Vienna International Banking Industry News

Read the latest headlines about developments in the international banking industry in Vienna and Austria

Erste Group Bank AG - SWOT Analysis & Company Report

This report contains in depth information and data about Erste Group and its operations and markets. It contains a company overview, business and strategy description, financial ratios, valuation & forecast data, SWOT analysis, plus data on key events.

July 12, 2013

Fekter: Capital Aids for Hypo Included in Next Budgets

Finance Minister Maria Fekter sticks to it: „We will reach a zero deficit in 2016 and have a slight surplus in 2017,”she announced during the presentation of the economic report 2013 on Wednesday.

July 11, 2013

Austrian Economy Dependent on Neighbor Countries

Austria’s economy is getting through the crisis better than the Eurozone. However, the country owes this partly to neighboring countries.

July 11, 2013

Slovenia Can Afford Bank Sector Cleanup Itself

Slovenia intends to use its own funds and avoid having to ask the Eurozone or IMF for aid to restore the stability of its banking sector, said the country's finance minister Uros Cufer.

July 10, 2013

Russian Car Market to Get New Lift

The number of sales of new cars in Russia has declined 11 percent. This is the fourth month in a row showing declines, according to the figures of the Accociation of European Businesses (AEB).

July 10, 2013

Alpine Bankruptcy Hits Clients Hard

According to real estate experts problems for home builders have just started.

July 10, 2013

Spindelegger: Fitness Program for Austria

Austrian economy supposed to be boosted by reforms of “Unternehmen Österreich 2025, and a rejection of new taxes.

July 10, 2013

Slovenia’s Banking Sector Threatened by Delay of Bad Bank-Transfers

After the EU Commission denied approval for the first transfers of bad loans to the bank asset management by June 28, the reorganization of the banking system in Slovenia has been postponed.

July 9, 2013

Latvia: Joining the Eurozone

Lativa is becoming the 18th country in the Eurozone. The EU Economy and Finance Ministers have given their green light for the admission.

July 9, 2013

Poland: NBP Downgrades Forecasts for GDP and CPI

The National Bank of Poland (NBP) downgrades GDP and CPI forecasts over next two years.

July 9, 2013

OeNB Favors Examination of Bad Bank for Hypo

The Austrian National Bank (OeNB) has, according to Govenor Ewald Nowotny, requested to examine models for the establishing of a bad bank for Hypo Group. This was announced by Nowotny on Monday

July 8, 2013

Hypo: Greens vs. Fekter

The debate about a Hypo Group has turned out a genuine match between deputy chief of the Austrian Green Party Werner Kogler and Finance Minister Fekter.

July 4, 2013

Poland: Last Cut in Interest Rate In 2013

Base rate down to new all-time low.

July 4, 2013

Slovenia: Trying to Make a Difference

The crisis measures approved by Brussels are partially starting to make an impact. Since July 1, the higher tax rate of 22 percent is binding. However, the country does much more than just raise taxes.

July 3, 2013

Bank Austria to Close 67 Subsidiaries

UniCredit Affiliate Bank Austria plans to close 67 subsidiaries – a quarter of its 270 stores for private costumers until 2015.

July 3, 2013

EU Commissioner Open for Extension of Deadline for Hypo Group

EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia presented himself open to the extension of the winding-down of Hypo Group.

July 3, 2013

Fekter: Kranebitter „Weary of Office“

Hypo CEO Kranebitter resigns and settles a score with the Finance Ministry in an open letter. He decided to step back after three and a half years because “major parts of the work were damaged”.

July 3, 2013

Erste Group Successfully Completes EUR 660.6 Million Accelerated Bookbuild Offering

Issue size of the capital increase: 35,231,353 new shares at a final subscription and offer price of EUR 18.75 per share.

July 2, 2013

Hypo Group: CEO Kranebitter Steps Back

Kranebitter announced to stay until the half-year accounts are published. On Monday it became known that the ailing bank will in all likelihood require more state aid than planned.

July 2, 2013

Hypo Group: CESEE Units to be Sold Until Mid-2015

The threatened compulsory sale of nationalized Hypo Alpe Adria Group by the EU Commission until the end of this year, was, according to information by the Finance Ministry, fended off. An additional burden of € 2bn might await the Austrian taxpayers.

July 1, 2013

Crisis in Slovenia Might Take Longer Than Expected

According to the latest economic report by auditing firm Ernst&Young;, the financial crisis in Slovenia will take longer than expected beforehand. However, the country should still be able to avoid international bailout.

July 1, 2013

Hypo Group: Government Hopes For Expansion of Deadline

The restructuring plan for Hypo Group has been handed in to Brussels. It is still unclear whether the deadline will be expanded.

July 1, 2013

Slovenia Likely To Require Bailout

According to Capital Economics Ltd. Slovenia will in all likelyhood ask for a bailout to bolster its ailing banking sector in case the debt crisis in Europe should worsen.

