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Austria: „El Dorado for Borrowers“
According to Bank Austria´s management board member Dieter Hengl, Austria is an oasis for borrowers. Interest rates have reached an all-time low.
January 4, 2014
Austria: Hard Times for Regional Banks
Not only large banks are under pressure. In 2014, Austrian regional banks expect enormous challenges to deal with.
December 31, 2013
Hungary: Best Economic Outlook since 2002
After the country had left the double-dip recession, the Hungarian economic sentiment index has reached the highest level in more than 11 years. Nevertheless, the country still has to manage number of fundamental risks.
December 28, 2013
Austria: „Lending Becomes More Expensive”
In an interview with the Austrian daily “Presse”, CEO of Hypo Vorarlberg Michael Grahammer talks about the future lending conditions. The corporate sector faces a drastic increase in borrowing costs.
December 27, 2013
Rothensteiner: Austrian Sovereign Debt Rating Includes Bank Bail-Out
Unlike the rating agency Moody´s, head of RZB (Raiffeisen Zentralbank) Walter Rothensteiner thinks that the Austrian sovereign debt rating is not endangered by the nationalized banking sector.
December 20, 2013
Austria: S&P Keeps Rating Unchanged
The U.S. rating agency confirms the “AA+” rating for Austrian sovereign bonds. An upgrade is unlikely in the next years.
December 19, 2013
Hypo Group´s Bankruptcy: Major Threat for Raiffeisen Sector
In case of Hypo Group Alpe Adria´s bankruptcy, the Austrian banking sector would have to absorb enormous write-offs. Above all, mortgage institutions in the Raiffeisen sector would be endangered.
December 19, 2013
NBS: Moderate Rise in Inflation
Moderate rise of inflation expected by the National Bank of Serbia (NBS).
December 16, 2013
VIG: Sale of Bulgarian Affiliate Failed
Vienna Insurance Group has to find a new buyer for the Bulgarian pension fund Doverie. United Capital, the potential buyer of Doverie has lost its bank license.
December 16, 2013
Slovenia: Haircut for Junior Bondholders
Subordinated bond holders of the state-owned Slovenian banks will lose their investments completely. This is part of the recapitalization scheme.
December 14, 2013
Austrians Hold More Cash Reserves
According to the Austrian National Bank, Austrian savers have reduced their deposits at Austrian banks. In return, cash reserves have risen.
December 12, 2013
Ten Capital Market Themes for 2014 by Raiffeisenbank
Leading indicators show a recovery of global growth.
December 11, 2013
Slovenia: Bank Bailout Plan Is Completed
Tomorrow, December 12, the results of the bank asset review will be published. The next steps have been determined already in advance.
December 11, 2013
Wifo: Austrian Economic Growth Still Sluggish
Seasonally adjusted and corrected for working day effects, GDP increased by 0.2 percent compared to the second quarter. The upturn becomes evident only in a very moderate pace.
December 9, 2013
Major Changes in Hungarian Banking Industry Ahead
The Hungarian government comes closer to its objective. Foreign banks are leaving the country step by step.
December 7, 2013
Austrian FDI Worth Less than in 2003
Due to the financial crisis after 2008, foreign investments of Austrian investors have lost in value dramatically.
December 7, 2013
Sale of Hypo Group: Small Number of Potential Buyers
In 2014, Hypo Group´s assets will be sold. It is not certain whether there will be a bad bank or not. Even a bankruptcy is not completely excluded.
December 7, 2013
Austria to Raise Capital of up to € 30bn
In 2014, the Austria state will raise capital in the amount of € 28bn to 30bn from international capital markets. This year around € 29bn were raised.
December 6, 2013
Erste Group: Shareholder Structure Changes
The core shareholder of Erste Group continues to reduce its stake in the third-biggest Austrian banking group.
December 5, 2013
ECB: Debates about Further Measures in Monetary Policy
Today the 23 member of the European Central Bank’s Council have initiated debates about the the stance of monetary policy. The base rate, lowered to 0.25 percent last month, is expected to remain unchanged.
December 5, 2013
UniCredit: Withdrawal from Hungary as Potential Option
UniCredit does not completely rule out a withdrawal from the Hungarian market in case further burdens will be imposed on banking institutes.
December 4, 2013
Bank of Albania Presses for Agreement with IMF
The Albanian economy from short-term adjustment toward long-term sustainable growth. Why Albania needs an agreement with the IMF.
December 4, 2013
Hungary: Matolcsy Demands Resignation of EU Commissioner
György Matolcsy, Governor of the Hungarian National Bank (MNB), demands a better rating for Hungary and the resignation of EU Commissioner Olli Rehn.
