Austrian Economic Policy News and Analysis
Read the latest headlines about policies and laws influencing the business and investment environment of Vienna and Austria
Austrian Banking Industry Has to Fear Bank Tax Increase
At the end of this week, the Austrian social democrats and the conservatives agreed on continuing their coalition. Although the fiscal strategy is not fully known yet, a bank tax increase is likely.
December 14, 2013
Austrian Business Location in Danger?
The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) has carried out a survey on the Austrian business location. Most interviewees are pessimistic.
December 14, 2013
BayernLB to Keep Hungarian MKB Unit
BayernLB’s plans to seperate from loss-making Hungarian affiliate MKB were not put on hold. Instead, the German bank wants to continue to push forward with austerity measures and cut jobs.
December 14, 2013
Poland: Budget Deficit Expected to Fall
In view of the accelerating economy, Poland´s fiscal shortfall will be smaller than initially projected, the rating agency Fitch states.
December 13, 2013
Positive Respond to Slovenian Bank Recapitalization Plans
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development responds positively to the results of the asset quality review of Slovenian banks and the corresponding plans of the government.
December 13, 2013
Austria: Spindelegger Replaces Fekter
The designated cabinet members were presented to the public today. Maria Fekter will not be a cabinet member anymore.
December 13, 2013
Leitl: No Alternative to Budget Consolidation
Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO), regards the coalition agreement between the Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the People’s Party (ÖVP) acceptable.
December 13, 2013
Capital Injection for Hypo Group Approved
In the general assembley of Hypo Group the path was cleared for a further capital injection in the amount of € 800m.
December 13, 2013
Croatia: Major Investments to Boost Economic Growth
The Croatian government on Thursday adopted an investment plan for 2014 which includes large-scale investments, amounting to as much as HRK 73.1 billion.
December 13, 2013
Slovenia Pushes Forward with Privatizations
In spite of the capital shortfall of € 4.78bn of the banks in Slovenia, the bank stress test was passed by the financial institutes.
December 13, 2013
Croatia: Erste Offer Rejected
Austrian Erste Group intended to aquire Croatian HPB. However, the offer was rejected by the Finance Ministry as the purchase price was considered too low.
December 13, 2013
Austria´s Government: Old Turns into New
The leaders of the old government, Chancellor Werner Faymann and Deputy Chancellor Michael Spindelegger, announced to form a new government.
December 12, 2013
Poland: Growth May be Higher than Projected
Poland´s new Finance Minister Mateusz Szczurek thinks that the growth estimations for 2014 may be too cautious.
December 12, 2013
Hungary: Stable Outlook Yet Still Junk Status
In spite of Matolcsy, governor of the Hungarian National Bank (MNB), demanding a better rating for the country’s credibility, the major rating agencies have not raised them.
December 12, 2013
Serbia: NBS FX Reserves Amounted to More than € 10,362m at End-November
FX Reserves and IFEM movements in November.
December 12, 2013
Austria: Hypo Group Insolvency Best Solution for Taxpayers
According to consulting agency Oliver Wyman, an insolvency of ailing bank Hypo Group would be the most favorable option for taxpayers as instead of domestic banks foreign banking institutes will be burdened.
December 12, 2013
Slovenian Banks Exhibit Capital Gap of Almost € 5bn
The capital gap of Slovenian banks comes at a total of 4.78bn, according to the stress test published today.
December 12, 2013
Slovenia Issues Treasury Bills
On Wednesday Slovenia issued a treasury bill with a maturity of three and a half years in the amount of € 45m. The measure was part of the budget liquidity operation.
December 12, 2013
Czech Republic: Banking Sector Proves Stable
According to the latest results of the bank stress test by the Czech National Bank (CNB), the domestic financial institutes remain resistant to a potential negative development.
December 12, 2013
Austria: Nowotny Reiterates Statement
Ewald Nowotny, governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB), reiterated his view on Hypo Group.
December 11, 2013
No Major Progresses in Banking Union
Tuesday night the Finance Ministers of the European Union have gradually approached on the outstanding issues in the handling with banks threatened by bankruptcy.
December 11, 2013
Czech Republic: New Government Confirmed
Seven weeks after the national elections, the Czech Social Democrats (CSSD) have agreed to form a coalition with ANO and the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL).
December 11, 2013
Ten Capital Market Themes for 2014 by Raiffeisenbank
Leading indicators show a recovery of global growth.
December 11, 2013
OeNB Calls on Austrian Banks to Strengthen Their Capital Base Further
Presentation of the Financial Stability Report 26 of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB).
December 11, 2013
Austria: Federation of Trade Unions Warns of Privatizations
The Austrian Federation of Trade Unions warns the Austrian state not to push through with further privatizations.
