Sponsored Content
Croatia
Another Emergency at Hypo Group Alpe Adria
The series of bad news does not come to an end. After enormous capital injections in 2013, the nationalized Austrian lender again needs help from the Austrian state.
January 24, 2014
Croatia: S&P Downgrades Rating
Standard&Poors; has downgraded Croatia’s rating to “BB”. The outloock on the long-term rating for the country is at least “stable”.
January 24, 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
Croatia Supports Albania in EU Accession Course
Albania hopes that EU Accession Negotiations will take place in June 2014.
January 22, 2014
“No Real Wage Loss This Year“
In terms of real wages, Austria may face a trend reversal this year. In Southeastern Europe, by contrast, poverty is growing considerably.
January 21, 2014
Croatia: Hungarian OTP to Acquire Banco Popolare Croatia
OTP will, according to media reports, take over Banco Popolare Croatia which has a market share of only 0.56 percent.
January 21, 2014
Croatia: “Loose Monetary Policy Shows First Signs of Success”
Boris Vujcic, governor of HNB (Croatian National Bank) thinks that the quantitative easing policy works.
January 17, 2014
Croatian Economy Suffers from Low Investor Confidence
In the first nine months of 2013, FDI continued to shrink. However, the FDI will improve gradually, analysts say.
January 16, 2014
CESEE: Massive Increase in Real Estate Investments
In Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, the total volume of real estate transactions totaled € 10.bn last year. Most transactions were recorded in Russia and Poland.
January 15, 2014
IMF and EBRD Deeply Concerned Over CESEE
Foreign banks continue to withdraw capital from the region. According to the International Monetary Fund, the development is highly considerable.
January 14, 2014
Europe/CESEE: Heavy Trade in Distressed Assets
Until 2018, European lenders will offload about 300bn of bad debts, according to PwC. Above all, U.S. private equity firms are taking the opportunity.
January 11, 2014
Romania: Slight Increase in FX Reserves
In December 2013 FX reserves increased slightly compared to the previous month.
January 7, 2014
Southeastern Europe Endangered of Civil Unrests
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, several CESEE countries may face civil unrests in 2014. In particular, Southeastern Europe is in the danger zone.
January 4, 2014
CEE: Economic Sentiment Cautiously Optimistic
The economic sentiment for Eastern European countries is becoming more optimistic, however, only cautiously. Poland is on top of the list of economists at JP Morgan.
January 2, 2014
Croatia: National Bank Forecasts Decent Growth in 2014
Private and public consumption are anticipated to shrink further. Nevertheless, Croatia is expected to return to growth next year.
December 31, 2013
Croatia: Real Estate Market Crisis Goes On
After the collapse of the Croat real estate market in 2009/10, the price decrease still holds on.
December 30, 2013
Croatia Needs Major Bridge Loan
In order to cover its fiscal shortfall, the youngest EU member country takes a bridge loan in the amount of € 200m.
December 28, 2013
Hypo Group: Austrian Government Seems Aimless
Although the restructuring of the nationalized Austrian lender is one of the most pressing issues, the Austrian government could not present a sound concept yet.
December 27, 2013
CESEE: Dependence on Foreign Demand Remains Main Obstacle
In 2014, Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe (CESEE) faces a slight upward trend. The structural difficulties persist, however.
December 21, 2013
Stable Outlook for CESEE Banking Industry
According to the U.S. rating agency fitch, the sector outlook remains stable in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. However, the well-known risks and weaknesses will persist.
December 19, 2013
CESEE: Potential to Return to Pre-Crisis Growth
According to a report published by the business adviser McKinsey, countries of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe are fundamentally strong.
December 18, 2013
Poland: PZU Places Binding Offer for Croatia Osiguranje
Polish insurance company PZU places a binding offer for Croatia Osiguranje (CO).
December 17, 2013
Croatia: Privatization of HPB Fails
The privatization of the Croat Postal Bank (HPB) has failed for the time being. For the potential buyers, HPB is too risky.
December 13, 2013
Croatia: Major Investments to Boost Economic Growth
The Croatian government on Thursday adopted an investment plan for 2014 which includes large-scale investments, amounting to as much as HRK 73.1 billion.
December 13, 2013
Croatia: Erste Offer Rejected
Austrian Erste Group intended to aquire Croatian HPB. However, the offer was rejected by the Finance Ministry as the purchase price was considered too low.
