Austrian Economic Policy News and Analysis
Read the latest headlines about policies and laws influencing the business and investment environment of Vienna and Austria
Bosnian Billionaire to Acquire Hypo Group?
The Finance Ministry confirmed the announcement and is now examining the offer.
April 4, 2014
RBI: Economic Recovery Despite Geopolitical Tensions
Economic upswing vs. geopolitics.
April 4, 2014
Austria: Capital Increase for Hypo Group Decided
The Austrian problem bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria will receive € 750m in fresh capital.
April 4, 2014
VBAG: No State Aids in 2014
The restructuring of VBAG Group is supposed to be completed until 2017, as announced by the banking group. From currently 48 regional bank shops in Austria nine regional banks are supposed to remain.
April 3, 2014
Hungary: Fidesz Considered Winners of Elections
The governing party Fidesz under Prime Minister Viktor Orban is expected to become the clear winner of the parliamentary elections on Sunday.
April 3, 2014
Poland: NBP to Stabilize FX Reserves
The Supreme Audit Chamber NIK in Poland called upon the National Bank in Poland (NBP) not to increase in foreign-exchange (FX) reserves but stabilize its level.
April 3, 2014
Serbian Future Government Needs to Be “Compact”
According to the deputy leader of SNS, Aleksandar Vucic “shall introduce iron discipline in the Government.”
April 3, 2014
VIG: Takeover of Donaris Successful
Acquisition of the Moldovan insurer Donaris completed
April 3, 2014
Hungary: OTP Approaches Acquisition of MKB
MKB, the Hungarian loss-making affiliate of German regional lender BayernLB, is approaching its acquisition by the biggest lender OTP.
April 3, 2014
Poland: Banking Industry Expects Improvement in Results
The Polish banking sector expects net profits to increase in 2014.
April 3, 2014
Austria: Dispute about Bank Tax Culminates
The establishing of a new fund for the banking union will become a financial burden for banking institutes.
April 3, 2014
Serbia: New Government to Hold EU Accession Talks Regularly
The next government of Serbia will hold sessions with regard to the EU accesssion on a regular basis, as announced by Miscevic, chief EU negotiator of Serbia.
April 3, 2014
Prague Wants to Improve Relations With Vienna
The Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Lubomír Zaorálek is visiting Austria tomorrow.
April 2, 2014
Hungary Receives € 10bn Loan from Russia
Hungary´s government has signed a loan agreement with Russia. Budapest wants to finance the enlargement of the Paks nuclear power plant.
April 2, 2014
CEE: Economy Could Become More Vulnerable to Crimea Crisis
If the political crisis in Crimea aggravates negative effects in the economy could soon become evident.
April 2, 2014
Slovenia: Budget Deficit to Jump to 14.7%
Due to the bank bailout, Slovenia´s budget deficit is expected to reach 14.7% of GDP in 2013.
April 2, 2014
Austria: “Financial Crisis is Not Yet Over”
Deputy Chancellor and Finance Minister Michael Spindelegger considers the financial crisis not to be completely over.
April 2, 2014
Czech Republic: Euro Support Still Weak
Almost a quarter of Czech citizens support the idea of joining the single European currency union.
April 2, 2014
Austria: Faymann Insists on Bank Levy
Chancellor Faymann intends to keep the bank levy in spite of the planned insolvency fund, which is going to be established EU-wide.
April 1, 2014
Austria: Fitch Warns Banks of Risk with Business in Russia
The menacing sanctions against Russia with regard to the political crisis in Crimea could become a severe danger for Austrian banks.
April 1, 2014
Austria: Chancellor Calls for Reform of Investigation Committee
Chancellor Werner Faymann has today expressed his wish for a fast reform of parliamentary investigation committees.
April 1, 2014
Austria: Spindelegger Expects Significant Increase of Deficit
According to the Finance Minister, the consequences of the Hypo-disaster are “dramatic”. However, he does not see a danger of deflation.
April 1, 2014
Hypo Group: Settlement Rejected by BayernLB
The majority stockholder of BayernLB, the former parent company of Hypo Group Alpe Adria, is not willing to negotiate about a settlement with the Austrian problem bank.
April 1, 2014
Hungarian Recovery Remains Shaky
Last year, Hungary´s government successfully managed the economic turnaround. Nevertheless, Hungary´s growth remains artificial.
