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Vienna International Banking Industry News
Read the latest headlines about developments in the international banking industry in Vienna and Austria
Bank Taxes: „Job Cuts or Price Increase”
According to Michael Ikrath, bank representative of the “Sparkassen”, the new charges for Austrian banks are the highest in Europe.
January 17, 2011
Treichl: Massive Criticism on Austrian Government
Andreas Treichl, CEO of Erste Group criticizes the Austrian Government for its fiscal and structural policy. 2011 would be the last chance for reforms.
January 16, 2011
Austria's Funds Showed a Plus in 2010
2010 was another year of gains for Austrian funds: of 1601 funds, 1464, showed a positive performance.
January 15, 2011
Bank Austria Increases its CA-Immo Stake
The UniCredit-subsidiary intends to acquire a major stake of the Austrian real estate company CA Immo.
January 15, 2011
Investment Inhibition in Austrian Companies
The investment situation of Austrian companies is analyzed in the liquidity situation report by PwC. There are still frictions present on the capital market.
January 14, 2011
Customer Growth for Construction Savings Bank ABV
In 2010, the Austrian construction savings bank ABV granted building loans for € 287m.
January 14, 2011
Bank Austria Bids for Bank of Moscow
The UniCredit subsidiary is reported as holding talks with the Bank of Moscow to acquire a 46.5% stake.
January 14, 2011
Bawag and Post Share 520 Branches
Investments in the common branch network of the Austrian Post and the U.S. fund Cerberus owned Bawag are running.
January 14, 2011
Austria Savers Remain Conservative
Saving behavior in Austria remains unchanged with a high degree of popularity of traditional building savings plans and bank savings accounts.
January 13, 2011
CEE: Raiffeisen Remains Optimistic
The analysts of the Austrian Raiffeisen International Bank give Austria and the CEE good growth prospects. However, there still remain known risks.
January 12, 2011
New Controversy over the Hypo Group
According to the investigators, there would be no connection between the Austrian bank and Gribkowsky, the former member of the board of BayernLB
January 10, 2011
Polbank: Imminent Decision
The decision for the sales process of Polbank will be announced in the next few days, according to the parent company EFG Eurobank.
January 10, 2011
Volksbanken Profitable Again
The Austrian Volksbanken Group generated profits in 2010. The state’s money should be repaid this year.
January 7, 2011
Demands for Financial Transactions Tax
The Chairman of the Austrian Provincial Governors’ Conference, Josef Pühringer, demands the introduction of a pan-European financial transactions tax.
January 7, 2011
Suspicion on Money-Laundering at Hypo Group
Money transfers between the Carinthian Bank, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the Caribbean are currently being checked extensively by the judiciary.
January 7, 2011
Former Member of the Board of BayernLB Arrested
Gerhard Gribkowsky, whose foundation in Austria was concealed to the German judiciary and is now known, is in custody
January 5, 2011
FMA Prohibits Speculative Elements in Savings Accounts
The Austrian Financial Market Authority FMA specifies the characteristics of savings certificates. The traditional savings account is to remain non-speculative
January 5, 2011
Bank Tax in Poland?
The Polish government is considering levying taxes on banks already in 2011. From the Austrian perspective, Raiffeisen Bank International would be affected.
January 5, 2011
CEE Stocks to Climb by 20% in 2011
Erste Group analysts recommend: stock picking rather than sector allocation. 2011 to be a positive year for equity investments.
January 5, 2011
MEL: Demand for Higher Quota against Meinl
A lawyer representing the investors calls for an increase of the quota on the occasion of the compromise between Meinl Bank and former MEL investors from 35% to 70%.
January 5, 2011
Hypo Group: Little Enlightment Expected from Grasser and Berlin
The Chairman of the Inquiry Committee on the Hypo Group expects little gain of information by the summons of Karl-Heinz Grasser and Tilo Berlin.
January 4, 2011
Wolf Theiss Starts Advice For Basel III
In response to the challenges presented by Basel III, the Austrian consulting company has formed a special "Basel III Task Force".
January 4, 2011
Secret Foundation of BayernLB in Austria
In the hearings on the purchase of Austria's Hypo Group, a former Member of the Board of BayernLB concealed the existence of a foundation in Austria.
January 3, 2011
RLB OÖ Records Substantial Growth
Raiffeisenlandesbank Oberösterreich experiences a 11.8% increase in operating profits. Cost-Income ratio further decreases.
December 31, 2010
VBI Romania is a Source of Worries for ÖVAG
Volksbank International (VBI) is to be sold by the Austrian Volksbanken Group. The Romanian subsidiary keeps the group from doing so.