June 28, 2013

Hungary: New Tax for Banks

According to a legislative proposal by Economy Minister Varga, banks would have to face a further burden of around € 250m.

June 27, 2013

VBAG And RZB Group Reach An Agreement

VBAG and RZB Group conclude contract on the aquisition of assets.

June 27, 2013

RBI Will Take Its Time With the Repayment of Participation Capital

It is not yet clear when RBI will pay back state participation capital in the amount of € 1.75bn.

June 27, 2013

Hypo Group and BayernLB Keep on Fighting

Hypo Group responds to the BayernLB’s lawfile at the Regional Court in Munich. Both banks will not give up their very hard stance.

June 26, 2013

RBI: Increase in Dividend Payment

Raiffeisen Bank International's Annual General Meeting approves dividend of € 1.17 per share.

June 26, 2013

Hypo Group: Commisson Against Extension of Deadline

Austria will in all probability not be granted an extension of the deadline for the winding down of Hypo Alpe Adria. This was announced by EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia

June 26, 2013

Mitterlehner: Romania Offers New Chances for Austrian Economy

Austrian Economy Minister Reinhold Mitterlehner met his Romanian counterpart Varujan Vosganian in Vienna.

June 25, 2013

Raids at Hypo Group in Italy

Because of suspicions of tax fraud Hypo Group’s affiliate in Udine was searched by the Italian police.

June 25, 2013

Fekter: "1.76 Billion Repayment by Erste Bank is Good News for Taxpayers"

Thanks given to Erste Bank for repayment of EUR 1.76 billion in participation capital

June 25, 2013

Erste Group to Pay Back € 1.8bn in State Aid

The Austrian banking institute plans on not only paying back its debts at the state but also to significantly increase equity capital.

June 24, 2013

Slovenia Expects Economic Recovery As Soon As 2014

On Saturday, the Slovenian Finance Ministry expressed its confidence that the newly adopted action plan would help stabilize public finances and help gain economic recovery despite of Fitch’s downgrade.

June 24, 2013

Austria: Investigations on Loan to Alpine

Apparently ailing bank Hypo Group plays a role in the bankruptcy of Austrian construction company Alpine. The bank is supposed to have granted a bridge loan.

June 21, 2013

Changes to the Management Board of Erste Group

CFO Wimmer to retire, Mittendorfer to take over.

June 21, 2013

Hypo: Deal with Russian Oligarch with “Proper Mortgage”

The investigations into money laundering at the Federal Criminal Office concerning the business with Russian oligarch Vladimir Antonov were brought to an end without any results. There were no arms among the securities.

June 20, 2013

Hypo Group: Business With Russian Oligarch

Austrian magazine „News“ unveils a remarkable business connection of Hypo Group from 2008.

June 19, 2013

Cyprus Demands Further Capital Aid

In a letter to the European Union, President of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiades demands further capital support for the Bank of Cyprus, the “Wallstreet Journal” reports. According to him, Cyprus’ economy depended on it.

June 19, 2013

Alpine Facing Bankruptcy

The restructuring of Austria’s second biggest construction company Alpine has failed. The enterprise therefore has to face bankruptcy.

June 19, 2013

Hungary: Taxes to Be Raised

Shortly before the parliamentary summer recess taxes were raised by the government of Viktor Orban.

June 18, 2013

Alpine: Bondholders to Lose Assets

On Monday evening the decision was made for the financial reorganization of the Austrian construction company.

June 18, 2013

Bankruptcy Case Mayr-Melnhof in Switzerland

In Domat/Ems, Switzerland’s biggest sawmill was supposed to be operated. The only thing left now, however, is a financial hole running in the millions. Erste Group is concerned by losses as well.

June 17, 2013

Slovakia and Unicredit in a Dispute

In Slovakia a dispute between Unicredit and the state has incensed. This could negatively affect the planned merger with a Czech affiliate in 2014.

June 17, 2013

Slovenia: Mercator to be Finally Sold

It is the ninth sale attempt for Slovenian trade chain Mercator today, but it could be finally sealed. Croatian corporation Agrokor is the interested party. A dozen owners will decide about the retail chain’s fate.

June 14, 2013

Poland: PKO BP to Acquire Polish Assets of Nordea

Bank PKO BP strikes deal to buy Nordea's Polish assets.

June 13, 2013

EU Abandons Quarterly Reports

Listed enterprises in the European Union do not have to present quarterly reports from 2015 on.

June 12, 2013

Fekter: „Bad Bank for Hypo Not The Most Creative Solution“

The Austrian Greens affirm their demand for the establishing of a bad bank for the ailing Hypo Group and a respective bill.

June 12, 2013

Ukraine Leaps to Business Deregulation

One of the reform priorities for Ukraine in 2012 has become the deregulation of business activity.

June 11, 2013

Serracchiani: „Will Do Everything I Can“

In an interview with Austrian newspaper “Kleine Zeitung“ Debora Serracchiani, new regional president of the province Friuli in Italy announced to do everything so that Hypo Group Italy will survive.

June 11, 2013