Vienna International Company News

Read the latest headlines about developments in international organizations, companies and institutions operating in Vienna, Austria

Expansion Course of Austrian Banks Slowed Down

After the financial crisis cooled down the expansion course of Austrian banks in CESEE countries was dampened down.

January 16, 2014

Hypo Group: Other Downsizing Unit than Bad Bank?

Rumors about other models than a bad bank have appeared.

January 15, 2014

CESEE: Massive Increase in Real Estate Investments

In Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, the total volume of real estate transactions totaled € 10.bn last year. Most transactions were recorded in Russia and Poland.

January 15, 2014

S&P: Polish Banks to Remain “Strongly Profitable”

In 2014’s outlook on Polish banks rating agency Standard&Poor; announced that Polish banks are expected to benefit from an ongoing economic recovery and remain “strongly profitable”.

January 15, 2014

Property Market: Vienna More Attractive than Berlin or Munich

Compared to German metropolises, the Viennese property market has still a significant upside potential. Nevertheless, the office market in Vienna is expected to stagnate in the next few years.

January 15, 2014

Hypo Group: No Alternative to Bad Bank

The time pressure on the Austrian government is growing day by day. The nationalized Austrian problem bank urgently needs a bad bank.

January 14, 2014

IMF and EBRD Deeply Concerned Over CESEE

Foreign banks continue to withdraw capital from the region. According to the International Monetary Fund, the development is highly considerable.

January 14, 2014

Raiffeisen Bank International Moves Up a Gear

The second-largest lender in CESEE is in a hurry. According to the news provider Bloomberg, the capital increase may take place in the next few weeks.

January 14, 2014

Bank Austria Declines Selling Plans in Ukraine

CEO of Bank Austria, Gianni Franco Papa, rejects rumors about Bank Austria intending to leave the Ukraine.

January 14, 2014

Czech Republic: Economic Growth Expected to Expand

The Czech Banking Association (CBA) has adjusted its economic forecast and expects a growth rate of 1.9 percent for the Czech economy this year.

January 14, 2014

CA Immo: Operating Performance above Expectations

CA Immo: Strong performance in 2013 boosts profitability and share price development.

January 14, 2014

CESEE: Number of NPL Declining

According to a study by Bank Austria, the number of bad loans is declining in Central and Eastern Europe.

January 14, 2014

Nowotny Sees Growth Potential in Eurozone and CEE

According to Ewald Nowotny, governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB), the outlooks for economic upturn in the Eurozone and Central/Eastern Europe have improved significantly compared to only a year ago.

January 14, 2014

Bank Austria Generates Fresh Capital

On Monday, January 13, UniCredit Bank Austria issued its first mortgage bond for 2014 to strengthen its capital base.

January 14, 2014

CESEE: Lack in FDI Causes Modest Economic Growth

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is cautiously optimistic about economic growth in CESEE.

January 14, 2014

Austria: Expert Paper for Hypo Group’s Bad Bank

An expert paper about possible downsizing options for state-controlled problem bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria is expected to be handed in to the government until the middle of the week.

January 13, 2014

CNB: Significant Increase in Profits

Due to the forex interventions in November last year, the Czech National Bank (CNB) was able to increase its results.

January 13, 2014

Austria: Distribution of Wealth Extremely Unequal

The top one percent of Austrian households possesses more than 50 percent of all investment income.

January 13, 2014

Basel III Framework to be Softened

The Basel Committee´s oversight body has amended the leverage ratio rules. For the banking industry, this step is an important success.

January 13, 2014

Austria: VBAG Not to Receive Further Aids

Ailing banking institute VBAG of the Austrian Volksbanken Group will not be granted further state aids.

January 13, 2014

Fitch: Positive Comment on Raiffeisen Bank International

According to the U.S. rating agency, the planned capital increase is evaluated positively. In certain CESEE market, RBI´s operations will remain challenging, Fitch said.

January 11, 2014

Europe/CESEE: Heavy Trade in Distressed Assets

Until 2018, European lenders will offload about 300bn of bad debts, according to PwC. Above all, U.S. private equity firms are taking the opportunity.

January 11, 2014

Bulgaria: Fitch Confirms Rating at “BBB-“

According to Fitch, the outlooks are stable. In case of an increase in political and social tensions, Bulgaria´s current rating would be in danger, however. Bulgaria´s financial situation is satisfying, though.

January 11, 2014

RBI: Capital Increase Because of Unsuccessful Partner Search

For Raiffeisen Bank International, the capital increase is nothing else but an emergency solution. The main loser is RBI´s core shareholder, the Austrian Raiffeisen Zentralbank.

January 10, 2014

Austria: Significant Increase in Bank Levy

In 2014, the bank levy is expected to increase substantially. Austrian banks regard the levy as massive competitive disadvantage.

