Vienna International Banking Industry News

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

Moody’s: Rate Cuts Credit-Negative for Polish Banks

The recently passed cut in interest rates by Poland’s Monetary Policy Council has a negative effect on credits for Polish banks, rating agency Moody’s announced.

June 11, 2013

Fekter: The North Feeds The South

Finance Minister Fekter compares the situation in Europe with the economic circumstances in Italy.

June 11, 2013

Poland: Sale of Foreign Currencies to Stabilize Zloty

After lowest rate in one year, the Polish government had to take actions.

June 10, 2013

Siemens VAI to Modernize Ukrainian Steel Plant

The signing of a major contract in Ukraine for Upper-Austrian industrial plant construction company Siemens VAI is in its final steps.

June 10, 2013

RBI Opens Branch Office in Hong Kong

RBI as only Austrian bank with an operative presence in Greater China Region. Focus on trade and corporate finance solutions.

June 10, 2013

Hypo Group: Fekter Under Pressure

Finance Minister Fekter is put under pressure by Austrian Green Party to establish a bad bank for Hypo Group.

June 10, 2013

RBI: Karl Sevelda Named New CEO

Raiffeisen Bank International AG named Karl Sevelda as its new chief executive, following Herbert Stepic's recent offer to resign the post.

June 7, 2013

RBI Supervisory Board to Elect Stepic’s Successor

On Friday, the supervisory board will vote on former CEO Herbert Stepic’s successor for listed Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI).

June 7, 2013

Poland: Base Rate Down to Record Low

Poland’s Monetary Council has cut the base rate to 2.75 percent.

June 6, 2013

Papa: CEESE To Keep Growth Advantage

Deputy CEO of Bank Austria Papa sees a long-term potential in CESEE countries. Bank Austria is expecting a growing credit business apart from the favorable economic outlook in the region.

June 6, 2013

RBI Awarded “Best Bank in CEE & CIS 2012“

Raiffeisen Bank International AG (RBI) was again awarded the prestigious title of "Best Bank in CEE & CIS" by EMEA Finance magazine.

June 6, 2013

Slovenia: Commission’s Target to Be Achieved in September

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Gregor Virant announced that Slovenia will achieve the EU Commission’s aim for approving more budget cuts by the end of September to avoid international bailout.

June 6, 2013

Austria: Liebscher as Chairman of Hypo Group’s Supervisory Board

Liebscher is to take over Ditz’ position after the meeting of bodies on June 21.

June 5, 2013

Hypo Group: Possible Deductions from Selling Price

The new British-Indian Owner of Hypo Group is to pay only € 32m for the time being.

June 5, 2013

Slovenia: Bailout As An Option

Prime Minister Bratusek announced her consent to introduce fiscal rule in 2015.

June 4, 2013

Hypo Group: Italian Affilate Not to be Closed

The nationalized Carinthian bank has no plans of shutting down its Italien affiliate.

June 4, 2013

Fitch to Downgrade Cyprus Again

The rating agency sees high risks for aid programs.

June 4, 2013

Austria: Finance Ministry Regrets Ditz’ Withdrawal

Johannes Ditz, chairman of Hypo Group’s suvervisory board, announced his withdrawal yesterday.

June 4, 2013

Romania: Erste Forecasts Economic Growth at 1.8 Percent

Erste keeps Romania's economic growth forecast for 2013 unchanged at 1.8 %.

June 3, 2013

Hypo: Ditz to Resign

Chairman of Hypo Group’s supervising board Johannes Ditz might soon resign, according to media reports.

June 3, 2013

Czech Repubic to Restrict Budget Cuts

To boost domestic economy, the Finance Ministry announced to temporarily restrict budget cuts.

May 31, 2013

Austria: Hypo Alpe Adria Group and Anadi Financial Holdings Pte. Ltd. Signed Deal

After a successful restructuring of the bank the signing is an important step towards the privatization of the banking institute.

May 31, 2013

Slovenia: NKBM Still In the Reds

Particularly high risk provision caused the bank a net loss of € 8.5m. Even for the whole of 2013, losses are expected.

May 31, 2013

Hypo: Contract Could Be Signed Today

Today the Austrian affiliate of Hypo Group could be transferred to the property of Indian Srei Group. The company is a fast-growing listed enterprise with around 30,000 clients.

May 31, 2013

32 More Austrians Mentioned in Offshore-List

According to Austrian magazine News, 32 further Austrians from all occupations and age groups are listed at the so-called Offshore-Leaks.

May 29, 2013

Erste Group Claimed of Being Interested in Croatian Banks

There are rumors of the taking over of Hypo Croatia and HPB. However, the banks deny the speculations.

