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Vienna International Banking Industry News
Read the latest headlines about developments in the international banking industry in Vienna and Austria


Czech Banking Sector Strongly Influenced by Foreign Banks

The EBRD has published the “Banking Environment Performance Survey”. Foreign parent banks exert a strong influence on their subsidiaries.
November 9, 2013


Poland: Solid Banking Sector

According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the perceived regulation pressure is too high for Poland´s banking sector.
November 9, 2013


BNP Shows Interest in Taking Over Polish BGZ

In the race for the Polish lender BGZ, the biggest French bank BNP Paribas enters the stage.
November 8, 2013


Albania: Domestic Banks Struggling to Keep Up

According to a report by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Albanian financial sector is dominated by foreign banks. Domestic banks are struggling to keep up with the internationally operating competition.
November 8, 2013


Interest Rate Cut: “Very Effective Property Tax“

Economists have judged the ECB’s cut in interest rate differently. According to Brezinschek, chief analyst at Raiffeisen International, savers that are not involved in speculative investments will not benefit from the latest key rate cut.
November 8, 2013


Serbia: Key Policy Rate Cut to 10 Percent

In its meeting on November 7, the NBS Executive Board voted to cut the key policy rate by half a percentage point, to 10 percent.
November 8, 2013


Bulgaria: Finance Ministry Approves Schuldschein Loan

In order to close the Bulgarian budget deficit gap, the Finance Ministry has decided to take out a Schuldschein loan in the amount of € 360m.
November 8, 2013


Czech Republic: Economic Outlook Improves

In its latest forecast, the Czech National Bank (CNB) has corrected the outlook on the Czech economy upward for the rest of 2013 while estimates for 2014 were slightly downgraded.
November 8, 2013


Komercni Banka Posts Lower Net income

Today, Czech Komercni Banka published the third quarter results. Lending was up by 2.9%, deposits grew by 4.8%. Net income was down by 7.75.
November 7, 2013


Eurozone: Key Rate At Record Low

Low inflation was reason for ECB to lower key rate again by 0.25 percent.
November 7, 2013


Austrian Banks Forced to Prepare in Case of Bankruptcy

From 2014 on, the Austrian Banks are required to start planning the emergency scenario in case of a liquidation in order to be able and react more quickly.
November 7, 2013


Slovenia: Ten Banks under Stress Test

In addition to the country’s three major banks, NLB, NKBM and Abanka Vipa, seven other banks are concerned by the bank stress test.
November 7, 2013


ECB to Keep Interest Rate Low

Despite a low inflation, the European Central Bank (ECB) will keep the interest rate low. The Council of ECB has held a meeting on Thursday morning
November 7, 2013


Slovenia Liquidates Two Banks

The Slovenian National Bank has approved a plan for the liquidation of Factor banka and Probanka. The capital shortfall will reach about 400m, according to estimations.
November 7, 2013


Bawag Denies Circulated Job Cuts

According to media reports, the Austrian bank plans radical job cuts in 2014. Bawag´s management stressed that the rumors are untrue.
November 7, 2013


Romania: Key Rate Cut Again

The most recent cut was the fourth in a row since the beginning of July. Experts forecast the rate cutting cycle to stop in the first quarter next year when the country’s key rate is supposed to stand at 3.5 percent.
November 6, 2013


Leitl Rejects Further Bank Taxes

Christoph Leitl, president of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO), rejects the Finance Ministry’s plan to impose further taxes on Austrian banks in order to decrease public debts.
November 6, 2013


Banking Sector Reduces Lending

Instead of offering loans to the corporate sector, banks tend to invest in sovereign bonds. The CESEE region is particularly affected by this.
November 6, 2013


Bulgaria: Banks Have More Assets at Disposal

With more money available, banks in Bulgaria are now able to grant more loans.
November 6, 2013


Austria: New Austerity Package to Come?

Austrian economists expect that the new government will draft another austerity package. Otherwise the fiscal objectives will not be achieved.
November 6, 2013


Banking Sector: Difficulties in Croatia Ahead

In order to protect indebted home-owners, the Croat parliament will resolve a new bank act. Like in Hungary, foreign-exchange-based mortgage should be converted at the expense of banks.
November 6, 2013


Hungary: Parliament Resolves Bank Act

The Hungarian banking sector, which is dominated by Austrian banks, faces new difficulties.
November 5, 2013


Bawag Faces Radical Job Cuts

The Austrian bank implements fierce austerity measures. About a fifth of the jobs may be cut.
November 5, 2013


Austria: Compulsory Levy on Assets Simply “Out of Question“

Top bankers and economists in Austria consider the compulsory levy of ten percent on household assets “out of question” and “ludicrous”.
November 5, 2013


Analysis - Vienna Stock Exchange on a “Sustainable Upward Trend”

After five downhill years, the Vienna Stock Exchange is finally seeing something like a silver lining.
October 30, 2013 · Updated: November 5, 2013; 18:00


Bawag Investor Cerberus to Leave?