January 10, 2014

Poland: Finance Minister Optimistic About Growth

According to Finance Minister Mateusz Szczurek, economic growth in Poland could exceed three percent year-on-year in 2015.

January 10, 2014

Austria: Hypo Group Looking for New CRO

Deputy CEO and chief risk officer of Hypo Group Wolfgang Edelmüller will resign as of the end of February.

January 10, 2014

RBI: Change in Shareholdings Expected

The announcement to increase capital by Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) did not come as a surprise. However, experts and investors did not expect such a high volume (up to € 2.5bn) and fear a dilution in shareholdings.

January 10, 2014

Slovenia: 2014 Credit Line of € 7.7bn

On Thursday the Slovenian government adopted a budget financing plan which includes this year’s credit line of up to € 7.7bn.

January 10, 2014

Austria: VIG to Sell Stakes in Porr

Listed Vienna Insurance Grop (VIG) downsizes its stake in Austrian construction company Porr, which is also listed at the Vienna Stock Exchange.

January 9, 2014

Poland: Key Interest Rate to Remain Unchanged

As expected, the key interest rate will not be changed. According to Marek Belka, governor of the Polish National Bank (NBP), there was no need in monetary interventions.

January 9, 2014

Eurozone: Further Capital Injections at Banks Expected

The Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) is holding a summit today. The low inflation rate in the Eurozone is still a dilemma for the monetary authorities.

January 9, 2014

RBI Expects Growth to Accelerate in 2014

2014 marked by growth recovery, according to RBI Research.

January 9, 2014

Slovenia: Growth through Diplomatic Network

Slovenian Finance Minister Karl Erjavec assured that throught diplomatic network the country’s economy will still be supported.

January 9, 2014

Bulgaria: Small Growth in Real Estate Market

The real estate market in Bulgaria saw a growth of 2.98 percent last year.

January 9, 2014

Shortages in Austrian Real Estate Market

The Austrian real estate association (ÖVI) warns of a low building activity. There is a lack of more than 10,000 new housing units per year, ÖVI argued.

January 8, 2014

Raiffeisen Bank International to Raise Capital

Austrian RBI will increase capital be € 2.25bn in summer 2014. This step was already long-awaited. The shareholder structure will change substantially.

January 8, 2014

RBI: No Withdrawal from Hungary

Due to massive losses, the second-largest lender in CESEE was said to leave the difficult Hungarian market. RBI denies such reports.

January 8, 2014

Orco Property Group: Cut in Number of Board Members

Shareholders of Luxembourger real estate company Orco Property Group voted to cut the number of board members from nine to five on Monday.

January 8, 2014

Slovenia: Calls for Reforms Become Louder

The Slovenian Chamber of Commerce (GZS) calls upon the government to accelerate the realization of reforms to boost economic growth.

January 8, 2014

Hungary: SZKB to Take over Hungarian RBI?

Hungarian Economy Minister Mihaly Varga considers it unlikely for Szecheny Commercial Bank (SZKB) to take over the Hungarian affiliate of Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI).

January 8, 2014

Serbia: One of Fastest Growing Economies

Last year Serbia was among the ten fastest growing economies in Europe, as pointed out by Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic.

January 8, 2014

Hungary Amending Figures of Budget Deficit

Hungarian Finance and Economy Minister Mihaly Varga announced that the budget deficit of 2013 will be below the target after it was lowered dramatically.

January 8, 2014

Meinl Bank: Plans of Growth in Czech Republic and UK

Meinl Bank has opened a new subsidiary in Prague. Growth plans for the core business in Central and Eastern Europe is well on its way, according to the bank’s officials.

January 7, 2014

Czech Republic: Alarming Increase of Private Bankruptcies

The number of private insolvencies increased by 13 percent and stood at a new record in 2013.

January 7, 2014

Growing Evidence for RBI’s Withdrawal from Hungary

According to media reports, Hungarian partly nationalized Szechenyi Commercial Bank has placed an offer for the take-over of RBI’s Hungarian affiliate.

January 7, 2014

Romania: Slight Increase in FX Reserves

In December 2013 FX reserves increased slightly compared to the previous month.

January 7, 2014

European Union: Private Trading of Banks to be Restricted

The European Union intends to severly restrict risky private trading of banks.

January 7, 2014

Hungary: Erste Group Confident

The third-largest lender in CESEE underlined that the Hungarian subsidiary will not be sold. The Austrian bank is confident to reach the turnaround soon.

January 6, 2014

First Offer for RBI´s Hungarian Subsidiary

The partly nationalized Hungarian lender Szechenyi Bank is interested in the Hungarian subsidiaries of the Austrian banks Erste Group and Raiffeisen Bank International.

January 6, 2014