Sponsored Content
Vienna International Community - People in the News - Latest Headlines
Read updated news about key players in Vienna's international community, such as expats, executives, politicians, diplomats, investors, artists and others.


Czech Republic. Euro Adoption Causes Dispute Within the Cabinet

Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Lubomir Zaoralek (CSSD – Czech Social Democrats) wants to adopt the euro as soon as possible. Minister of Finance Andrej Babis rejects that idea.
February 7, 2014


Hungary: Why Orban Faces Another Victory

At the beginning of April, Hungary will hold elections. Despite a high level of dissatisfaction and political frustration, there will be no government change.
February 7, 2014 · Updated: February 7, 2014; 17:59


Hyp Group Alpe Adria: “No Unnecessary Bankruptcy”

Klaus Liebscher, president of Hypo Group´s supervisory board, points out that Hypo Group´s bankruptcy would involve enormous risks. The Austrian government remains conspicuously calm.
February 7, 2014


Romania: Chitiou Has Lost Support from PNL

As reported by Vindobona, Romania´s Minister of Finance has decided to leave the government. According to rumors, the resignation was forced by senior PNL members.
February 7, 2014


Romania: Minister of Finance Quits

Minister of Finance Daniel Chitoiu is said to leave the Romanian cabinet.
February 6, 2014


Roubini: Hungary in Difficulties

A number of emerging countries are facing enormous problems, according to economist Nouriel Roubini. Also countries in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe are affected.
February 5, 2014


Austrian Minister of Finance Under Fire

Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Economics, criticizes the Austrian government sharply. Minister of Finance Michael Spindelegger is put on the defensive.
February 5, 2014


Czech Republic: Rusnok to Become CNB Board Member

Czech President Milos Zeman will appoint former Czech prime minister Jiri Rusnok as new board member of the Czech National Bank.
February 4, 2014


„Hungary and Austria Must not Become Enemies“

Ewald Nowotny, governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) wants a solution between the Hungarian government and the Austrian banking sector.
February 4, 2014


Czech Republic: Euro Not Before 2020

Czech new Minister of Finance Andrej Babis thinks that the euro will not be introduced in the next few years.
February 3, 2014


„We Must Watch CESEE Very Carefully“

In an interview with the Austrian daily „Standard“, board member of Österreichische Kontrollbank AG Angelika Sommer-Hemetsberger said that the economic crisis in CESEE is not over yet.
February 3, 2014


Tusk: No Monetary Interventions Necessary

In the past few months, the Polish zloty fell significantly. However, Poland´s Prime Minister Donald Tusk thinks that the zloty does not need support.
February 3, 2014


Vienna Insurance Group Enters New Market

Acquisition of the Moldovan insurer Donaris.
January 31, 2014


Hungary: Stable Economy, Weak Currency

According to Prime Minister Orban the volatility of the Hungarian Forint is based on global factors.
January 31, 2014


Austrian Government Skirting around Decision over Hypo

A paper reporting about the four options for downsizing Hypo Group has not been published by the government yet.
January 31, 2014


Poland: Economic Growth in 2013 above Expectations

GDP growth in Poland came at 1.6 percent year-on-year in 2013 which is 0.1 percent above expectations.
January 31, 2014


Bawag to Be Sold?

According to rumours, the fifth largest Austrian lender may be sold.
January 31, 2014


Austrian Industrial Sector only Sees Weak Recovery

The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) warns about a fragile economic recovery.
January 30, 2014


Poland: NBP Sees No Reason for Weakening Zloty

According to Eugeniusz Gatnar, board manager of the National Bank of Poland (NBP), there was no fundamental reason for monetary intervention.
January 30, 2014


VIG to Do Up Romanian Division

Difficulties in Romania and Italy for Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) lead to a massive decline in profits.
January 29, 2014


WKO Rejects Further Financial Burdens for Banks

According to the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO), the financial burdens of banking institutes in Austria are significantly higher than those of their competitors in other EU member states.
January 29, 2014


Euro-Introduction: Cutting Debts Precondition for Poland

Finance Minister Mateusz Szczurek stressed that cutting debts was a key condition for Poland before it could be admitted to the single currency union.
January 29, 2014


Slovenia: Dispute with Croatia Just Begun

Slovenian Foreign Minister Erjavec announced to continue dispute against Croatia.
January 29, 2014


Austria: Government Makes € 1bn for Hypo Group Available in Budget

Nationalized problem bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria has listed a need for state subsidies in the amount between € 400m and € 900m in this year’s downsizing plan.
January 29, 2014


