Austrian Economic Policy News and Analysis
Read the latest headlines about policies and laws influencing the business and investment environment of Vienna and Austria
„CESEE No Driver Yet“
Birgit Kuras, CEO of Vienna Stock Exchange, thinks that the Vienna Stock Exchange is highly influenced by the CESEE operations of listed companies.
December 23, 2013
Austria: Industrial Output Shrinks
In October the industrial production in Austria declined.
December 23, 2013
Slovenia: PM Bratusek Confident About Tackling State Debts
Even though the country is expected to issue new state bonds next year to tackle state debts Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek suggested that Slovenia does not require loans immediately.
December 23, 2013
Austria: New Government Already Disappoints in the First Week
In 2014, Austria will not achieve its fiscal objectives, new Minister of Finance Michael Spindelegger admitted. Austria´s fiscal situation is observed critically. The country faces a new austerity package.
December 23, 2013
Hungary: Positive Outlook, Negative Frame Conditions
In the short term, Hungary´s economy will accelerate. However, it is still uncertain whether the country achieves a sustainable return to growth.
December 21, 2013
Austria: Bank Rescue Massive Burden for Public Finance
In total, costs of the Austrian banking package come at € 6.75bn. Expenses are only partially covered by revenues.
December 21, 2013
CESEE: Dependence on Foreign Demand Remains Main Obstacle
In 2014, Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe (CESEE) faces a slight upward trend. The structural difficulties persist, however.
December 21, 2013
Rothensteiner: Austrian Sovereign Debt Rating Includes Bank Bail-Out
Unlike the rating agency Moody´s, head of RZB (Raiffeisen Zentralbank) Walter Rothensteiner thinks that the Austrian sovereign debt rating is not endangered by the nationalized banking sector.
December 20, 2013
Austria: Rules for Bank Tax to Be Changed
The governing parties call for changes in the bank tax which would increase the burden of some Austrian banks.
December 20, 2013
Austria: New CEO for Hypo Group Alpe Adria
The search for a new CEO for Hypo Group has ended. On Friday the bank has found a new head of the management board since the position was vacant after Gottwald Kranebitter’s resignation this summer.
December 20, 2013
Austria: VBAG May Require Further State Aid
Partially nationalized VBAG is expected to post losses of more than € 200m.
December 20, 2013
Slovenia: Budget Shortfall Greater than Expected
As per the end of November the country’s budget deficit amounted to almost € 1.62bn, according to the latest estimates by the Finance Ministry.
December 20, 2013
Czech Republic: Economic Sentiment Rises
As published by the Czech Statistical Office (CSU), the Czech economic sentiment indicator rose by one point to 5.5 points compared to November.
December 20, 2013
Bulgaria: Economic Upturn Not Sooner Than 2015
As reported by Bulgarian daily Standart, an economist at World Bank pointed out that the country has not yet reached the economic situation of before the start of the financial crisis in 2008.
December 20, 2013
Austria: Options of Bad Bank for Hypo under Examination
Finance Minister Spindelegger intends to meet with experts to discuss options of a bad bank for Hypo Group Alpe Adria.
December 20, 2013
Buwog's Spin Off More Likely than IPO
Immofinanz plans on increasing the portfolio of its affiliate Buwog, which focuses on residential real estate, by acquiring a volume of 18,000 apartments in Northern Germany.
December 19, 2013
Slovenia: EU Commission Approves Bank Aid
On Wednesday the European Commission has approved state aid for five Slovenian banks.
December 19, 2013
Austria: S&P Keeps Rating Unchanged
The U.S. rating agency confirms the “AA+” rating for Austrian sovereign bonds. An upgrade is unlikely in the next years.
December 19, 2013
Banking Union Completed
The Finance Ministers of the Eurozone have reached a compromise on the last pillar of the banking union. The deposit protection mechanism will come into power in 2015.
December 19, 2013
Hypo Group´s Bankruptcy: Major Threat for Raiffeisen Sector
In case of Hypo Group Alpe Adria´s bankruptcy, the Austrian banking sector would have to absorb enormous write-offs. Above all, mortgage institutions in the Raiffeisen sector would be endangered.
December 19, 2013
Wifo: Sluggish Growth Because of Weak Consumption
According to Wifo’s (Austrian Institute of Economic Research) prognosis for the coming years, economic upturn in Austria will remain flat because of weak consumption.
December 19, 2013
Hungary: Slower Monetary Cuts
After another base rate cut, the next monetary steps will take more time.
December 18, 2013
Macedonian Banks Should Support Private Sector
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Stavreski calls upon Macedonian banks to support the private sector.
December 18, 2013
Serbia: National Bank Cuts Key Policy Rate
The NBS decided to cut key interest rate by half a percentage point as inflation remains on the lower target tolerance band.
