Vienna International Banking Industry News
Read the latest headlines about developments in the international banking industry in Vienna and Austria
Cyprus: Small Investors To Be Excluded From Tax
After protests among Cyprus‘ citizens arised and harsh criticism was expressed, the government now intends to exclude small savers from the compulsary tax and grant them a relief.
March 19, 2013
Czech Republic: Opposition Rejects Austerity Measures
Opposition leader Sobotka was re-elected last Friday as chairman of the Social Democrats. In an interview with Reuters he explains why the government needs to slow down on austerity measures.
March 18, 2013
Austria: Investigation Against VBAG Board Members
The Austrian Justice is currently investigating a case of the Austrian Volksbanken AG (VBAG) where three former board members are accused of having forged balance sheets. Board director CEO Michael Mendel is not among the suspects.
March 18, 2013
Cyprus: Parliament Votes Tomorrow For Rescue Package
The Cyprian parliament is unlikely to vote in favor for the rescue package which forces bank clients to contribute with their private money.
March 18, 2013
Bank Austria's Profits Under Pressure
In the fourth quarter, Bank Austria has recorded a net loss of € 676m. In the whole year, CEE division showed a profit before tax of € 1.712bn which is an increase of 6 % compared to 2011. One-off charges totalled € 879m.
March 18, 2013
Austria Pays Almost € 300m in Greek Aid
Eurosystem gives away profits from support operations of Greek government bonds. € 281m comes from Austria.
March 16, 2013
Bank Austria Takes Drastic Measures
Because of selling the Kazakhstan division and bad credits, quarter losses of € 553m for parent company UniCredit have to be faced.
March 16, 2013
Cyprus to Receive € 10bn in EU Aid Money
Russia being the biggest investor in Cyprus offered extension of credits. In return, austerity measures and reforms are demanded.
March 16, 2013
VBAG is Forced to Continue Radical Downsizing Measures
The partly nationalized and financially stricken Austrian banking group has to implement a painful restructuring concept. At the moment, VBAG sells its properties.
March 15, 2013
Bank Austria to Sell ATF
Bank Austria will sell its affiliation in Kazakhstan, ATF Bank, which was acquired in 2007. ATF made losses into the billions.
March 15, 2013
Poland: Inflation Decreasing
Declining inflation was supported by weaker demand and cost pressures in the economy, decrease in energy price growth as well as zloty exchange rate stronger than a year ago.
March 15, 2013
Romania: Surplus in Balance of Payments
In January, the balance-of-payments current account posted a surplus of EUR 465 million Y/Y.
March 15, 2013
Russia: Former Economy Minister To Become New Governor Of Central Bank
Former economy minister Elvira Nabiullina will take over the post of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) Governor.
March 14, 2013
Russia: Banks At Risk Of Losing Billions
According to rating agency Moody’s, Russians banking institutes are at risk of losing money to investments in Cyprus.
March 14, 2013
Austrian Banks to Stay in Hungary
In the coming years, foreign banks will face a difficult market environment in Hungary. Nevertheless, Austrian banks want to maintain their position.
March 14, 2013
Croatia: HRK 380m To Be Paid Into The State Budget
At its session today, the Croatian National Bank (CNB) Council examined the latest monetary and economic indicators as well as a report on the banking system condition in the last quarter of 2012.
March 14, 2013
Slovenia: New Coalition Stands
Slovenia´s new Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek is the head of a four-party-coalition.
March 13, 2013
Orban Wants to Strengthen Hungarian Banks
According to Hungary´s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the high share of foreign banks is “unhealthy”.
March 13, 2013
Bawag: Solid Operating Performance in 2012
Profit after tax (without restructuring expenses) of € 153.2m slightly above last year’s level.
March 13, 2013
Erste Group to Take over BCR Completely
The Austrian banking group launches a permanent buy-out offer for minority shareholders of BCR.
March 13, 2013
Austria: Hypo Group Still Sailing in Stormy Waters
Hypo Group wants a fast selling until the end of 2013. Vending of Italian and CESEE subsidiaries could take longer as the economic situation is not appealing at the moment.
March 12, 2013
Austria: Nationalizing Hypo Group Prevented BayernLB from Losses
EU Competition Commission pushes the Austrian government to shut down the loss-making Hypo Group.
March 11, 2013
Slovenia/Croatia: Paving the Way for Brussels
Today, both heads of government, Janez Jansa and Zoran Milanovic, signed the “Memorandum of Understanding” in Mokrice which will permit Croatia to become a full EU member.
March 11, 2013
Austria: Hypo Gets Additional € 700m From State
The EU threatens to close down Hypo Group because of the overdue restructuring measures.
March 9, 2013
Belgrade Initiative to Support Serbia´s Financial System
The first meeting of the Belgrade Initiative, a host country cross-border banking forum, was held in Belgrade today.
