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Hypo Group Alpe Adria: Harsh Criticism on Austrian Government
The Austrian opposition blames the government for concealing the biggest financial disaster in Austria´s history. Governor of the Austrian National Bank Ewald Nowotny is under fire too.
February 6, 2014
Fitch Criticizes European Stress Tests
The rating agency argues that there is still a lack in technical details. Regarding the robustness of the stress tests, Fitch demonstrates skepticism.
February 6, 2014
Hypo Group Alpe Adria: Bankruptcy Would Affect Foreign Investors
In case of an unorderly insolvency of the Austrian nationalized lender, not only Austrian creditors would have to absorb losses. The majority of the bondholders are German and Swiss investors.
February 6, 2014
Austrian National Bank: Hypo Bankruptcy Would Cost € 24bn
The nationalized Balkan lender Hypo Group Alpe Adria causes major difficulties. Although the bankruptcy would be the cheapest option for Austrian taxpayers, the Austrian National Bank tries to prevent this scenario by all means.
February 5, 2014
Hypo Group Alpe Adria: Fitch Recommends “Joint Bad Bank”
According to the rating agency, the best alternative is a joint solution between the Austrian state and privately held banks. In return, the bank levy should be reduced, Fitch says.
February 5, 2014
Raiffeisen Bank International: Moody´s Downgrades Ukrainian Subsidiary
Due to the political instability, the U.S. rating agency lowers the rating of Aval Bank, the Ukrainian affiliate of Austrian RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International).
February 5, 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
“Hypo Group Bankruptcy Would Affect RBI Adversely“
According to the Vienna-based Raiffeisen Bank International, both a joint bad bank and Hypo Group´s insolvency have negative consequences on RBI´s share.
February 5, 2014
Poland: Sixteen Banks to be Examined by EBA
In total, sixteen Polish banks will participate in the stress tests carried out by the European Banking Authority.
February 4, 2014
Austrian Government Does Not Rule Out Hypo Group´s Bankruptcy Anymore (2/2)
In the past few weeks, the Austrian government and the Austrian National Bank excluded this alternative categorically. Now, the bankruptcy scenario seems to be an option again.
February 4, 2014
Austrian Government Does Not Rule Out Hypo Group´s Bankruptcy Anymore (1/2)
In the past few weeks, the Austrian government and the Austrian National Bank excluded this alternative categorically. Now, the bankruptcy scenario seems to be an option again.
February 4, 2014
Santander on Circulated Sales Talks: „No Comment“
As reported by Vindobona, Spanish Banco Santander is said to be interest in taking over the fifth largest Austrian lender Bawag. Bawag´s management remains silent on this matter.
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
Hypo Group: Calls for Bankruptcy Become Louder
The Austrian government wants to prevent the bankruptcy of the nationalized lender Hypo Group Alpe Adria. However, there are better arguments for an orderly insolvency.
February 3, 2014
Bulgaria: IMF Puts Pressure on Government
The International Monetary Fund demands Bulgaria´s government to accelerate economic reforms.
February 3, 2014
Serbia: First License Withdrawal of Private Bank
For the first time in the Serbian history, a privately held bank loses its license.
February 3, 2014
Santander Interested in Bawag?
The Spanish Banco Santander is said to be interested in Bawag, the German daily “Handelsblatt” reports.
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
Austria: First Signs of a Credit Crunch
According to the CFO barometer, large enterprises fear that the access to bank loans will continue to worsen. Austrian SME want to become more independent of banks.
February 3, 2014
Suspicious Secrecy in the Cause of Hypo Group Alpe Adria
In the matter of Hypo Group Alpe Adria, the Austrian government acts disconcertingly. Details on the situation of the nationalized banks are still kept as a secret.
February 1, 2014
Hungary: Next Currency Crisis Ahead
The extremely loose monetary policy begins to become a problem for Hungary. The forint exchange rate is going up considerably.
February 1, 2014
Stress Tests Become Harder
Experts expect that not all banks participating in the examination will pass the stress test.
February 1, 2014
KBC Does Not Leave Hungary
The Belgian lender rejected rumors saying that the Hungarian unit may be sold. Not only KBC faces enormous difficulties in Hungary.
February 1, 2014
Croatia: Monetary Interventions to Stabilize Kuna
On Friday the Croatian national bank sold € 240.2m to commercial banks.
January 31, 2014
OTP: Takeover of Croatian Banco Popolare Fixed
On Friday Hungarian OTP signed a deal to take over Croatian affiliate of Italian Banco Popolare.
January 31, 2014
Upgrades for Slovenian Banks
The long-term ratings of three banks were upgraded by Moody’s.
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
Bawag to Be Sold?
According to rumours, the fifth largest Austrian lender may be sold.
January 31, 2014
Poland: PKO BP Plans Keeping High Level of Loans
Poland’s biggest bank PKO BP plans selling consumer loans in the amount of PLN 2bn in every quarter from now on.
January 30, 2014
Austrian Industrial Sector only Sees Weak Recovery
The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) warns about a fragile economic recovery.
January 30, 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
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
Austria: RZB’s Share in RBI Drops Dramatically
The share of Raiffeisen Zentralbank (RZB) in its affiliate Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) drops dramatically after the capital increase.
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
Austria: Sberbank Affected By Further Costs
Sberbank is faced with further aids for Austrian Volksbank International (VBI). So far the Russian bank has pumped a total of € 1.3bn into Sberbank Europe.
January 27, 2014
NLB Closing Moscow Office
The step is part of the restructuring and downsizing procedure.
January 27, 2014
London Roadshow with Austrian Companies
Austrian Companies with Erste Group and the Vienna Stock Exchange on Road Show to London
January 27, 2014
“Croatia Going through Very Difficult Period“
The World Bank calls for structural reforms in the Western Balkan state.
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
Austrian Raiffeisen Sector to Create Risk Fund
In order to establish a cross-guarantee system, the Austrian Raiffeisen sector has to create a risk fund in the amount of € 400m.
January 27, 2014
Hypo Group Alpe Adria: Austrian Government Is Helpless
The nationalized lender urgently needs a sustainable future concept. In reality, however, uncertainty is dominating.
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