December 11, 2013
Hypo Group Alpe Adria to Receive Next Capital Injection
On Friday the ailing bank is expected to receive fresh money again in association with the extraordinary general meeting.
December 11, 2013
Croatia: EU Introduces Excessive Deficit Procedure
In the last years, Croatia´s fiscal situation has deteriorated considerably. Not only the budget deficit remains above 3.0% of GDP, but also the public debt quota has climbed above 60% of GDP.
December 11, 2013
Slovenia: Bank Bailout Plan Is Completed
Tomorrow, December 12, the results of the bank asset review will be published. The next steps have been determined already in advance.
December 11, 2013
Hypo Group Alpe Adria: Liebscher Against Haircut
Klaus Liebscher, chairman of Hypo Group’s supervisory board, is strictly against a debt cut at the nationalized bank. He expects a decision about a bad bank only in the first quarter next year.
December 10, 2013
Serbia: World Bank Attaches Loan to New Laws
The World Bank has attached the loan in the amount of US-$ 250m (€ 183m) for Serbia to the implementation of three important laws within this year still.
December 10, 2013
Improving Situation for Banks in CEE
Raiffeisen analysis getting a notch more optimistic on CEE banks.
December 10, 2013
Leitl: Government Plans “Complete Nonsense“
According to Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, the “great” suggestions planned by his working group are not realized by the government.
December 10, 2013
Slovenia Still Wants to Solve Problems on Its Own
According to head of Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the highly indebted country intends to get a grip on the problems of its banking sector.
December 10, 2013
Former Kazakh Embassador Facing Trial in Austria
Rachat Alijew is facing prosecution in Austria because of alleged money laundering. Moreover, a former Austrian Chancellor is suspected of spying.
December 10, 2013
Poland: Interest Rate to Remain at Record Low
In the first half of 2014, the National Bank of Poland (NBP) will not alter the reference rate, economists say.
December 10, 2013
Bulgaria: Prime Minister Stresses Positive Development
Plamen Oresharski stressed that Bulgaria has performed better than expected in 2013.
December 10, 2013
Slovakia Reverts Fiscal Strategy
The Slovak parliament has approved the government-authored corporate tax rate cut from 23% to 22%. Further cuts are expected to come.
December 10, 2013
Poland: Parliament Approves Nationalization of Pension Fund
Today, the Polish Lower House approved the controversial pension reform. With the reform, the Polish pension system will be partly re-nationalized.
December 10, 2013
Serbia: New Budget Turning Point for Economy
Next year’s draft budget is, according to Prime Minister Ivica Dacic the opportunity for a new beginning and a turning point in a responsible approach to running the Serbian economy.
December 9, 2013
EU Demands € 55bn for Banking Union
The Finance Ministers of the European Union are still negotiating about a mechanism aimed at preventing states from having to take over financial difficulties from banks, the banking union.
December 9, 2013
Austria: Tax Increases Contemplated by Government
During the coalition negotiations increases of taxes on tobacco and alcohol is currently considered by the Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the People’s Party (ÖVP).
December 9, 2013
Wifo: Austrian Economic Growth Still Sluggish
Seasonally adjusted and corrected for working day effects, GDP increased by 0.2 percent compared to the second quarter. The upturn becomes evident only in a very moderate pace.
December 9, 2013
Austria: Oppositional FPÖ Wants Return to Shilling
The largest Austrian opposition party wants to leave the Eurozone.
December 7, 2013
Hypo Alleged of Having Hoarded Assets of Former Serbian Regime
A Serbian NGO suspects assets of former Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic at Hypo Group Alpe Adria. The Austrian bank strongly rejects this allegation.
December 6, 2013
Austria: Slight Increase in Exports
In spite of a continuing difficult international environment domestic exports increased by 0.7 percent. According to Economy Minister Mitterlehner the Austrian exports are on a record high.
December 6, 2013
Austria: Nowotny Warns of Choking off Economic Growth
The Austrian National Bank (OeNB) has slightly decreased this year’s economic growth from 0.5 percent to 0.4 percent. However, the recession of the past two years is over, the bank claims.
December 6, 2013
Slovenia: Bank Stress Test Results Expected Earlier
According to a source within the European Union, the test results of the asset review of Slovenian banks will be published on December 12.
December 6, 2013
Croatia Ready for Allocation of EU Funds
Croatia has been given access to 1.12 billion euros in all EU programmes.
December 6, 2013
Austria to Raise Capital of up to € 30bn
In 2014, the Austria state will raise capital in the amount of € 28bn to 30bn from international capital markets. This year around € 29bn were raised.
December 6, 2013
Economic Recovery in CESEE Supported by Exports
According to the GDP data for some Central and South Eastern European countries published today, economic recovery was backed by a strong increase in export activity.
December 5, 2013
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