March 8, 2013
Hungary: OTP’s Profits Lower Than Expected for Q4
OTP said it had to recover from losses from previous year. Income in the core domestic business fell 17 % to HUF 94.6 bn in 2012. Still, net profits are up 46 %.
March 8, 2013
Czech Republic: Erste Group Cutting More Jobs
Because Erste Group has to save CZK 1bn (€ 39m) this year, economy measures need to be taken.
March 8, 2013
Austria: Negative Outlook for Banks
Moody’s current analysis paints a rather bleak picture about the situation of the Austrian banking industry.
March 8, 2013
Austria: RZB About to Take Over Assets of VBAG?
The possible takeover by RZB is still kept in the dark. RBI, however, might absorb Citibank Romania.
March 8, 2013
Austria: Less Money in Foreign Currency Credits
The volume of foreign currency loans has decreased further at the end of 2012.
March 7, 2013
Austria: Hypo Managing Board Warns of Losses
Hypo Group’s managers fear that selling the bank precipitately might lead to additional losses up to € 5bn for the bank and federal state.
March 7, 2013
Austria: Elsner Files Lawsuit in US Supreme Court
Former BAWAG CEO Helmut Elsner filed a lawsuit over $ 1.8bn against members of the Austrian Social Democrat party (SPÖ).
March 7, 2013
Hungary: Percentage of Foreign Direct Investments in Decline
Foreign Direct Investments in 2012 was 5.2 % less than in 2011. According to the statistical central office in Hungary (KSH), the drop in the last quarter showed even -7.9 %. Massive declines in almost all sectors.
March 4, 2013
Austrian Construction Group Alpine Rescued
For the time being, Alpine´s bankruptcy could be prevented. The creditors agreed on a partial waiver.
March 4, 2013
“I do not expect for crediting requirements to tighten”
There is no reason for crediting requirements to be tightened, Zoran Stavreski, Macedonia´s Minister of Finance says.
March 4, 2013
BayernLB Rejects Settlement with Hypo Group
The German banking group and its former Austrian subsidiary do not reach a compromise. BayernLB wants Hypo Group to repay a loan of € 2.3bn.
March 2, 2013
Romania As Risk Factor for Austria´s Public Finance
The partly nationalized Austrian banking group VBAG faces difficulties in Romania. The Austrian Ministry of Finance tries to prevent further capital injections into VBAG.
March 2, 2013
Lithuanian Banking Sector: Lending Up, Profitability Down
Over the past year, the assets of banks operating in the country and branches of foreign banks decreased.
March 2, 2013
Alpine: Austrian Ministry of Finance Rejects Waiver
Although the banks reached an agreement, the restructuring of the Austrian construction group may collapse.
March 1, 2013
Alpine: Future Still Highly Uncertain
Today, Alpine´s creditors decide whether the financially stricken construction company will be restructured.
February 28, 2013
Fekter Pleased with New Banking Regulations
Austrian Minister of Finance: "Agreement stabilizes banking sector, protects taxpayers and strengthens Austrian SMEs".
February 28, 2013
Austrian Private Banking Market Consolidates
Bank Austria Private Banking sees itself as benefiting from this development. “The idea of security in asset management must constantly be redefined. Investors will have to accept more risk.” Bank Austria says.
February 28, 2013
Erste Group: Profit Higher than Expected
The Austrian bank posts a net profit of EUR 483.5 million in 2012.
February 28, 2013
Erste Group: High Losses Ahead
Analysts believe that the Austrian bank record substantial losses in the fourth quarter of 2012.
February 26, 2013
Bank Austria Plans Radical Reduction of Branches
The biggest Austrian bank wants to reduce the number of branches from 350 to 250 in the next two years.
February 22, 2013
VBAG: Major Losses in Romania
The Romanian subsidiary of Austrian VBAG suffers from non-performing loan. Last year proved to be again a difficult one for the Romanian banking system, Raiffeisen Research states.
February 21, 2013
RBI: Profits Declining Significantly
Raiffeisen Bank International posts consolidated profit of € 725 million in 2012.Significantly strengthened core tier 1 ratio of 10.7 per cent
February 20, 2013
Sberbank Threatens to Sue VBAG
Last year, VBAG has sold VBI (Volksbank International) to Russian Sberbank. Now, Sberbank is highly dissatisfied with the performance of VBI.
February 19, 2013
“Sale of Kommunalkredit Will Take Some Time”
Ewald Nowotny, governor of Austrian National Bank, believes that the sale of the nationalized Austrian banking group will take some years.
February 18, 2013
NBU: “Banking Industry Shows an Upward Trend”
Mr. Oleksii Tkachenko, Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, believes that overall 2012 was a successful year for the domestic banking industry.
February 18, 2013
