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        Vienna International Banking Industry News
Read the latest headlines about developments in the international banking industry in Vienna and Austria
          
    
        „We Were Cheated by BayernLB“
      
      Hannes Androsch, head of the Hypo Group task force, thinks that the former Austrian government has made serious mistakes.
                                  February 13, 2014                                        
    
    
        RBI Raises Another € 500m
      
      After the capital increase, the Vienna-listed lender has raised capital in the amount of € 500m. The emission was significantly oversubscribed.
                                  February 13, 2014                                        
    
    
        IHS Rejects Hypo Group’s Bankruptcy
      
      According to Keuschnig, it is also a question about a “national bankruptcy“.
                                  February 13, 2014                                        
    
    
        Improving Situation in Slovenia
      
      Banka Slovenije points out that the finance industry was negatively affected by provisions and write-offs. However, the situation seems to be improving.
                                  February 13, 2014                                        
    
    
        Austria: RBI to Pay Back State Capital in March
      
      € 1.75bn in state aid will be transferred around March 15 if the Financial Market Authority agrees to the repayment.
                                  February 13, 2014                                        
    
    
        Spindelegger: “Hypo Already Burdened Budget in Past”
      
      The government has still not yet published figures in regard to the current fiscal burden emerging from the winding-up of problem bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria.
                                  February 13, 2014                                        
    
    
        Singer: “Forex Interventions Were Right Measures”
      
      Miroslav Singer, Governor of the Czech National Bank (CNB), considers the forex intervention and the weakening of the Czech Crown as the right measures in the light of the most recent inflation figures.
                                  February 13, 2014                                        
    
    
        Banks Lose Credibility and Trust
      
      A survey reveals the fear of financial institutes enriching themselves at the expense of of private persons is widely spread.
                                  February 12, 2014                                        
    
    
        Poland: Consumer Loans Expected to Rise Significantly
      
      Last year consumer loans saw a 16 percent growth which leads to expecations that Poland will register a double-digit growth rate in 2014 as well.
                                  February 12, 2014                                        
    
    
        Hypo Group: Emergency Sitting in National Assembley Fixed
      
      An extraordinary session in the National Assembley will take place next Monday in regard to Hypo Group Alpe Adria.
                                  February 12, 2014                                        
    
    
        Cernko: Wealthy to Support R&D in Austria
      
      The CEO of Bank Austria calls upon the Austrian government to take into consideration the funding of research and development by wealthy individuals and regard this as part of their “tax duty”.
                                  February 12, 2014                                        
    
    
        Challenging Business Environment for Croatian Banks
      
      Last year profits of Croatian banks declined more than 73 percent.
                                  February 12, 2014                                        
    
    
        Hypo Group: Bad Bank Active at Least 10 Years
      
      Austria’s rating by Standard & Poor’s (“AA+”, stable outlook) is currently not compromised. Because of the establishing of the bad bank the debt rate will rise four to six percent.
                                  February 12, 2014                                        
    
    
        Erste Group: Net Results Below Expectations
      
      Erste Group provides business update for 2013: Improvement in risk costs is outweighed by one-off items and tax effects, impacting net profit
                                  February 11, 2014                                        
    
    
        Hypo-Disaster: Harsh Criticism from Opposition
      
      The opposition parties have expressed their unanimous criticism about the government failing to come to a joint decision with the Austrian banks and consequently forwarding all costs to the taxpayers.
                                  February 11, 2014                                        
    
    
        Ukraine: Tough Market for Foreign Banks
      
      The coming two years will be challenging for foreign banks operating in Ukraine.
                                  February 11, 2014                                        
    
    
        RBI: Capital Increase Successfully Completed
      
      RBI capital increase confirms excellent environment for raising capital on the Vienna Stock Exchange.
                                  February 11, 2014                                        
    
    
        Austria: Hypo Group Becomes Fiasco for Taxpayers
      
      The most expensive solution for the winding up of troubled Hypo Group becomes imminent.
                                  February 11, 2014                                        
    
    
        Bawag: Losses for Cerberus Running into Billions
      
      There are persistent rumors that the U.S. investor may leave the Austrian bank. For Cerberus, Bawag is a disaster.
                                  February 11, 2014                                        
    
