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Czech Republic
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
Czech Republic: New Government Appointed in Late January
Zeman expected to appoint even “problematic” candidates.
January 24, 2014
Uniqa Growing Faster Than Czech Insurance Market
Insurance group Uniqa reveals a significant increase in premiums in the first three quarter in 2013. Moreover, Uniqa showed an increase of CZK 3.3bn in the sector non-life insurance and CZK 877m in life insurances.
January 22, 2014
Immofinanz Group Expands Further into Slovenia and the Czech Republic
The Austrian real estate group continues to implement its “STOP.SHOP.” retail warehouse chain concept.
January 21, 2014
Czech Economy to Grow Not Sooner than 2016
The Czech economy will struggle to show economic growth both this and next year, according to the Czech Federation of Trade Unions CMKOS.
January 21, 2014
Czech Republic: New Government Facing Bumpy Road
The first obstacles for forming a new government seem to have been surmounted – for the time being.
January 21, 2014
Czech Republic: Lending Conditions to Remain Stable
According to the Czech National Bank (CNB), credit conditions for corporate and mortgage loans will remain unchanged while conditions for consumer loans will tighten.
January 20, 2014
Kotian: “Growth in CEE is Accelerating“
In an interview with Austrian daily “Wirtschafts-Blatt”, CEE expert at Erste Group, Juraj Kotian, points out that the bond market is expected to see growth supported by the successful reduction of debts and high economic growth.
January 20, 2014
Czech Republic: Euro Introduction Has no Priority
In an interview with Bloomberg, designated prime minister Bohuslav Sobotka said that there will be no date for entering the Eurozone in the current term.
January 17, 2014
Oberbank Continues Expansion Strategy
The Austrian regional bank considers Vienna and the Czech Republic as potential growth markets.
January 17, 2014
Czech Republic: Sobotka Sworn in as PM
Head of the Czech Social Democrats (CSSD), Bohuslav Sobotka, was sworn in as new Prime Minister by President Milos Zeman on Friday afternoon.
January 17, 2014
WSE to Become Regional Leader?
The Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE) hopes to take over a “dominant” role in trading in Central Europe, as announced by GPW, the bourse’s operator, on Thursday.
January 17, 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
Czech Republic: Economic Growth Expected to Expand
The Czech Banking Association (CBA) has adjusted its economic forecast and expects a growth rate of 1.9 percent for the Czech economy this year.
January 14, 2014
CNB: Significant Increase in Profits
Due to the forex interventions in November last year, the Czech National Bank (CNB) was able to increase its results.
January 13, 2014
Czech Fiscal Policy: Major Difficulties Ahead
Despite austerity measures, the Czech debt spiral was up considerably in the past years.
January 11, 2014
Hungary: Further Monetary Cuts Not Unlikely
Adam Balog, deputy governor of the Hungarian National Bank (MNB), argues that there is still downward potential.
January 10, 2014
Czech Economy: Good Prospects for Sustainable Recovery
The Czech economy is expected to return to growth already in the first half of 2014. Growth will not be only based on exports.
January 10, 2014
Czech President Announces Appointment of Government
After months of disputes between the election winner and Czech President Milos Zeman, the date of the appointment of the new government was announced.
January 10, 2014
RBI Expects Growth to Accelerate in 2014
2014 marked by growth recovery, according to RBI Research.
January 9, 2014
Orco Property Group: Cut in Number of Board Members
Shareholders of Luxembourger real estate company Orco Property Group voted to cut the number of board members from nine to five on Monday.
January 8, 2014
Sobotka Presses for Appointment of Czech Government
As reported by Czech news agency CTK, party leader of the Czech Social Democrats (CSSD) Bohuslav Sobotka will get together with President Milos Zeman to request a fast appointing of the new government.
January 8, 2014
Meinl Bank: Plans of Growth in Czech Republic and UK
Meinl Bank has opened a new subsidiary in Prague. Growth plans for the core business in Central and Eastern Europe is well on its way, according to the bank’s officials.
January 7, 2014
Czech Republic: Alarming Increase of Private Bankruptcies
The number of private insolvencies increased by 13 percent and stood at a new record in 2013.
January 7, 2014
Growing Evidence for RBI’s Withdrawal from Hungary
According to media reports, Hungarian partly nationalized Szechenyi Commercial Bank has placed an offer for the take-over of RBI’s Hungarian affiliate.
January 7, 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
Czech Budget Deficit Lower than Expected
In total, the Czech budget deficit will come at 2.0% of GDP. Before, the budget deficit was estimated to come at 3.4% of GDP.
January 4, 2014
Czech Governor Awarded Banker of the Year 2014
Miroslav Singer, governor of the Czech National Bank (CNB) was given the Central Banker of the Year 2014 award for Europe by The Banker.
January 3, 2014
Czech Economy to Return to Growth
After two years of GDP contraction, the Czech Republic will reach moderate economic growth rates in 2014.
January 2, 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
Czech Republic: Household Debts Increasing
Debts to banks and other financial institutes by Czech households keep on increasing, according to a report by the Czech National Bank (CNB).
January 2, 2014
Czech Republic: Babis Claims Finance Ministry
Andrej Babis, head of the second-largest Czech party, wants to become Minister of Finance. The Czechs face a new austerity package.
December 28, 2013
Czech Republic: Zeman Rejects Proposed Ministers
The Czech Republic is facing new obstacles in the forming of a new government as President Zeman is not satisfied with the choice of some ministers.
December 23, 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
Czech Republic: Economic Sentiment Rises
As published by the Czech Statistical Office (CSU), the Czech economic sentiment indicator rose by one point to 5.5 points compared to November.
December 20, 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
Czech Republic: Rusnok to become CNB Board Member
Outgoing Prime Minister Jiri Rusnok will be appointed new board member of the Czech National Bank (CNB) by President Milos Zeman.
December 18, 2013
Labor Costs: No Clear Trend in CESEE
In the Baltic countries and in Romania, unit labor costs rose most. In Slovenia and in the Czech Republic, by contrast, unit labor costs were down.
December 18, 2013
CESEE: More Robust than in 2008
The U.S. Federal Reserve wants to reduce its easing policy gradually. For emerging markets, the end of the loose monetary policy may prove challenging.
December 17, 2013
Czech Republic: Lowest Increase in Public Debts in 17 Years
According to the government’s Funding and Debt Management Strategy, public debt should exceed CZK 2,000bn by the end of 2016.
December 17, 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
Hungary: Stable Outlook Yet Still Junk Status
In spite of Matolcsy, governor of the Hungarian National Bank (MNB), demanding a better rating for the country’s credibility, the major rating agencies have not raised them.
December 12, 2013
Czech Republic: Banking Sector Proves Stable
According to the latest results of the bank stress test by the Czech National Bank (CNB), the domestic financial institutes remain resistant to a potential negative development.
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
Czech Republic: New Government Confirmed
Seven weeks after the national elections, the Czech Social Democrats (CSSD) have agreed to form a coalition with ANO and the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL).
December 11, 2013
Ten Capital Market Themes for 2014 by Raiffeisenbank
Leading indicators show a recovery of global growth.
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