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Government Support for the Hypo Group
The Hypo Group is still far away the end of restructuring. Losses between € 700m and € 900m are expected for this year. The state gives a guarantee for 500m.
December 13, 2010
The Croatia-Connection of the Hypo Group
The recent arrest of former Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader casts shadows on the Carinthian Hypo Group.
December 10, 2010
Is Austria a Risk Country?
Due to its engagement in Eastern Europe, Austria is partially considered as a potential risk country. Lack of understanding for this assessment is shown by Austria.
December 10, 2010
Economic Chamber: No More Credit Crunch for Austria’s Businesses
A study by the Austrian Economic Chamber shows the high level of satisfaction of local businesses with their banks: the credit crunch has disappeared.
December 10, 2010
Bavaria: "Hypo-Sale was Correct"
The issue Hypo Alpe Adria preoccupies not only the Austrian justice: Bavaria's Prime Minister Horst Seehofer defended the sale to Austria.
December 8, 2010
Austrian National Bank: Credit Shortage Has Been Overcome
The analysis of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB, Austrian National Bank) on loan growth shows slowly recovering credit dynamics in Austria.
December 8, 2010
Financing Requirements for Building Societies
According to Basel-III regulations Austrian building societies will require amounts in the hundreds of millions to equip themselves with sufficient equity.
December 8, 2010
Raiffeisen Bank International's direct bank Zuno launches in Slovakia
Zuno, which target Internet-focused customers, launches operations in Slovakia. Additional CEE countries will follow in 2011.
December 6, 2010
New Regulations for Bank Managers' Bonuses
Additional compensations for managers in the banking sector are subject to new regulations approved by the Austrian National Council. Payments will be deferred in time.
December 5, 2010
Hypo Group: Motives for Purchase of BayernLB Unexplained
In 2007, when the Carinthian Hypo Group Alpe Adria was sold to the BayernLB, there were many critical technical opinions. The Bavarians bought despite them.
December 5, 2010
Equity Requirements of Austrian Banks are € 18 billion
Due to the new Basel III regulations, Austrian banks will need a much stronger capital base by 2019. The estimation is € 15 billion to € 18 billion.
December 2, 2010
U.S. Sees Money Laundering Activities at Austrian Banks
Wikileaks has published notes of the U.S. Embassy in Vienna. There were allegedly money exchanges between Austrian banks and criminals.
December 2, 2010
Bawag is Profitable Again
The Austrian bank Bawag PSK, now owned by the U.S. fund Cerberus, is to have profits again this year: € 100m are expected.
December 2, 2010
Government Adapts Capital Gains Tax on Securities
Taxation will be implemented from October 1; loss compensation is allowed. There are no essential changes however.
November 29, 2010
Risk Exposure of Austrian Banks: € 32 billion
The volume that Austria's banks hold at the moment in the altogether not risk-free PIIGS countries (Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece), is € 32 billion.
November 25, 2010
Wiener Privatbank SE Announces Q1-Q3 2010 Results
Wiener Privatbank records slightly decreasing results
November 24, 2010
Volksbanken Group Announces Q3 Results
Österreichische Volksbanken-AG Group (VBAG) returns on a positive growth path. The turnaround has been successfully completed.
November 22, 2010
BKS and BTV Show Profit Growth
The two sister banks report strong profits. Expectations are cautiously optimistic.
November 22, 2010
UniCredit: Expansion to the Czech Republic, Poland and Turkey
UniCredit’s subsidiary Bank Austria functions as an Eastern Europe Holding. 40% of the net income of the group comes from the region by now.
November 19, 2010
Hypo Tirol Regroups
The Tyrolean Hypo Bank AG is planning a new market direction, staff restructuring and financial consolidation.
November 16, 2010
Austria's Exposure in Ireland: 3.4 Billion Euro
Since September 2009, Austrian banks have halved their exposure in Ireland. The most affected countries are the United Kingdom and Germany.
November 15, 2010
ATX: Institutional Investors Remain a Central Component
According to a study from Ipreo, especially Anglo American institutional investors are involved in ATX companies in addition to Austrian investors.
November 15, 2010
Basel III: Banks Expect Lower Profits
Private banks will have to adjust to lower profits because of Basel III regulations..
November 11, 2010
A-Tec: No Agreement Yet
According to the boss of the Kreditorenschutzverbandes (KSV, Creditor Protection Association), Hans-Georg Kantner, there will still be no solution on today Monday. Negotiations are still underway.
November 8, 2010
Bank Boss Confirms: Bank Tax will be Passed on to Customers
Massive criticism of the federal government is also coming now from the boss of Raiffeisen Zentralbank (RZB). Bank customers will have to bear both the bank tax and the securities tax.
November 8, 2010
A-Tec: Compromise Between Banks and Creditors
The creditors of the ailing industrial group A-Tec have been able to reach a compromise with the banks to provide further financing for the Group.
November 5, 2010
Bawag and Post Seal Cooperation
BAWAG and the Post want to enter into a symbiosis and create their own nationwide network of branches throughout Austria by 2012.
November 4, 2010
A-Tec: Financing Only Secured Until January
The plan of the creditors' committee was rejected. The Banks are consulting with each other for the financing of the ailing A-Tec group, after which the creditors’ committee will present a new proposal to the credit institutions.