Rumors have it that US fund Cerberus will sell his share in Austrian bank Bawag. According to head of Bawag, Byron Haynes, a selling process has not yet begun.
October 31, 2013 · Updated: November 5, 2013; 17:30


Hypo Group: Restraining Effect on Budget Consolidation

According to the EU’s autumn prognosis, nationalized Hypo Group and its liabilities running in the billions still have a restraining effect on the Austrian budget consolidation.
November 5, 2013


Number of Banks Shrinks Substantially

Since 2008, about 10% of the banks had to be closed in the Eurozone. In the last five years, 16,200 bank shops were shut down. In Austria, the situation is almost the same.
November 5, 2013


Austrian Banks Demand Cut in Bank Levy

Major banks in Austria demand tax reliefs in return for a participation in Hypo Group Alpe Adria’s bad bank.
November 5, 2013


CESEE Region: Booming Exports Prevent Recession

The underlying reason for the improving economic sentiment in the CESEE region is the expanding industrial sector. However, the region remains vulnerable to foreign trade and foreign investments.
November 5, 2013


Serbia: FDI as Driver for Economy

Further decline in FDI could affect economic growth in the Western Balkan state. The Serbian government announced to push forward with amendmends to improve business environment and boost economic growth.
November 4, 2013


IMF Wants to Introduce Compulsory Tax

IMF’s idea of introducing a compulsory tax on household assets could decrease state debt earns harsh criticism. Economists reject the idea.
November 4, 2013


Hungary: Another Bad Surprise for Banks

The Hungarian government plans to shift even more burdens to the banking sector. Costs for the banking sector will reach more than € 3.5bn.
November 4, 2013


Czech Budget Deficit to Remain Below Approved Mark

The budget deficit in the Czech Republic increased to CZK 47.7bn in October from CZK 38.2bn in September.
November 4, 2013


Austria: Liquidation No Option for Hypo Group

Nationalized-by force Hypo Group Alpe Adria, which is struggling under liabilities running in the billions, will not be closed. OeNB rejects rumors about establishing a bad bank
November 4, 2013


Industrial Sector: Growth Painfully Slow

According to a survey by research institute Markit, industrial production in the Eurozone increased in October for the fourth time in a row. However, the rate of growth is still low.
November 4, 2013


Slovenia: Highest Contribution of GDP to ESM

As reported by Slovenia Times, the country has spent 2.8 percent of GDP for the Euro Stability Mechanism (ESM) last year.
November 4, 2013


Boost for Municipal Infrastructure in the Western Balkans

EBRD and KfW launch new €100 million fund
November 4, 2013


Slovenia´s Government Hopes for More FDI

In order to promote more foreign direct investments, Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek plans to hold investment conferences across Europe.
November 1, 2013


Slovenia: Banking Act Approved

The Slovenian Parliament has voted for an amendment of the banking act. It is still unclear whether Slovenia is able to recapitalize the banking sector sufficiently.
November 1, 2013


Czech Republic: Consumer Loans Weaken

The Czech loan growth is mainly driven by housing loans. The overal loan structure is improving, the NPL level remains flat.
November 1, 2013


Slovak Banking Industry Records Growing Net Income

In the first nine months of 2013, Slovakia´s banking sector recorded a total net profit of € 449m.
November 1, 2013


RBI: Rothensteiner Opposed Payout Block

The head of the Raiffeisen Centrobank and Chairman of RBI’s (Raiffeisen Bank International) supvervisory board Walter Rothensteiner is critical of a capital increase by a payout block.
October 31, 2013


Banks Jeopardize Austrian Triple-A Rating

In case further aids will become imminent, Austria could lose its rating.
October 31, 2013


Austria: Saving Quota Down

At the moment, the savings ratio only comes at 5.2%. An increasing number of Austrians suffer from a declining real income.
October 31, 2013


Hypo Group to be Renamed after Sale

After the closing of the sale future owner of Hypo Group Alpe Adria Sanjeev Kanoria from the UK with Indian origins intends to rename Hypo Group.
October 31, 2013


World Bank: Croatia Showing Progress

Despite notable progress the country slipped back to beigt 89th out of 185 countries in the ranking “Doing Business” by the World Bank.
October 31, 2013


Higher Cost Pressure for Austrian Banking Industry

Due to national and international regulations, Austrian banks have to bear higher costs than their foreign competitors.
October 31, 2013


Czech Banking Industry Is “Healthy”

According to the Czech banking association (CBA), the Czech banks are well equipped with capital.
October 31, 2013


Czech Republic: Stock Exchange Reacts to Election Results

After the general elections the Prague Stock Exchange (BCPP) grew significantly since corporate taxes, as threatened by the policymakers, will not be introduced.
October 30, 2013