December 18, 2013
Slovak Prime Minister Confirms Presidental Candidacy
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who also serves as head of ruling left-winged Smer Party, announced his candidacy for the presidential office next year.
December 18, 2013
Slovenia: Three Arrestments at NLB
According to Slovenian authorities, three persons in the bank’s environment were arrested because of alleged malpractice.
December 18, 2013
Serbia: EU Accession Talks in January Fixed
Prime Minister Dacic considers results as “historic event” for Serbia.
December 18, 2013
RBI CEO under Suspicion of Prosecution against Corruption
Karl Sevelda, CEO of Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI), is suspected of having sold company’s shares of a commodity trader below their value. The prosecution in Vienna is now searching Sevelda’s office.
December 18, 2013
Hypo Group: Take-Over Almost Completed
British-Indian Anadi Financial Holding had to wait for months until the take-over of Austrian Hypo Group Alpe Adria was approved.
December 18, 2013
Czech Republic: Rusnok to become CNB Board Member
Outgoing Prime Minister Jiri Rusnok will be appointed new board member of the Czech National Bank (CNB) by President Milos Zeman.
December 18, 2013
Hypo Group Insolvency: Total Damage of € 26bn
Ewald Nowotny, governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB), warns of follow-up costs in case of a bankruptcy of the Austrian nationalized lender.
December 17, 2013
Austrian Banks: “Less than No Interest” in Bad Bank Participation
According to Felderer, Austrian major banks have “less than no interest” in a participation of a Hypo Group’s bad bank.
December 17, 2013
Austria: Major Banks Exhibit Significant Shortages in Core Capital Quota
Both Erste Group’s and RBI’s core capital quota is below the European average.
December 17, 2013
Banking Union: Bank Resolution as Hot Topic
The Finance Ministers of the Eurogroup countries are discussing the future of the banking union in Brussels today.
December 17, 2013
CESEE: More Robust than in 2008
The U.S. Federal Reserve wants to reduce its easing policy gradually. For emerging markets, the end of the loose monetary policy may prove challenging.
December 17, 2013
Poland: PZU Places Binding Offer for Croatia Osiguranje
Polish insurance company PZU places a binding offer for Croatia Osiguranje (CO).
December 17, 2013
Czech Republic: Lowest Increase in Public Debts in 17 Years
According to the government’s Funding and Debt Management Strategy, public debt should exceed CZK 2,000bn by the end of 2016.
December 17, 2013
Bulgaria: Majority of Citizens Call for Early Elections
According to a poll, 80 percent of Bulgarians demand early elections.
December 17, 2013
Austria: Fate of Hypo Group Still Unclear
Only next year the fate of ailing bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria will be determined.
December 16, 2013
Hungary: Good News for Banks in Forex Proceedings
Banks operating in Hungary can feel relieved by the Supreme Court’s judgement.
December 16, 2013
Slovenia: Bad Bank to Operate Longer than Expected
According to executive director Mannson, the collecting and selling of non-performing loans would take at least ten to fifteen years.
December 16, 2013
Austria: Opening Balance Reveals Massive Mountain of Debt
Public debts exceed the federal assets by more than double the amount, as revealed by the opening balance published by outgoing Finance Minister Maria Fekter last weekend.
December 16, 2013
Poland: Budget Bill Approved by Lower House
On Friday, the Polish lower house Sejm approved next year’s budget bill which schedules the budget deficit of PLN 47.6bn not to be exceeded.
December 16, 2013
Romania: Significant Decline in FDI
On an annual basis, FDI decreased by more than eight percent.
December 16, 2013
NBS: Moderate Rise in Inflation
Moderate rise of inflation expected by the National Bank of Serbia (NBS).
December 16, 2013
Romania´s GDP Growth to Slow Down
In 2014, Romania is expected to grow moderately. Compared to 2013, growth will decelerate. The recovery mainly depends on exports.
December 16, 2013
Bulgaria: S&P Downgrade Criticized Sharply
Bulgarian Minister of Economy Dragomir Stynev does not agree with S&P´s view on Bulgaria´s creditworthiness.
December 16, 2013
Slovenia: Haircut for Junior Bondholders
Subordinated bond holders of the state-owned Slovenian banks will lose their investments completely. This is part of the recapitalization scheme.
December 14, 2013
MNB Replaces Hungarian Banking Industry
In order to push economic growth rates, Hungary´s National Bank continues to support the subsidized loan program. The support should help to boost the construction of real estate.
December 14, 2013
Emerging Markets Face Decrease in Risk Appetite
Foreign investors become more and more cautious about investing in emerging markets. Regions like Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe are highly dependent on foreign sentiments.
December 14, 2013
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