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Economic Outlook in Austria: High Inflation and Stagnation Until 2026
The Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) has published a comprehensive analysis of economic development and inflation forecasts for Austria, covering the years 2024 to 2028. The study shows that Austria will continue to struggle with high inflation until mid-2026 before the European Central Bank's (ECB) target of two percent is reached. At the same time, the economy will not see a slight recovery until 2025.
July 1, 2024
Flow-Through Capital Despite Sanctions: Russian Investments in Austria Continue to Flow
While international tensions and the war in Ukraine, which has been going on for more than two years, are putting a heavy strain on relations between Russia and the West, Austria remains a remarkably robust magnet for Russian investment. Contrary to expectations that the extensive international sanctions against Russia would curb capital flows, the latest data from the Austrian Ministry of Economic Affairs' investment control report shows a different reality: Russian investments in Austria rose by 14% to EUR 25.5 billion in the first half of 2022.
April 22, 2024
Raiffeisen Bank International Expects ECB Call to Accelerate Withdrawals from Russia
Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) is facing increasing pressure from the European Central Bank (ECB) to reduce its business activities in Russia more rapidly. This follows a number of developments and the publication of an ad hoc announcement by the bank in which it is expected that the ECB will make an official request to accelerate the wind-down measures in the near future.
April 18, 2024
Inflation Sank in December to 10,2 Percent
The inflation rate continues to drop in Austria. After a reduction in November to 10,6 percent, inflation dropped even further in December to 10,2 percent. However, experts are slowing the enthusiasm down for the moment.
January 5, 2023
What Happened to the Russian Sberbank in Vienna after the Invasion of Ukraine?
The Russian bank Sberbank is one of the largest in Europe and has been hit hard by the European Union sanctions triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. To find out what happened to its Vienna branch and whether it can continue to do business in Austria, read on.
August 10, 2022
European Central Bank Calls for Action Against Inflation
The European Central Bank is calling for quick action against inflation. The inflation rate shot up to 7.4 percent in the euro area recently, well above the ECB's target of two percent.
May 19, 2022
Russia's Sberbank with European Headquarters in Vienna under Pressure
The Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) has announced a moratorium on Sberbank Europe AG, a European subsidiary of the Russian state-owned Sberbank. Read what this means for Sberbank Europe and its customers.
February 28, 2022
The Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic for Austria's Economy
The consequences of COVID-19 pandemic continue to determine economic activity in Austria and the banks’ higher resilience has been key to COVID-19 response.
November 29, 2021
Van der Bellen in Italy: "The Pandemic Can be Considered Overcome"
On his visit to Rome and the Vatican, Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen and his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella are optimistic that the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, such as lockdowns and travel restrictions, can be considered overcome.
June 8, 2021
Holzmann is the New Austrian National Bank Governor
The liberal Robert Holzmann (70) took over as Governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) on 1 September 2019, succeeding Ewald Nowotny. The manner in which he will hold his office as governor will be followed with interest. The economist has already stated that he will pay more attention to the monetary policy of the European Central Bank (ECB) than his predecessor.
September 3, 2019
Jens Weidmann Demands in Vienna an End to Massive Bond-Buying Program
The head of Deutsche Bundesbank, Jens Weidmann, visits Vienna to receive the Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold (Grosses Goldenes Ehrenzeichen) from Finance Minister Hartwig Löger. In his speech he called for a rapid end to bond purchases by the European Central Bank (ECB).
March 26, 2018
ECB Unleashes Quantitative Easing - How does it work?
Today, the ECB finally commenced on a large scale sovereign bond-buying programme. The €60bn monthly asset purchases include covered bonds and asset backed securities. Due to the flood of cheap money, the DAX was boosted. The index increased by up to one per cent to a record high of 10,399.67 points. Quantitative easing is a monetary policy where a central bank creates new money electronically to buy financial assets. The aim is to stimulate an economy when standard monetary policy has become ineffective. How does it work?
January 22, 2015
UniCredit: Common Bad Bank with Intesa Sanpaolo?
The parent company of Bank Austria may create a common bad bank with its Italian competitor Intesa Sanpaolo. The bad bank may be sold later on.
April 22, 2014
Austria: RLB OÖ Rows Bank on Threat to Leave
Last year regional lender RLB OÖ (Raiffeisen Landesbank Oberösterreich), part of Raiffeisen group, saw a decline of six percent in its balance sheet totals while the operating results increased by almost three percent.
April 16, 2014
Slovenia: Head of NLB Throws in Towel
On Friday France Ahar, President of the supervisory board of the biggest lender of Slovenia, state-controlled NLB, handed in his resignation.
April 14, 2014
Erste Group to be Relocated to the Czech Republic?