Austria: IHS Against Bank Levy

Christian Keuschnigg, director of the Austrian economic research institute IHS stresses that the bank resolution funds would replace the bank levy.
January 28, 2014


Spindelegger: “No Exploitation of Resolution Funds”

Among the finance ministers in Europe, there are still different perceptions regarding the bank resolution fund.
January 28, 2014


Capital Increase at RBI Hungary

RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International) will make a capital injection of € 55m in its Hungarian affiliate
January 28, 2014


Austria: Opposition Presses for Information

The Austrian Greens demand information in regard to problem bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria.
January 28, 2014


New Czech Government in Dispute

The new Czech government is in dispute even before it was officially sworn in.
January 28, 2014


Poland: New Indices at WSE

GPW, the operator of the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE) will introduce two new indices.
January 28, 2014


Austria: Bank Particpation Still Uncertain

It is still unclear whether the Austrian banks will participate in a downsizing construction of Hypo Group. First results will be presented in February
January 28, 2014


OECD Shows Great Concern over Hungarian Economy

According to the OECD, the country’s recovery from recession will be weak in 2014 and 2015
January 27, 2014


Nowotny: “We Want Clarity“

The governor of the Austrian National Bank presses the government for swift actions to find an acceptable downsizing solution for Hypo Group. Further steps will only be made in February.
January 27, 2014


Restrained Optimism in Polish Financial Market

According to Finance Minister Szczurek, the Polish Financial Market will have to face another challenging year.
January 27, 2014


Bank Austria: Massive Staff Reduction Ahead

Until 2025, Bank Austria will reduce its workforce by 4,000 employees in Austria, Doris Tomanek told the Austrian daily „Presse“. Since 2005, Doris Tomanek works as head of Human Resources CEE.
January 25, 2014


Hypo Group Denies New Capital Shortfall

The nationalized Austrian lender Hypo Group Alpe Adria is said to require fresh founds in the amount of € 500m. The bank´s management claims the opposite.
January 25, 2014


Romania´s President Opposes the IMF

Traian Basescu is strictly against imposing an additional tax on fuel. Whether Romania will achieve the budget target is highly uncertain.
January 24, 2014


Austria: OeNB Forecasts Modest Economic Growth

According to the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) economic growth in Austria only came at 0.3 percent last year.
January 24, 2014


Czech Republic: New Government Appointed in Late January

Zeman expected to appoint even “problematic” candidates.
January 24, 2014


Foreign Banks Leaving Bulgarian Market

In the past three years three non-domestic banks have left the Bulgarian market.
January 24, 2014


RBI Not to Be Sold to Hungarian State

Hungarian Minister Varga announced that the Hungarian state had no interest in taking over RBI’s local affiliate. Instead, RBI announced that staying in Hungary was “the right decision”.
January 23, 2014


Eurozone: Highest Economic Growth in Two Years

The purchase manager index for the private economy increased to 53.2 points up by 1.1 points, as published by Markit research institute on Thursday.
January 23, 2014


Bulgaria Imposes Interest Ceiling on Quick Loans

The Bulgarian parliament plans on putting a lid on the interst rates of quick loans.
January 23, 2014


Poland: PKO BP Bond Rated A2

Rating agency Moody’s gave an “A2” with a negative outlook on the € 500m bond by Polish key lender PKO BP.
January 23, 2014


Hypo Group: Decision Within First Quarter of 2014

The long-awaited meeting between the government and Hypo Group’s taskforce has been fixed to find a solution of the Austrian problem bank. The option of a bank participation is still on top of the list.
January 23, 2014


Austria: Savings to Shrink Further

According to Erste Group, the amount to be saved continues to shrink substantially. What is more, average loan amounts are declining moderately.
January 22, 2014


Uniqa Growing Faster Than Czech Insurance Market

Insurance group Uniqa reveals a significant increase in premiums in the first three quarter in 2013. Moreover, Uniqa showed an increase of CZK 3.3bn in the sector non-life insurance and CZK 877m in life insurances.
January 22, 2014


Bank Dispute between Croatia and Slovenia Reappears

Last year Slovenia was ordered in the first instance to pay back the foreign currency deposits of LB’s former affiliate in Sarajevo.
January 22, 2014


Austria: Debt Rate Rises Unstoppably

In the third quarter last year the Austrian public debt rate increased significantly compared to the previous quarter.
January 22, 2014


Croatia Supports Albania in EU Accession Course

Albania hopes that EU Accession Negotiations will take place in June 2014.
January 22, 2014