the central bank says, up from 4.1 percent in 2016.