May 29, 2013

Hypo Group to Sell Austrian Affiliate

On Friday the deal of nationalized Hypo Bank’s Austrian affiliate will finally be sealed. Indian Srei Group will become the new owner in all likelyhood. The company will pay € 60m to € 70m.

May 29, 2013

Capital Inflow & Outflow In Hungary Broke Records Last Year

Last year, the amount of foreign direct investments totalled EUR 10.462bn in Hungary, which exceeds the previous year’s figure by EUR 6.7bn and which is the largest amount ever recorded.

May 28, 2013

RBI: Stepic’s Successor to Be Announced Next Week

Former CEO of RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International) Herbert Stepic has publicly declared his resignation last week. The announcement to his successor is a long time in the coming.

May 28, 2013

Austria: Faymann Proposes Extension of Bank Levy

Not only the federation and taxpayers should avow for the losses at Hypo Group. This week the restructuring plan has to be handed to the EU Commission.

May 27, 2013

Commission Welcomes Slovenia’s Commitment

The EU Commission approved of Slovenia’s adoption of a balanced budget rule on Friday last week.

May 27, 2013

Croatia: PM Anxious About Country’s Image

Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic announced that Croatia had to fight hard for its reputation within the European Union.

May 27, 2013

Austria: New CEO for RBI to Be Announced "In The Coming Days"

On Monday, the supvising boad will negotiate about the filling of the post for the CEO of listed Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI).

May 27, 2013

Meinl Bank to Enter Bulgarian Market

Meinl Bank still awaits the green light from the Bulgarian National Bank before it can be opened.

May 24, 2013

Austria: Faymann Positive About Extension for Hypo Group

Chancellor Werner Faymann presented himself restrained yet confident about the extension granted by the Commission regarding the deadline for the winding-down of Hypo Alpe Adria Group.

May 24, 2013

RBI: Meeting About Stepic’s Successor on Monday

Today, Herbert Stepic announced his resignation as CEO of Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) due to personal reasons.

May 24, 2013

Austria: Stepic Offers Resignation

Herbert Stepic offers his resignation as CEO of RBI.

May 24, 2013

Nowotny: Decision About Bad Bank for Hypo Not Essential Right Now

The Governor of Austrian’s National Bank confirms that the result for the ailing Hypo Group will not be “good” due to the losses that have amounted over the past years.

May 23, 2013

Slovenia: Fiscal Rule to Be Introduced in 2015

Prime Minister Bratusek announced her consent to introduce fiscal rule in 2015.

May 23, 2013

Austrian Top Banker to Appear in „Offshore-Leaks“

For the first time, a European top banker appears in the “Offshore-Leaks” database. CEO of Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) Herbert Stepic is coming under massive pressure.

May 23, 2013

Srei Group to Offer € 65.6m for Hypo

The Indian Srei Group offers € 65.5m for Austrian Hypo affiliate.

May 22, 2013

Raiffeisen Centrobank to Join Prague Stock Exchange

Raiffeisen Centrobank joins the Prague Stock Exchange as trading member.

May 22, 2013

Leitl: „EU Has To Deliver Clear Confession to Business Location Europe”

According to Leitl, the EU Summit has to deliver a “clear confession to business and industrial location” Europe.

May 22, 2013

VBAG and VR Leasing Launch Sale Process

VBAG and VR Leasing launch sales process for VB-Leasing International.

May 22, 2013

Banking Secret until 2015 in European Union

The banking secret for tax foreigners in the European Union could finally be completely aborted by 2015. There is an ambiguity about Luxembourg’s position in advance to the EU mini-summit over the extended EU Savings Directive (EUSD).

May 22, 2013

Slovenia Taking Drastic Measures

NLB plans to cut workforce by 20 percent. The Slovenian government signed an agreement with unions to cut wage costs and is discussing to raise VAT. The country is hoping for € 1bn for the selling of state-owned enterprises.

May 22, 2013

Austria: Three Major Banks Have Made Their „Last Will“

Three Austrian banks have already made their „testament“. Erste Group, Raiffeisen and Bank Austria have presented plans for a possible restructuring. The plans are part of the future bank insolvency law.

May 22, 2013

Austria: Fekter’s Ambition to „Steer Hypo Group Into Safe Waters“

In the margin of the Council of Ministers, Finance Minister Maria Fekter announced that Austria will hand in the new restructuring plan for Hypo Alpe Adria Group to the EU Commission in the coming days.

May 21, 2013

Slovenia Hoping for Soon Recovery

Crisis-struck Slovenia intends to make more room financially by starting to privatize its state-owned banks. Experts regard the process to be carried out too slowly.

May 21, 2013

Austria: Preliminary Results on Hypo Group Expected Next Week

Hypo Group’s task force, appointed by the government, will present the preliminary corner marks next week.

May 17, 2013