    
        Austria: Bank Participation for Hypo Off
      
      A participation model with Austrian banks can be ruled out for ailing Hypo Group. Instead, a more expensive version will be applied.
                                  February 10, 2014                                        
    
    
        FMA: Hypo Group Bankruptcy Incalculable Risk
      
      The government does not dismiss the idea of a bankruptcy of ailing Hypo Alpe Adria. However, the Financial Market Authority (FMA) has expressly warned of this form of downsizing of the state bank.
                                  February 10, 2014                                        
    
    
        Ukraine: RBI Examines Offers
      
      Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) has received a total of twelve offers for its Ukranian affiliate.
                                  February 10, 2014                                        
    
    
        Serbia: Inflation Requires New IMF Agreement
      
      In the light of a devaluation of the Dinar Serbia needs a new agreement with the IMF to improve funding and accelerate the realization of reforms.
                                  February 10, 2014                                        
    
    
        Poland: Slight Drop in 2013 Banks’ Profits
      
      Polish banks displayed a total net profit of PLN 15.43 billion in the financial year 2013, which is a slight decrease of 0.3 percent on an annual comparison basis.
                                  February 10, 2014                                        
    
    
        Spindelegger Insists on Austrian Bank Secret
      
      On Friday the Finance Ministry confirmed to the Austrian Press Agency (APA) that there is “momentum in the field” in regard to disclosure of information about bank accounts of foreigners.
                                  February 10, 2014                                        
    
    
        Hypo Group Alpe Adria: The War of Nerves Has Begun
      
      The Austrian government puts enormous pressure on the Austrian banking sector and does not exclude Hypo Group´s orderly bankruptcy anymore. The Austrian banking sector insistently warns of this option.
                                  February 9, 2014           · Updated: February 9, 2014; 23:41                              
    
    
        Hypo Group Alpe Adria: Sevelda Rejects „Joint Bad Bank“
      
      Karl Sevelda, CEO of Vienna-listed RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International), does not want to become shareholder of the common bad bank for the nationalized lender Hypo Group Alpe Adria.
                                  February 9, 2014                                        
    
    
        ECB Wants to Supervise All Banks
      
      For the European Central Bank, the current authority does not go far enough. The ECB wants to control all 6,600 banks in the Eurozone.
                                  February 8, 2014                                        
    
    
        Sale of Bad Assets: UniCredit Under Pressure
      
      The parent company of Bank Austria, the Italian lender UniCredit, wants to sell its risky assets as soon as possible. Insiders report that UniCredit wants to sell its “bad bank”.
                                  February 8, 2014           · Updated: February 8, 2014; 14:12                              
    
    
        Hypo Group Alpe Adria: Extreme Burden for Austrian State Budget Ahead
      
      The bad news about the nationalized Balkan lender do not break up. In 2014, the Austrian problem bank may cause costs in the amount of € 9bn.
                                  February 7, 2014                                        
    
    
        Hungary: Why Orban Faces Another Victory
      
      At the beginning of April, Hungary will hold elections. Despite a high level of dissatisfaction and political frustration, there will be no government change.
                                  February 7, 2014           · Updated: February 7, 2014; 17:59                              
    
    
        FHB Bank Acquires Stake in Takarek Bank
      
      The largest Hungarian mortgage bank becomes a core shareholder of the Hungarian savings bank Takarek Bank. Takarekbank is an umbrella bank for the Hungarian savings bank sector.
                                  February 7, 2014                                        
    
    
        Hyp Group Alpe Adria: “No Unnecessary Bankruptcy”
      
      Klaus Liebscher, president of Hypo Group´s supervisory board, points out that Hypo Group´s bankruptcy would involve enormous risks. The Austrian government remains conspicuously calm.
                                  February 7, 2014                                        
    
    
        Austrian Bad Bank Received Further State Aid
      
      The Austrian Ministry of Finance injected € 150m into KA Finanz, the bad bank of the publicly held Kommunalkredit.
                                  February 6, 2014                                        
    