December 31, 2010
Kovats also Suffers Private Plight
The chairman of the insolvent A-Tec, Mirko Kovats, has to grant Raiffeisen liens on his personal properties
December 31, 2010
ÖVAG: Sales Process of East-holding is Under Way
For the coming year, the Austrian Voksbanken are planning to restructure the Group. A buyer is currently being sought for the East-holding.
December 30, 2010
Meinl Starts New Actions against Atrium
The exchange of blows between Meinl Bank and Atrium is getting more violent. Meinl Bank is presently filing a claim before the Arbitration Court of the Economic Chamber.
December 29, 2010
Bank Austria CEO Cernko: Austrian Banks Fight Securities Tax
The CEO of Bank Austria, Willibald Cernko, was interviewed by the newspaper “Kurier”. He announced that Austrian Banks will call the Constitutional Court.
December 29, 2010
Profits Increase for Banks in Austria
The profitability in the first three quarters of 2010 of Austrian banks shows continued strong growth.
December 29, 2010
Meinl Bank Shows Losses
Due to the elimination of investments, Meinl Bank slips into the red zone. The loss amounts to € 37m.
December 28, 2010
Sanader Remains in Extradition Custody
Custody prior to extradition was imposed on the former Croatian Prime Minister Sanader. He complains about the "arbitrariness of the Croatian authorities".
December 28, 2010
HTI Gets New Financing Structure
The stock exchange listed automobile supplier HTI ends its moratorium. Of € 140m original debts, € 104m are left.
December 27, 2010
Higher Bank Tax for Bank Austria
The UniCredit-subsidiary Bank Austria will have to pay a bigger amount of the bank tax in 2011. The contribution in the following year decreases.
December 27, 2010
Investigations Against Sanader Continue
The investigation of Austrian and Croatian authorities against the former Prime Minister of Croatia in the Hypo affair are being intensified. Many questions remain unanswered.
December 23, 2010
Raiffeisen Negotiates over Polbank
The Austrian Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) negotiates actively for the Polish Polbank.
December 23, 2010
Hypo Group: Sanader Denies Payments of Commissions
The former Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, questioned in Salzburg, denies having ever received money from the Hypo Group.
December 22, 2010
Urgent Need for Capital at Austrian Banks
Walter Rothensteiner, Chairman of RZB as well as the Credit Division of the Economic Chamber, considers that domestic banks are under massive capital pressure.
December 21, 2010
Bank Austria-Fund “Real Invest Europe” Opens as from 21 December 2010
Revaluation of property portfolio complete. Commercial property in Stuttgart sold at market price.
December 21, 2010
Meinl against Atrium: Up to 7,000 Lawsuits
The Austrian bank files lawsuits against the successor company of her former real-estate funds MEL.
December 20, 2010
Accusations Against Sanader Grow Stronger
Many clues point to improper activities by former Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader in connection with the Hypo Group.
December 16, 2010
Russia Reaches for Volksbank International
VBI, the holding company for the Eastern interests of the Österreichischen Volksbanken, is for sale. Russian parties are interested.
December 15, 2010
OeNB: Recovery of the Financial System in a Persistently Uncertain Environment
The OeNB considers that domestic banks benefit from the positive development in the CEE region. However, uncertainties stay on as before.
December 15, 2010
New Head for Bank Austria´s CEE Division
Gianni Franco Papa designated to head Bank Austria’s CEE operations. The experienced manager is responsible for the Group’s planned growth.
December 15, 2010
Complaint of Unconstitutionality against Securities Capital Gains Tax
Austria banks and investment companies file a complaint before the Constitutional Court against the as of next year introduced tax on securities capital gains.
December 14, 2010
Madoff Affair: Accused Defend Themselves
The accused Sonja Kohn and Stefan Zapotocky defend themselves vehemently against accusations and allegations. Both are, according to the accusation, part of the Madoff system.
December 14, 2010
Demands against the Hypo Group Amount up to € 300m
The investigation team appointed for the Hypo Group has determined property damages for over 300m. This amount is the basis for eventual claims.
December 14, 2010
Extensive Refinancing Needs by Austrian Banks
Due to the maturity of large loan volumes, Austria's banks will need at least € 20bn next year.
December 14, 2010
Contradictions about Sanader's Connection to Carinthia
The connection between the former Croatian Prime Minister Sanader and the Carinthian Hypo Group is multifaceted, but also full of contradictions.
December 14, 2010
Government Support for the Hypo Group
The Hypo Group is still far away the end of restructuring. Losses between € 700m and € 900m are expected for this year. The state gives a guarantee for 500m.
December 13, 2010