CEO of Erste Group, Andreas Treichl, has informed Czech President Milos Zeman about the bank’s intention to move to Prague in the coming years.
April 9, 2014
ECB Puts Pressure on Hypo Group
The distressed Austrian nationalized lender has no access to the Eurosystem monetary policy credit instruments. About ten potential buyers might be interested in the Balkan lender.
April 5, 2014
RBI: Economic Recovery Despite Geopolitical Tensions
Economic upswing vs. geopolitics.
April 4, 2014
RBI to Keep Hungarian and Ukrainian Affiliates?
Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) considers keeping its affiliates in Hungary and Ukraine.
March 27, 2014
Raiffeisen Group: Uncertain Future
On Thursday Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) will present the annual figures of 2013.
March 26, 2014
Recovery of Austrian Economy Continues
Austrian economy continues its recovery despite weaker upswing.
March 17, 2014
Austria: Delay in RBI Paying Back State Capital
Austrian Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) will take longer than planned to pay back state capital.
March 15, 2014
Erste Group: Profits Decline
Erste Group posts net profit of EUR 61.0 million in 2013 and improves capital ratios.
February 28, 2014
Austria: Inflation Drops Again
Inflation in Austria dropped to 1.5 percent in January due to the winter sales.
February 24, 2014
Hypo Bankruptcy Could Severly Harm BayernLB
Rating agency Moody’s sees German BayernLB impacted by the critical capital situation in the coming years.
February 18, 2014
Nowotny: Negative Interest Rate Conveys Feeling of Crisis
Ewald Nowotny, member of the Council of the ECB (European Central Bank) and governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB), expressed his rejection regarding a possible negative interest rate for banks.
February 18, 2014
ECB Wants to Supervise All Banks
For the European Central Bank, the current authority does not go far enough. The ECB wants to control all 6,600 banks in the Eurozone.
February 8, 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
Stress Tests Become Harder
Experts expect that not all banks participating in the examination will pass the stress test.
February 1, 2014
Austrian Industrial Sector only Sees Weak Recovery
The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) warns about a fragile economic recovery.
January 30, 2014
Austria: OeNB Forecasts Modest Economic Growth
According to the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) economic growth in Austria only came at 0.3 percent last year.
January 24, 2014
Eurozone: Highest Economic Growth in Two Years
The purchase manager index for the private economy increased to 53.2 points up by 1.1 points, as published by Markit research institute on Thursday.
January 23, 2014
Eurozone: Number of Banks Declining Fastly
The decline in the number of euro area monetary financial institutions (MFI) continued in 2013, according to ECB’s (European Central Bank) reports.
January 22, 2014
Erste Group: Moderate Economic Recovery in Eurozone
Euro area sentiment indicators point to a continuation of the moderate recovery, according to Erste Bank.
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
$ 1.0trn Capital Shortfall in European Banking Sector?
According to U.S. economists, the stress tests carried out by the European Central Bank are too soft.
January 16, 2014
Nowotny Sees Growth Potential in Eurozone and CEE
According to Ewald Nowotny, governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB), the outlooks for economic upturn in the Eurozone and Central/Eastern Europe have improved significantly compared to only a year ago.
January 14, 2014
Eurozone: Further Capital Injections at Banks Expected
The Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) is holding a summit today. The low inflation rate in the Eurozone is still a dilemma for the monetary authorities.
January 9, 2014
VBAG: Complete Write-Off Possible
The Austrian state may has to write down its interest completely. Further capital injections are very likely. Also VBAG´s other shareholders will be obliged to provide fresh funds for the ailing bank.
January 4, 2014
Eurozone: Number of Bank Credits Keeps Declining
The financial institutes in the Eurozone have been cutting back on granting credits. The lending for both business corporations and private persons has dropped by 2.3 percent.
January 3, 2014
Austria: Unemployment Rate at Record High
Last year the unemployment rate in Austria recorded its highest level in 60 years.
January 2, 2014
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
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
Moody's: ECB Rate Cut Does Little for Economic Growth
ECB rate cut to a record low 0.25% will likely do little to support economic growth, according to Moody's Analytics.
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
Austria: Bawag to Pay back Participation Capital
The Austrian Bawag announced its plans about paying back a further tranche of the state capital participation.
December 2, 2013
PwC: Turbulent Years for Banks
According to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) the core capital of European banks need to be increased significantly.
November 28, 2013
Germany Claims Key Positions at EU Banking Regulator
The German federal government claims one key position in the European banking regulator.
November 28, 2013
ECB Considers Restricting Credits
The ECB takes the option of restricting banking to industrial enterprises only into consideration.
November 27, 2013
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