March 31, 2014
Ten Years After The 2004 EU Enlargement: Achievements and Next Steps
International Conference, Vienna, 24-25 April 2014
March 31, 2014
Romania: Key Interest Rate Remains Unchanged
The central bank of Romania has left the main interest rate unchanged.
March 31, 2014
Slovenia: Danger of Tax Increase
Because of the failed introduction of the property tax Finance Minister Uros Cufer suggested an inrease in VAT to compensate for the losses in revenue.
March 31, 2014
Austria: State Revenues Increased
In 2013 the Austrian budget deficit came at 1.5 percent of GDP wile public debts increased to 74.5 percent of GDP.
March 31, 2014
Slovakia: Kiska Won Against Fico
Prime Minister Robert Fico has received a heavy defeat. For the first time in Slovakia´s history, an independent candidate becomes President.
March 30, 2014
Sikorski: Ukraine Close to Deal with IMF
Poland´s Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski explained that the talks between the IMF and Ukraine have made substantial progress.
March 29, 2014
Austria: VBAG Downgraded to Junk Status
Moody´s has lowered VBAG´s rating. According to the rating agency, the partly nationalized Austrian bank has no investment grade anymore.
March 29, 2014
KA Finanz: No More State Aids Necessary
The nationalized Austrian bad bank has finished the loss-making sale of credit default swaps. In the last six years, KA Finanz has downsized radically.
March 29, 2014
Slovenia: Controversial Property Tax Fails
The Slovenian Constitutional Court has rejected the controversial property tax suggested by the government. This will jeopardize this year’s budget.
March 28, 2014
Hypo Group: “The People are Really Pissed Off“
According to Werner Kogler, financial spokesman and deputy party leader of the Austrian Greens, the Hypo commission appointed by the government is an “intolerable escape attempt”.
March 28, 2014
Leitl: “Growth Must Not Mean Less Reforms”
Economic growth is now weaker than in the previous phases of upturn.
March 28, 2014
Hypo Petition Puts Pressure on Austrian Government
The support of the online petition for the establishing of an investigation committee has gained more than 105,000 supporters which puts increasing pressure on the government.
March 28, 2014
Austria: S&P Confirms Rating
US rating agency Standard & Poor’s has confirmed the Austrian rating at “AA+” with a stable outlook.
March 28, 2014
RBI to Keep Hungarian and Ukrainian Affiliates?
Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) considers keeping its affiliates in Hungary and Ukraine.
March 27, 2014
Serbia: Little Faith in Judiciary
The majority of the Serbian population does not trust state institutions, particularly the judiciary.
March 27, 2014
Poland to Fulfill EU Commission’s Regulations
According to Polish Finance Minister Mateusz Szczurek, Poland will have no difficulties fullfilling the standards set by the European Commission with regard to the budget deficit.
March 27, 2014
Austria: Economic Growth Slowly Getting in Gear
Wifo (Austrian Institute of Economic Research) projects economic growth in Austria to revive again only at the end of this year.
March 27, 2014
Slovenia: Chaos around Real Estate Tax Continues
On Thursday the Slovenian National Assembley will pass amendments to the highly debated real estate tax.
March 27, 2014
Austria: Hypo Commission Soon Ready to Investigate
The government’s commission for the investigation of Hypo Group’s nationalization is supposed to begin its assignment in one or two weeks.
March 27, 2014
RBI: Profit Shrinks by Almost A Quarter
RBI with consolidated profit of € 557 million Austria’s most profitable bank for the fourth time.
March 27, 2014
Serbia: Program for New Government in Progress
The future government will have to implement extensive reforms. Vucic, whose party saw a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections, is working on the government’s program.
March 26, 2014
Raiffeisen Group: Uncertain Future
On Thursday Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) will present the annual figures of 2013.
March 26, 2014
Poland: Good Starting Point for Economic Growth
Economic growth for 2014 is expected to accelerate to 3.1 percent to 3.2 percent in the first quarter while for the full year it is anticipated to come at 3.5 percent, according to Polish Economy Minister Janusz Piechocinski.
March 26, 2014
BayernLB Threatens Hypo Group with Damage Claims
BayernLB, former parent company of Hypo Group Alpe Adria International, is threatening to claim damages from its former affiliate.
March 26, 2014
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