December 13, 2013
Austrian GDP per Capita Second-Highest in EU
In terms of GDP per capita, Austria is the second-richest EU country.
December 12, 2013
Austrian Banking Industry Depends on Russia and Czech Republic
For the Austrian banking sector, the CESEE region is highly heterogeneous. In the first six months of 2013, net earnings totaled € 1.4bn in the region.
December 12, 2013
Croatia: EU Introduces Excessive Deficit Procedure
In the last years, Croatia´s fiscal situation has deteriorated considerably. Not only the budget deficit remains above 3.0% of GDP, but also the public debt quota has climbed above 60% of GDP.
December 11, 2013
EU/CESEE: Real Income Shrinks
In 2013, the real income will do down in Austria. Since 2010, the Austrian real income was down by 1.3%. In Hungary, real income fell by 15% in that period.
December 9, 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
Croatia Ready for Allocation of EU Funds
Croatia has been given access to 1.12 billion euros in all EU programmes.
December 6, 2013
Croatia: New Difficulties for Borrowers Ahead
The Croat banking sector pegs the interest rates to the EURIBOR. Consumers may have to pay higher borrowing costs.
December 6, 2013
„We Can Exclude a Bankruptcy of Hypo Group”
Ewald Nowotny, governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) and Klaus Liebscher, head of Hypo Group´s supervisory board argue that the nationalized bank will be downsized according to plan.
November 29, 2013
CESEE: Slight Growth Acceleration, but Uncertainties Persist
The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw) has published the economic forecast for the CESEE region today. The economic performance varies substantially from country to country.
November 28, 2013
Croatia: Milanovic Promises Economic Recovery
Prime Minister vows that Croatia's economy will be put on a sounder footing.
November 28, 2013
Croatia: HNB Pushes Credits
According to reports by Reuters, the Croatian National Bank (HNB) intends to issue HRK 4bn (US-$ 707m) to support credits. Further details will be published by the Central Bank later this week.
November 27, 2013
CESEE: Austrian Banks Face New Challenges
For Austrian banks, the assessment by the ECB may bring new difficulties. Non-performing loans in CESEE are said to be higher than officially known.
November 26, 2013
Dispute about NLB Reignites between Slovenia and Croatia
Damaged savers of NLB filed lawsuit against the bank at the European Court for Human Rights.
November 26, 2013
Wide Parts of CESEE Region Below Pre-Crisis Level
In terms of economic output, a large number of CESEE countries have not reached the level of 2008 yet. The growth outlook remains cautious.
November 25, 2013
Croatia: Amendmends to Cosumer Credit Law
Interest rates on housing loans pegged to Swiss Franc dropped by 30 percent.
November 22, 2013
Nowotny: Must Avoid Bubble in CESEE
In order to avoid another asset bubble like in 2008, loan growth has to be monitored, governor of Austrian National Bank Ewald Nowotny says.
November 19, 2013
Linic: No Aid from IMF Needed
According to Croatia´s Minister of Finance Slavko Linic, the country will manage the financial crisis on its own.
November 15, 2013
IMF Puts Pressure on Croatia
Although Croatia´s economic situation will improve slightly next year, the country is seen as next bail-out candidate. The International Monetary Fund wants Croatia to accelerate economic reforms.
November 12, 2013
Half of Austrians Consider the Country Stuck in Recession
According to an online survey, the Austrians are confident and not concerned by the most recent recession in the Eurozone. With a total of 87 index points consumer’s confidence remained stable in the third quarter of 2013.
November 12, 2013
Triglav: No Expansion in Croatia
The biggest Slovenian insurance company planned to increase its stake in Croatia Osiguranje. Croatia´s government rejected Triglav´s offer.
November 11, 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
Hypo Group: Urgent Need for Fresh Money
The ailing nationalized bank Austrian Hypo Group Alpe Adria has a capital shortfall of € 1.3bn. The gap must be closed before the end of the year.
November 11, 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
Croatia Under Brussel´s Observation
The new EU member country fights against a number of economic problems. Now, the EU-Commission considers starting an excessive deficit procedure.
November 7, 2013
Banking Sector Reduces Lending
Instead of offering loans to the corporate sector, banks tend to invest in sovereign bonds. The CESEE region is particularly affected by this.
November 6, 2013
Fast News Search
