Vienna International Banking Industry News
Read the latest headlines about developments in the international banking industry in Vienna and Austria
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
Austrian Industrial Sector Gaining Stability
The upwards trend in Austrian industry picked up pace in October. Highest survey reading for two years signals clear pick-up of industrial activity
October 30, 2013
Slovenia: Parliament Approves Amendmends to Banking Act
Measures were taken to reduce costs for winding up of two small Slovenian banks.
October 30, 2013
Cernko: Bank Shops in Austria Have to Be Reduced
In spite of the banks’ progresses Austria still has a high densitiy in bank branches.
October 30, 2013
Erste Group Expects Operating Result to Decline Significantly in 2013
Erste Group posts net profit of EUR 430.3 million in the first nine months of 2013; risk costs decline.
October 30, 2013
Austrian Banking Sector: NPL at Eurozone´s Top
In the Eurozone, the non-performing loans are still growing. In total, 7.8% of the loan portfolio is risky. Austrian banks are significantly above the average.
October 30, 2013
Czech Republic: Monetary Easening Not an Option for CNB
Improper exit policy could cause currency swings or inflation, according to expert.
October 29, 2013
IMF on Slovenia: “Cleaning Up Banks is the Priority”
The IMF urges Slovenia to restructure its ailing banking sector. Slovenia faces expensive bank aid-programs.
October 29, 2013
BGZ: Santander Aims to Expand into Poland
In order to complete its local affiliate Bank Zachodni WBK, Spanish Santander intends to take over the Polish lender BGZ.
October 29, 2013
Greek Banks Want to Leave Western Balkans
According to “Kathimerini”, the exit of Greek banks froms the Western Balkan region is a difficult undertaking.
October 29, 2013
Serbia: Privredna Banka to Face Bankruptcy Proceedings
National Bank of Serbia annuls the operating license from Privredna banka. Bankruptcy proceedings are ahead.
October 29, 2013
Hungary: Conflict with Banks Sharpens
Hungary´s Minister of Finance Mihaly Varga rejects the proposal submitted by the banking association.
October 29, 2013
Germany: Proceedings against Take-Over of Hypo Group to Start
On Thursday the Higher Regional Court in Munich has decided to admit the prosecution against the take-over of Hypo Group Alpe Adria, which had earlier been rejected by the Regional Court as implausible.
October 28, 2013
Albania Fighting NPLs
The Bank of Albania discusses introducing a policy for reducing non-performing loans and enhance lending.
October 28, 2013
Slovenia: Bailout Comes Closer
The ailing country is not expected to manage the financial crisis on its own. Calling for support from Brussels seems to be the last remaining alternative.
October 28, 2013
Hypo Group to Create Bad Bank
After months of considerations, the Austrian government will decide for the bad bank. The nationalized banking group will be a major burden for the state.
October 26, 2013
Bank Asset Review: Slovenia´s Government Satisfied
According to Slovenia´s Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek, Slovenia´s government has received full support for the bank asset review. ECB´s point of view is more critical, however.
October 26, 2013
Record Profit at Zachodni Bank
The third-largest Polish lender has published the results for the third quarter. Net results are well above the estimates.
October 25, 2013
Hypo Group: Worst Expectations May be Exceeded
For the Austrian state, the ailing nationalized banking group may become a financial GSA. The legal dispute with the former owner BayernLB bears enormous dangers for Austria´s public finance.
October 25, 2013
Slovenia: NPC Increase to Above 17 Percent
The percentage of NPCs increased from 16.3 percent in June to 17.1 percent in July 2013.
October 25, 2013
Albania: World Bank Satisfied with Progress
Piero Cipollone, Executive Director of the World Bank Group visited Albania from October 21-22, 2013. In his role as Executive Director, he represents Albania’s interests as a shareholder on the World Bank’s Board.
October 25, 2013
EU Summit Calls for Finalization of Joint Guidelines for ESM
The EU Summit presses for faster changes to achieve the aim of a banking union.
October 25, 2013
Romania: Precautionary Financial Assistance Approved
The Council of the European Union has approved a new precautionary financial assistance program for Romania in extend of € 2bn in connection with a loan by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
October 25, 2013
Austria to Remain at AA+
Austria has not yet been given back Standard & Poor’s Triple A.
October 25, 2013
“We Need to Pull Down the Iron Curtain in Our Heads“
In an interview with Austrian daily “WirtschaftsBlatt“ Johannes Seiringer, Director of the Austrian office of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) calls for incentives for enterprises to continue investing in CEE.
October 24, 2013
RBI Discussing New Ways of Global Banking Regulations
RBI welcomes global finance at the ICC Banking Commission Meeting 2013.
October 24, 2013
Czech Republic: Four Banks too Big to Fail
CNB has determined four domestic banks that could potentially endanger the country’s financial system in case of bankruptcy, as reported by daily “Hospodarske noviny” (HN).
October 24, 2013
Serbia: Komercijalna Banka Supported by EFSE
Serbian Komercijalna Banka received a credit line of € 20m from the European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE).
October 24, 2013
ECB: “Uniform Assessment for Banks Important Step for Europe”
Assessment of ECB is an important step in the preparation of the single supervisory mechanism.
October 24, 2013
Polish Holding to Take over Romanian International Bank
According to Mediafax newswire, Polish Getin Holding will take over Romanian International Bank (RIB).
October 24, 2013
Stress Tests: Austrian Banks Demonstrate Optimism
Austrian banks are expected to pass the stress tests. However, the next years are expected to become challenging for the Austrian banking sector.
October 23, 2013
Czech Republic: Singer Nominated Central Bank Govenor of the Year
Miroslav Singer, govenor of the Czech National Bank (CNB) won the Central Bank Govenor of the Year for Emerging Europe 2013 presented by Emerging Markets Magazine.
October 23, 2013
Poland Intends to Keep Banking Sector Small
The Polish financial regulator intends to keep the frequency of bank shops low and avoid risks and bailout by this.
October 23, 2013
Slovenia: Govenor of National Bank demands “Change of Mentality”
At a lecture planned by the Institute for Middle-East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES), Bostjan Jazbec, govenor of Banka Slovenije, pointed out that the country could only blame itself for the current state it was in.
October 23, 2013
Austrian Banks Expected to Pass Auditing
According to the financial supervisors, the Austrian banks are likely to pass the ECB’s (European Central Bank) auditing since there are no significant adjustment requirements.
October 23, 2013
Austria: Saving Grows Decently
At the end of June, total savings reached € 490bn. In real terms, total savings shrink. Lending remains stable.
October 22, 2013