November 2, 2010
Identification Required for Savings Account Withdrawals
Since November 1, the implementation of the EU directive on anti-money laundering is in force. Customers therefore need not only a password, but also identification for a savings account withdrawal.
November 2, 2010
A-Tec: Banks Working on Counter-Proposal
After the fruitless negotiations, the banks plan to draw up a counterproposal. In addition, a British investor is showing interest in joining.
October 30, 2010
Volksbank: Greater Efficiency by Downsizing
The Austrian Volksbank AG (ÖVAG) has not been able to reach a cooperation with other domestic banks. The deal with the BAWAG failed. Now, the Volksbank is looking for alternatives.
October 30, 2010
Kovats in Distress: Rescue Package Must Stand Firm by Monday
The coming days are of utmost relevance for Mirko Kovats’s insolvent A-Tec Group. The rescue package must be ready by Monday.
October 29, 2010
Bank Tax: Only 185 Million Remain for the Federation
In negotiations with the provinces, the federal government surprisingly yields to pressures: proceeds from the bank tax will be divided.
October 29, 2010
Lending Policy of Banks is Stabilized
Results for Austria of the October 2010 credit business survey in the euro area
October 28, 2010
Bank Tax: Demands for Time Limit Becoming Louder
Financial politicians and banking representatives already argue before approval of the draft law, if the bank tax to be introduced in 2011 is going to have a time limit.
October 27, 2010
IMF Considers Recovery as "Moderate and Uneasy"
Growth in Europe seems to be normalizing slowly. Dynamism is missing though, and many vulnerabilities are as yet unresolved.
October 20, 2010
Hypo-Group: Bavarian Lawsuit Against Carinthia
The balance sheet of the Hypo Group -nationalized in 2009- was artificially inflated, according to the accusation from Bavaria.
October 18, 2010
Supervision of Banks: Austria and Russia Intensify Cooperation
A Memorandum of Understanding just signed facilitates cooperation in banking supervision between the two countries.
October 18, 2010
OeNB Governor Nowotny Contradicts the Deutsche Bundesbank
"The ECB should not give up purchasing bonds". Although the bond purchase program of the ECB was not needed in recent weeks, Nowotny wants to go on having it "in reserve”. The German Bundesbank warns of a too late withdrawal.
October 13, 2010
Post and Bawag Join Branches
BAWAG PSK and the Post have agreed to work together more closely. BAWAG branches and larger post offices will offer in future both postal and banking services.
October 13, 2010
Global Financial Market System: Norbert Walter Urges for Regulation of Financial Markets
Economist Norbert Walter discussed world financial markets with Lower Austria Deputy Governor Sobotka and Hypo Lower Austria Chairman of the Board Harold at the HYPO Invest Club.
October 12, 2010
RZB Group Tatra banka among Lead Managers for Slovak Republic EUR 2 Billion Benchmark Bond
Tatra Banka (RZB Group), HSBC, SG CIB and UniCredit Bank Slovakia placed a Slovak Republic issue with a maturity of fifteen years.
October 11, 2010
Raiffeisen Bank International: Official Start of Business
The merger was concluded successfully and effectively with the company's entry into the commercial register. RZB remains unchanged as the central institution of the Raiffeisen Bank Group in Austria and corporate headquarters for the whole RZB Group.
October 11, 2010
Hypo Alpe-Adria: 25% of the Slovenian Merkur DIY Chain Put Up for Sale
Hypo Alpe-Adria-Bank International has put up for sale a 25% share of Merkur, the insolvent Slovenian DIY and home improvement products chain, in the daily newspaper "Delo”
October 5, 2010
Brokerjet intends to expand into Poland
The Austrian online broker Brokerjet, a subsidiary of ecetra Central European e-finance AG (ecetra means Erste Bank Central European Trading), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Erste Bank Group, is already active in the Czech Republic and Slovenia.
October 1, 2010
UniCredit SpA has appointed Federico Ghizzoni as its new chief executive
Italy's biggest bank UniCredit SpA named central and eastern European head Federico Ghizzoni its chief executive as expected on Thursday and underscored its commitment to an international role.
October 1, 2010
Raiffeisen Invests in New Branches in the Czech Republic
Raiffeisenbank a.s., the fifth largest bank in the Czech Republic, expands its network of branches in the neighboring country.
September 29, 2010
BayernLB has to Wait 7 Years for 3.9 Billion from Carinthia
After the debacle of the Hypo Group Alpe Adria (HGAA), the Bayerische Landesbank will have to wait up to 7 years for the repayment of the 3.9 billion euro. The repayment plan provides for this period.
September 28, 2010
Meinl Bank Pays 6 Million Euro: Airport Intl. and Power Intl. Reach a Partial Agreement
Meinl Bank and International Power pull back all the claims against each other, except those in the arbitration court.
September 27, 2010
UniCredit: Andrea Orcel is Possible Successor to Profumo
Andrea Orcel, chief executive of the Global Banking and Markets division of Bank of America Merrill Lynch is rumored to be the favorite in the race to succeed the retiring UniCredit CEO Alessandro Profumo.
September 24, 2010
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