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Vienna International Professional Services Industry News
Read the latest headlines about developments in the international service industry in Vienna and Austria


Lithuania: Problem with Ūkio Bankas Solved

The newest Lithuanian financial market data show that the market participants positively assessed the solution chosen by the Bank of Lithuania to deal with the problem of Ūkio bankas.
March 25, 2013


Croatia: Sluggish Economic Recovery

The improvement in the financing conditions in international financial markets in the second half of 2012 mitigated the risks to Croatias financial stability to an extent.
March 25, 2013


Czech Republic: Confidence in Domestic Economy Inreased Marginally

Overall confidence in domestic economy increased slightly in March. The composite confidence indicator (economic sentiment indicator) increased by 0.2 points compared to February.
March 25, 2013


Cyprus: Agreement on Bank Asset Tax

Today, the Cyprian government has come to a solution on the compulsory charges on bank accounts.
March 23, 2013


Cyprus: Votes on Mandatory Levy

In case the government will not come to conclusion how to generate the required money (€ 5.8bn), the ECB will cut off the money supply for Cyprus’ ramshackle banks.
March 23, 2013


Meinl Needs to Reimburse Starbet Investors

The Regional High Court (OLG) in Vienna has passed the judgement that Meinl Bank has to compensate sports betting company Starbet
March 23, 2013


VBAG to Sell Malta Affiliate

VBAG is going to sell its small Malta subsidiary in the course of the EU downsizing program which the banking institute has commited to.
March 23, 2013


Fekter: “Austrians can rest easy knowing that their bank deposits are safe.”

Current situation in Cyprus is an exceptional case and not comparable in any way with Austria.
March 22, 2013


Cyprus: Negotiations About “Plan B“ Today

After days of negotiations in Moscow, Cyprian Finance Minister had to return empty-handed. Talks about “plan B” will continue today.
March 22, 2013


Hypo Group’s Silence Bewilders Bayern LB

Bayern LB is puzzled as to why former affiliate, Carithian Hypo Group, has not shown any efforts to state their position before court.
March 21, 2013


RBI to Acquire More Clients in Romania

RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International) is attaining a portfolio of private clients by Citibank via affiliate Raiffeisen Bank S. A.
March 21, 2013


National Bank of Slovenia Reports Slowing Growth

The banking system’s total assets were down by € 88.5m in January or 6.6% y/y. The banks repaid liabilities to foreign banks in the amount of € 171m and to the Eurosystem in the amount of € 78m.
March 21, 2013


Hungary: Gross Earnings Increased Marginally

In the national economy – at corporations employing at least 5 persons, budgetary and designated non-profit institutions – average gross earnings increased by 2.5%, while net earnings excluding family tax benefits grew by 3.9% compared to 2011.
March 21, 2013


Cyprus: No Hope in Sight Yet

It is still uncertain if an agreement with Russia about the sale of gas fields can be found. President of the EU commission has joined the talks in Moscow.
March 20, 2013


Hungary: Personnel Purge at MNB

New govenor of the Hungarian Central Bank (MNB) György Matolcsy continues his purge.
March 20, 2013


Good Year for Austrian Banks in 2012

The consolidated financial statements after tax and minority shares increased from € 711m to € 2.97bn.
March 20, 2013


CA Immo: Major Drop in Profits

On Tuesday evening, CA Immo published the annual figures for 2012. The market-listed real estate company shows profits of € 48.6m which means a decrease of 28 %.
March 20, 2013


Cyprus Appeals for Help to Russia

In a vote on Tuesday the government has decided not to use the private money of Cyprus‘ citizens to help bail out the banks. After the rejection, the EU aid package is now off. Cyprus hopes rest on Russia at this point.
March 20, 2013


Cyprus: Parliament Rejects EU Bail-Out Package

Not a single member of the Cyprian parliament has voted in favor of the controversial plan where a compulsary levy for all creditors was planned.
March 19, 2013


Bank Austria To Boost Capital Base

CEO Cernko wants Eastern Europe to play an important role again in the future.
March 19, 2013


Hypo Shows Improved Results for CESEE and Austria

Hypo Group achieved a result close to break-even in 2012 with € 3.0m after tax. Total assets drop below € 34bn (2011: € 35.1bn). Net interest income drops y/y from € 753.3 m to EUR 678.4 m (almost 10 %).
March 19, 2013


Cyprus: Small Investors To Be Excluded From Tax

After protests among Cyprus‘ citizens arised and harsh criticism was expressed, the government now intends to exclude small savers from the compulsary tax and grant them a relief.
March 19, 2013


Czech Republic: Opposition Rejects Austerity Measures

Opposition leader Sobotka was re-elected last Friday as chairman of the Social Democrats. In an interview with Reuters he explains why the government needs to slow down on austerity measures.
March 18, 2013


Austria: Investigation Against VBAG Board Members

The Austrian Justice is currently investigating a case of the Austrian Volksbanken AG (VBAG) where three former board members are accused of having forged balance sheets. Board director CEO Michael Mendel is not among the suspects.
March 18, 2013


