Vienna International Banking Industry News

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

Fekter: “I Will Fight to Preserve Banking Secrecy in Austria!”

“Data protection is a valuable institution. We will continue to protect innocent citizens, but will also continue to lead the way in pursuing tax evaders.”

April 8, 2013

Fitch Downgrades Slovenian Banks to Junk Status

Rating agency Fitch has downgraded the creditworthiness of five Slovenian Banks.

April 8, 2013

Russia to Contribute to Cyprus Aid-Package

President Vladimir Putin has announced that Russia will contribute to rescue-package for Cyprus.

April 8, 2013

Concern About Hypo Group in Friuli

MEP Serracchiani has requested to get involved in the current affairs.

April 8, 2013

Matolcsy’s Program Evokes Mixed Feelings.

During a press conference on Thursday, April 4, new Govenor of Hungarian National Bank (MNB), György Matolcsy presented some of the “creative financial market instruments”.

April 6, 2013

Investigation Report Incriminates Managers of Bank of Cyprus

Mass purchase of Greek state bonds and removing of data.

April 5, 2013

Decisions About Hypo Group’s Future Still Pending

Finance Minister Maria Fekter has presented herself rather reserved after the meeting with EU Commissioner for Competition Joaquin Almunia.

April 5, 2013

Fekter Defends Austrian Bank Secret

With the reference to the agreement with Switzerland and Lichtenstein, Finance Minister Fekter tries to convince the EU Commission to leave the Austrian bank secret at the current situation.

April 5, 2013

Austria: Fekter Craving for Indulgence in Brussels

Austrian Finance Minister Fekter will be in Brussels on Friday to negotiate about the privatization of the nationalized-by –force Hypo Group.

April 4, 2013

Turkey’s Hopes of a Reunited Cyprus

The financial crisis in Cyprus is, according to Turkish President Abdullah Gül, an important opportunity to overcome the seperation of Cyprus.

April 4, 2013

Cyprus: Evidence Destroyed?

According to reports by the media in Cyprus, important evidence about the heavily affected Bank of Cyprus was destroyed.

April 4, 2013

Keuschnigg Forecasts End of Bank Secret in Austria

Head of the Austrian Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS), Christian Keuschnigg expects the end of the bank secret in Austria.

April 3, 2013

Russia: Refinancing Rate Expected to Be Cut

The Central Bank of Russia (CBR) estimates inflation risks higher than a slow economic growth. However, the refinancing rate is expected to be lowered soon.

April 3, 2013

Cyprus: Prone to Recession

Despite of the bail-out package, the country is threatened by a deep recession in the coming two years.

April 3, 2013

Green’s Fear of Russian Black Money in Austria

Once more, the Austrian Greens insist on a reform of the bank secrecy.

April 2, 2013

Cyprus: Finance Minister Steps Down

According to reports by the media, Finance Minister of Cyprus, Michael Sarris will be replaced.

April 2, 2013

Cyprus: Anastasiades Comes Under Suspicion

President Nikos Anastasiades is in dire straits as he is accused of having transferred huge amounts of money to foreign countries and having warned relatives. In the meantime, the austerity package is almost set.

April 2, 2013

Slovenia: “We Will Need No Bailout This Year”

Since Greece, Spain and Cyprus are currently finding themselves in disastrous economic situations, Slovenia does not want to seem like the next bail-out candidate.

March 30, 2013

Cyprus: 37.5 % Only The First Cut

Assets will be burdened much higher than assumed. Apart from the mandatory levy of 37.5 % a further amount of 22.5 % will be frozen in.

March 30, 2013

Cyprus: 37.5 % Tax on Assets

The compulsory levy on bank assets exeeding € 100,000 has now been fixed. Assets above the amount will be taxed with 37.5 %.

March 30, 2013

Hungary: Economic Growth Only in 2014

The MNB, the National Bank of Hungary estimates economic growth to further stagnate in 2013 but forcasts positive devolopments for the next year.

March 29, 2013

Lithuania: Increase in Non-Cash Payments

Significant increase in non-cash payments creates a premise for banks to review their fees

March 29, 2013

Austria: Sale of Kommunalkredit Still in Limbo

Denationalization of Kommunalkredit not yet completed.

March 29, 2013

Cyprus: No Bank Run

The feared bank-run after the almost two-weeks long closing of the banks in Cyprus has not occured.

March 29, 2013

Slovenia: Situation For Banks Still Shaky

According to the National Bank, the new government in Slovenia needs to avoid becoming the new setting of bail-out negotiations with the EU after the banking crisis in Cyprus.

March 28, 2013

VBAG: Business Operation Down by € 131m

In 2012 single entity result negative at EUR -131 million.Net interest income decreased to € 220m. Total assets dropped by € 13.5 billion to € 27.7bn. Further losses are expected for 2013.