December 2, 2013
Hungary: Economic Acceleration Takes Form
According to French BNP, the Hungarian economy starts to grow again. Nevertheless, the banking industry does not face better times yet.
November 29, 2013
Sevelda: „We Are Close to the Breaking Point“
In a guest comment published by the Austrian business magazine Format, CEO of Raiffeisen Bank International Karl Sevelda refers to the high burden for Austrian banks.
November 29, 2013
Serbia: Further Austerity Measures Probable
In October, Serbia´s government has resolved a drastic austerity package.
November 27, 2013
Hungary: Monetary Policy Eases Further
Today, Hungary´s National Bank (MNB) has cut the two-week deposit rate to 3.2% from 3.4%. The government is optimistic that the monetary easing will help Hungary´s economy.
November 26, 2013
Hypo Investigations Could Last Several More Years
Yesterday the first court proceeding at the Regional Higher Court in Munich started. Investigations in Austria will take up to four years.
November 26, 2013
Poland: IMF Corrects Growth Forecast Upward
Growth forecasts for next year were increased by 0.3 percent by IMF.
November 25, 2013
Slovenia: Stress Tests Result Published on December 13
Bostjan Jazbec, governor of the Slovenian National Bank (SNB), is optimistic that no Slovenian bank will have to be liquidated.
November 23, 2013
Romania Faces Upgrade
Next year, Romanian sovereign bonds may be upgraded by Standard & Poor´s.
November 23, 2013
Croatia: Amendmends to Cosumer Credit Law
Interest rates on housing loans pegged to Swiss Franc dropped by 30 percent.
November 22, 2013
Pressure on Slovenia Dampens
After Slovenia´s governing coalition has won the vote of confidence, the yield on Slovenian sovereign bonds is going down slightly.
November 22, 2013
Capital Shortfall at European Banks
According to Boston Consulting Group, European Banks still have much work to do.
November 19, 2013
Slovenia Issues New Eurobonds
The issuance of a new bond in the amount of € 1.5bn on Friday came as surprise as Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek has annouced earlier no such measures will be made until the beginning of the new year.
November 18, 2013
Hungary: Level of Credit Defaults Declining Significantly
According to OTP Bank, the level of credit defaults from borrowers has started to drop to the lowest level since the beginning of the financial and economic crisis.
November 15, 2013
Croatia: IMF as Last Exit
It is likely that the ailing country is seeking assistance from the IMF. Borrowing in 2014 is risky, Finance Minister Slavko Linic said.
November 11, 2013
Macedonia: Foreign Currency Lending Massively Up
Parents of Macedonian banks have only very limited influence on their subsidiaries, the EBRD reports.
November 9, 2013
Bulgarian Banks Suffer from Low Customer Creditworthiness
According to the EBRD, the Bulgarian banks are a source of funding for their parents.
November 9, 2013
Serbian Banking Sector: Weak Regulatory Environment
In the last years, Serbia´s banking industry did not record any significant growth impulses. Foreign-exchange loans were reduced substantially.
November 9, 2013
Romanian Banking Sector Highly Centralized
The EBRD has observed a high proportion of banks reporting that the parent bank´s influence is high.
November 9, 2013
Slovenia: Domestic Banks Dominate the Market
According to the EBRD, Slovenia´s banking industry is faced with a declining credit demand. A lack in funding has become less acute.
November 9, 2013
Croatia´s Banking Sector Remains Competitive
The Croat legal system is perceived as major weakness. Credit demand is going down for years.
November 9, 2013
Frame Conditions for Banks Remain Difficult in Hungary
The Hungarian banking sector is highly dissatisfied with the regulation environment, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development reported.
November 9, 2013
Slovakia: Weak Credit Demand
Due to the lack of credit demand, lending is below its potential. Foreign banks in Slovakia are relatively independent from their parents.
November 9, 2013
Czech Banking Sector Strongly Influenced by Foreign Banks
The EBRD has published the “Banking Environment Performance Survey”. Foreign parent banks exert a strong influence on their subsidiaries.
November 9, 2013
Poland: Solid Banking Sector
According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the perceived regulation pressure is too high for Poland´s banking sector.
November 9, 2013
Albania: Domestic Banks Struggling to Keep Up
According to a report by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Albanian financial sector is dominated by foreign banks. Domestic banks are struggling to keep up with the internationally operating competition.
November 8, 2013
Interest Rate Cut: “Very Effective Property Tax“
Economists have judged the ECB’s cut in interest rate differently. According to Brezinschek, chief analyst at Raiffeisen International, savers that are not involved in speculative investments will not benefit from the latest key rate cut.
November 8, 2013
Eurozone: Key Rate At Record Low
Low inflation was reason for ECB to lower key rate again by 0.25 percent.
November 7, 2013
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