Cyprus: Parliament Votes Tomorrow For Rescue Package

The Cyprian parliament is unlikely to vote in favor for the rescue package which forces bank clients to contribute with their private money.
March 18, 2013


Bank Austria's Profits Under Pressure

In the fourth quarter, Bank Austria has recorded a net loss of € 676m. In the whole year, CEE division showed a profit before tax of € 1.712bn which is an increase of 6 % compared to 2011. One-off charges totalled € 879m.
March 18, 2013


Austria Pays Almost € 300m in Greek Aid

Eurosystem gives away profits from support operations of Greek government bonds. € 281m comes from Austria.
March 16, 2013


Bank Austria Takes Drastic Measures

Because of selling the Kazakhstan division and bad credits, quarter losses of € 553m for parent company UniCredit have to be faced.
March 16, 2013


Cyprus to Receive € 10bn in EU Aid Money

Russia being the biggest investor in Cyprus offered extension of credits. In return, austerity measures and reforms are demanded.
March 16, 2013


VBAG is Forced to Continue Radical Downsizing Measures

The partly nationalized and financially stricken Austrian banking group has to implement a painful restructuring concept. At the moment, VBAG sells its properties.
March 15, 2013


Bank Austria to Sell ATF

Bank Austria will sell its affiliation in Kazakhstan, ATF Bank, which was acquired in 2007. ATF made losses into the billions.
March 15, 2013


Poland: Inflation Decreasing

Declining inflation was supported by weaker demand and cost pressures in the economy, decrease in energy price growth as well as zloty exchange rate stronger than a year ago.
March 15, 2013


Romania: Surplus in Balance of Payments

In January, the balance-of-payments current account posted a surplus of EUR 465 million Y/Y.
March 15, 2013


Russia: Former Economy Minister To Become New Governor Of Central Bank

Former economy minister Elvira Nabiullina will take over the post of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) Governor.
March 14, 2013


Russia: Banks At Risk Of Losing Billions

According to rating agency Moody’s, Russians banking institutes are at risk of losing money to investments in Cyprus.
March 14, 2013


Austrian Banks to Stay in Hungary

In the coming years, foreign banks will face a difficult market environment in Hungary. Nevertheless, Austrian banks want to maintain their position.
March 14, 2013


Croatia: HRK 380m To Be Paid Into The State Budget

At its session today, the Croatian National Bank (CNB) Council examined the latest monetary and economic indicators as well as a report on the banking system condition in the last quarter of 2012.
March 14, 2013


Slovenia: New Coalition Stands

Slovenia´s new Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek is the head of a four-party-coalition.
March 13, 2013


Orban Wants to Strengthen Hungarian Banks

According to Hungary´s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the high share of foreign banks is “unhealthy”.
March 13, 2013


Bawag: Solid Operating Performance in 2012

Profit after tax (without restructuring expenses) of € 153.2m slightly above last year’s level.
March 13, 2013


Improvement on the Czech Commercial Real Estate Market in Sight?

Bank Austria sees anti-cyclical investment opportunities in the Czech Republic and CEE. The Czech Republic offers a low country risk and transparent real estate market.
March 13, 2013


Erste Group to Take over BCR Completely

The Austrian banking group launches a permanent buy-out offer for minority shareholders of BCR.
March 13, 2013


S Immo AG: New Contracts in Bucharest and Sofia

New tenants in Serdika/Sofia and Sun Offices/Bucharest. Stock exchange listed S IMMO AG has again achieved letting successes in Romania and Bulgaria – two markets that continue to be economically challenging.
March 12, 2013


Austria: Hypo Group Still Sailing in Stormy Waters

Hypo Group wants a fast selling until the end of 2013. Vending of Italian and CESEE subsidiaries could take longer as the economic situation is not appealing at the moment.
March 12, 2013


Austria: Nationalizing Hypo Group Prevented BayernLB from Losses

EU Competition Commission pushes the Austrian government to shut down the loss-making Hypo Group.
March 11, 2013


Slovenia/Croatia: Paving the Way for Brussels

Today, both heads of government, Janez Jansa and Zoran Milanovic, signed the “Memorandum of Understanding” in Mokrice which will permit Croatia to become a full EU member.
March 11, 2013


Austria: Hypo Gets Additional € 700m From State

The EU threatens to close down Hypo Group because of the overdue restructuring measures.
March 9, 2013


Belgrade Initiative to Support Serbia´s Financial System

The first meeting of the Belgrade Initiative, a host country cross-border banking forum, was held in Belgrade today.
March 8, 2013


Hungary: OTP’s Profits Lower Than Expected for Q4

OTP said it had to recover from losses from previous year. Income in the core domestic business fell 17 % to HUF 94.6 bn in 2012. Still, net profits are up 46 %.
March 8, 2013


Czech Republic: Erste Group Cutting More Jobs

Because Erste Group has to save CZK 1bn (€ 39m) this year, economy measures need to be taken.
March 8, 2013