    
        Hypo Group Alpe Adria: Harsh Criticism on Austrian Government
      
      The Austrian opposition blames the government for concealing the biggest financial disaster in Austria´s history. Governor of the Austrian National Bank Ewald Nowotny is under fire too.
                                  February 6, 2014                                        
    
    
        Fitch Criticizes European Stress Tests
      
      The rating agency argues that there is still a lack in technical details. Regarding the robustness of the stress tests, Fitch demonstrates skepticism.
                                  February 6, 2014                                        
    
    
        Hypo Group Alpe Adria: Bankruptcy Would Affect Foreign Investors
      
      In case of an unorderly insolvency of the Austrian nationalized lender, not only Austrian creditors would have to absorb losses. The majority of the bondholders are German and Swiss investors.
                                  February 6, 2014                                        
    
    
        Austrian National Bank: Hypo Bankruptcy Would Cost € 24bn
      
      The nationalized Balkan lender Hypo Group Alpe Adria causes major difficulties. Although the bankruptcy would be the cheapest option for Austrian taxpayers, the Austrian National Bank tries to prevent this scenario by all means.
                                  February 5, 2014                                        
    
    
        Hypo Group Alpe Adria: Fitch Recommends “Joint Bad Bank”
      
      According to the rating agency, the best alternative is a joint solution between the Austrian state and privately held banks. In return, the bank levy should be reduced, Fitch says.
                                  February 5, 2014                                        
    
    
        Raiffeisen Bank International: Moody´s Downgrades Ukrainian Subsidiary
      
      Due to the political instability, the U.S. rating agency lowers the rating of Aval Bank, the Ukrainian affiliate of Austrian RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International).
                                  February 5, 2014                                        
    
    
        “Hypo Group Bankruptcy Would Affect RBI Adversely“
      
      According to the Vienna-based Raiffeisen Bank International, both a joint bad bank and Hypo Group´s insolvency have negative consequences on RBI´s share.
                                  February 5, 2014                                        
    
    
        Poland: Sixteen Banks to be Examined by EBA
      
      In total, sixteen Polish banks will participate in the stress tests carried out by the European Banking Authority.
                                  February 4, 2014                                        
    
    
        Austrian Government Does Not Rule Out Hypo Group´s Bankruptcy Anymore (2/2)
      
      In the past few weeks, the Austrian government and the Austrian National Bank excluded this alternative categorically. Now, the bankruptcy scenario seems to be an option again.
                                  February 4, 2014                                        
    
    
        Austrian Government Does Not Rule Out Hypo Group´s Bankruptcy Anymore (1/2)
      
      In the past few weeks, the Austrian government and the Austrian National Bank excluded this alternative categorically. Now, the bankruptcy scenario seems to be an option again.
                                  February 4, 2014                                        
    
    
        Santander on Circulated Sales Talks: „No Comment“
      
      As reported by Vindobona, Spanish Banco Santander is said to be interest in taking over the fifth largest Austrian lender Bawag. Bawag´s management remains silent on this matter.
                                  February 4, 2014                                        
    
    
        „Hungary and Austria Must not Become Enemies“
      
      Ewald Nowotny, governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) wants a solution between the Hungarian government and the Austrian banking sector.
                                  February 4, 2014                                        
    
    
        Hypo Group: Calls for Bankruptcy Become Louder
      
      The Austrian government wants to prevent the bankruptcy of the nationalized lender Hypo Group Alpe Adria. However, there are better arguments for an orderly insolvency.
                                  February 3, 2014                                        
    
    
        Serbia: First License Withdrawal of Private Bank
      
      For the first time in the Serbian history, a privately held bank loses its license.
                                  February 3, 2014                                        
    
    
        Santander Interested in Bawag?
      
      The Spanish Banco Santander is said to be interested in Bawag, the German daily “Handelsblatt” reports.
                                  February 3, 2014                                        
    
    
        „We Must Watch CESEE Very Carefully“
      
      In an interview with the Austrian daily „Standard“, board member of Österreichische Kontrollbank AG Angelika Sommer-Hemetsberger said that the economic crisis in CESEE is not over yet.
                                  February 3, 2014                                        
    
      
    