March 28, 2013

Slovenia: NLB Gets Own Bad Bank

Slovenia biggest bank, Nova Ljubljanska Banka (NLB), is going to establish its own intern bad bank.

March 28, 2013

Cyprus: Trying to Avoid Chaos at Banks

Today, Cyprus‘ banks are supposed to be opened after almost two weeks of closing. The citizens are called for calm and there are limits for drawing money. The currency rate was downgraded to Caa2 by Moody’s.

March 28, 2013

Cyprus: Mandatory Levy on Assets Not Yet Fixed

Banks in Cyprus will open again tomorrow, yet the capital flow is still limited. Dijsselbloem is criticized by the ECB. Bank employees demand Demetriades’ stepping down.

March 27, 2013

Moody’s Warns EU

The rating agency warns the EU governments about over-estimating the ability to overcome the Euro-crisis.

March 27, 2013

Hungary: Tax Overhaul Finalized

Minister for National Economy: taxation system completed - time for fine-tuning.

March 27, 2013

Cyprus: Outflow of Billions of Euros Presumed

Investors in Cyprus could face haircuts up to 50 %. Parliamentary President, Omirou want to go into details about the alleged transfer of assets despite of the banks closing.

March 26, 2013

Hungary: MNB to Reduce Key Interest Rate

The Hungarian National Bank (MNB) lowered the key interest rate by 25 basis points down to 5.0 %. This is the eighth downgrade in a row.

March 26, 2013

Head of Bank of Cyprus Withdraws

Head of Cyprus’ biggest bank withdraws. Cyprus’ Labor Minister warns of recession and economic downturn due to the austerity measures imposed by the EU and Commission.

March 26, 2013

Slovakia: No Improvement in Economic Situation For 2013

Analysts forecast the GDP growth to be less than one percent.

March 26, 2013

Ukraine and Deutsche Bank Signed Agreement

In order to finance the reconstruction of gas transportation system of Ukraine last year a loan agreement between the Ukrainian "UkrTransGas" subsidiary company "Naftogaz of Ukraine" and Deutsche Bank was signed.

March 26, 2013

Medvedev Vexed Over EU

In case the government will not come to conclusion how to generate the required money (€ 5.8bn), the ECB will cut off the money supply for Cyprus’ ramshackle banks.

March 25, 2013

Austria: Highest Rate of Foreign-Currency Debts

No other country in Europe exhibits such a high amount of private foreign currency credit users. In 2014, when the next wave of repayments is due many debtors might be in for a shock.

March 25, 2013

Cyprus: Bail-Out Package Accepted

Cyprus has been granted the € 10bn worth aid package by the EU. After ten hours of negotiations in Brussels the decision was made early this morning. Assets below € 100,000 will not be taxed.

March 25, 2013

Lithuania: Problem with Ūkio Bankas Solved

The newest Lithuanian financial market data show that the market participants positively assessed the solution chosen by the Bank of Lithuania to deal with the problem of Ūkio bankas.

March 25, 2013

Croatia: Sluggish Economic Recovery

The improvement in the financing conditions in international financial markets in the second half of 2012 mitigated the risks to Croatias financial stability to an extent.

March 25, 2013

Czech Republic: Confidence in Domestic Economy Inreased Marginally

Overall confidence in domestic economy increased slightly in March. The composite confidence indicator (economic sentiment indicator) increased by 0.2 points compared to February.

March 25, 2013

Cyprus: Agreement on Bank Asset Tax

Today, the Cyprian government has come to a solution on the compulsory charges on bank accounts.

March 23, 2013

Cyprus: Votes on Mandatory Levy

In case the government will not come to conclusion how to generate the required money (€ 5.8bn), the ECB will cut off the money supply for Cyprus’ ramshackle banks.

March 23, 2013

Meinl Needs to Reimburse Starbet Investors

The Regional High Court (OLG) in Vienna has passed the judgement that Meinl Bank has to compensate sports betting company Starbet

March 23, 2013

VBAG to Sell Malta Affiliate

VBAG is going to sell its small Malta subsidiary in the course of the EU downsizing program which the banking institute has commited to.

March 23, 2013

Fekter: “Austrians can rest easy knowing that their bank deposits are safe.”

Current situation in Cyprus is an exceptional case and not comparable in any way with Austria.

March 22, 2013

Cyprus: Negotiations About “Plan B“ Today

After days of negotiations in Moscow, Cyprian Finance Minister had to return empty-handed. Talks about “plan B” will continue today.

March 22, 2013

Hypo Group’s Silence Bewilders Bayern LB

Bayern LB is puzzled as to why former affiliate, Carithian Hypo Group, has not shown any efforts to state their position before court.

March 21, 2013

RBI to Acquire More Clients in Romania

RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International) is attaining a portfolio of private clients by Citibank via affiliate Raiffeisen Bank S. A.

March 21, 2013