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Austrian Economic Policy News and Analysis
Read the latest headlines about policies and laws influencing the business and investment environment of Vienna and Austria
BayernLB: “Hypo Not Willing to Pay“
Because of the legal dispute with Austrian problem bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria, former German parent company BayernLB announced not to increase its risk provision.
November 13, 2013
Czech Republic: CNB Concerned about Private Households
In regard to the most recent forex intervention, the Czech National Bank (CNB) has expressed concern about private households, which would be affected for a longer period since savings as well as income will drop.
November 13, 2013
Austria: Bawag to Pay Off Further State Capital
Today CEO Byron Haynes announced that Bawag will pay back a further tranche of the bank state aid injected in 2009.
November 13, 2013
Crucial Days for Slovenia´s Government
Slovenia´s government has presented the 2014 budget to the Parliament. Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek has linked the approval to a vote of confidence. However, the budget approval is not the biggest risk factor for the ailing country.
November 13, 2013
Controversy Over Special Taxes in Romania
The Romanian government plans to impose new taxes in 2014. Foreign investors may leave the country.
November 12, 2013
IMF Puts Pressure on Croatia
Although Croatia´s economic situation will improve slightly next year, the country is seen as next bail-out candidate. The International Monetary Fund wants Croatia to accelerate economic reforms.
November 12, 2013
Austria: Downsizing Options for Hypo Group under Discussion
In the discussion about establishing a downsizing unit for ailing bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria, several possibilities are taken into account.
November 12, 2013
Czech President Sceptical about CNB’s Forex Intervention
Czech President Zeman expressed his reservations about the Central Bank’s latest forex interventions.
November 12, 2013
Austria: Nowotny Rejects Mood of Opposition against ECB
Ewald Nowotny, governor of OeNB, rejects the idea of having been part of a protest group against the European Central Bank’s (ECB) most recent monetary measures by cutting the key rate to an all-time low.
November 12, 2013
Western Balkans Struggling with NPL
The high percentage of non-performing loans in the Western Balkan region is affecting the financial stability of the region’s countries.
November 11, 2013
CESEE: Growth Remains Below Potential
Today, the EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) has published its economic outlook for the CESEE region. The reform pressure is growing, Anthony Willams at EBRD wrote.
November 11, 2013
Croatia: IMF as Last Exit
It is likely that the ailing country is seeking assistance from the IMF. Borrowing in 2014 is risky, Finance Minister Slavko Linic said.
November 11, 2013
Austria: Hypo Group Reason for Major Budget Gap
The ailing bank is a major cause for the massive Austrian budget deficit increase. According to reports, up to € 1.3bn will be required even this year.
November 11, 2013
Nowotny Against ECB’s Key Rate Cut
The governor of the Austrian National Bank has, according to reports, voted against the ECB’s most recent interventions.
November 11, 2013
Romanian Inflation Forecast Adjusted by NBR
The National Bank of Romania (NBR) has adjusted the inflation forecast downward for 2013 and 2014.
November 11, 2013
Czech Republic: CNB to Intervene in Forex Market
After the Czech koruna (CZK) was devalued, the Czech National Bank (CNB) is keen on preventing a deflation. However, the key rate cannot be cut anymore as it is close to zero.
November 11, 2013
Hypo Group: Urgent Need for Fresh Money
The ailing nationalized bank Austrian Hypo Group Alpe Adria has a capital shortfall of € 1.3bn. The gap must be closed before the end of the year.
November 11, 2013
Austrian Government Hid Enormous Fiscal Shortfall
In the next five years, Austria´s fiscal shortfall may total up to € 40bn. The Austrian government did not disclose details yet.
November 8, 2013
Czech National Bank Starts Currency Interventions
In order to stop the recession in the Czech Republic, CNB eases monetary policy further.
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
Stable Outlook for Recovery of Austrian Economy
The outlook for economic improvement has stabilized. Both Wifo’s economy test and Wifo’s early indicator point to an upward trend.
November 8, 2013
VIG: Expansion Plans in Baltic States
According to a report by “Wirtschaftsblatt”, the Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) plans to expand business activity in the Baltic States. From 2014 on, the Austrian insurance company will start conquering the Estonian insurance market.
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
Croatia Under Brussel´s Observation
The new EU member country fights against a number of economic problems. Now, the EU-Commission considers starting an excessive deficit procedure.
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
Poland´s National Bank Holds Interest Rate Flat
In order to boost economic growth, the Polish Monetary Policy Council has left the interest rate unchanged.
November 6, 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
Serbia: Only Minor Growth Expected
In 2014 the Western Balkan state is expected to achieve only an insignificant economic growth rate.
November 6, 2013
Slovenia: Banking Act Rejected by Parliament
The Slovenian parliament has disapproved of the banking act which planned to introduce bail-in rules throughout the European Union.
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
Romania: Growth Rates to Exceed Forecasts
According to the autumn forecast published by the EU Commission on Tuesday, Romania will exceed the previous estimates.
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
Hungary: Parliament Resolves Bank Act
The Hungarian banking sector, which is dominated by Austrian banks, faces new difficulties.
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
Slovenia: Petition Against Real Estate Tax Initiated
On Monday, a petition against the planned real estate tax was initiated. In an attempt to reduce the massive fiscal shortfall, Slovenia is looking for new revenues. The property tax is supposed to bring about more than € 400m.
November 5, 2013
Austria: Competitiveness Suffers from Poor Infrastructure
According to infrastructure report “FBA“ (Future Business Austria), the Austrian business location is suffering from poor infrastructure which leads to the country missing out on a productivity potential of almost € 34bn.
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
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