ECB European Central Bank

Slovenia Shuts Down Two Small Banks

In order to ensure the stability of its financing sector, Slovenia decided to liquidate two banks, Factor Banka and Probanka. According to state officials, the step was also taken to avoid international bailout.

September 9, 2013

Eight Austrian Banks to be Supervized by ECB

The European Central Bank will supervise 130 banks in the Eurozone. 18 German and six Austrian banks will have a new supervision authority.

September 6, 2013

Cyprus: Waiting for the Next Bailout Tranche

Crisis-struck member of the Eurozone Cyprus will have to wait for the next payment out of the bailout-package. Before the next tranche will be transferred the small country has to implement key measures.

September 2, 2013

Uher: “Banking Union in Eurozone Great Danger“

Thomas Uher, member of the board of directors at Erste Bank, warns of a banking union that is only limited to the Eurozone.

August 30, 2013

Mersch: Banking Supervisory Could Be Delayed

At the Forum Alpbach Yves Mersch, member of the ECB’s (European Central Bank) executive board, presented himself sceptical about whether or not a punktual start of a uniform European banking supervision could take place.

August 29, 2013

Cyprus: Bailout Should Have Come Sooner

Cyprus should have applied for an EU rescue package in 2011 to avoid the restrictive terms forced on investors to ensure support, its central bank governor said yesterday.

August 14, 2013

ECB: New Issuance of Debt Securities Totaled EUR 672 Billion In June 2013.

The annual rate of change of the outstanding amount of debt securities issued by euro area residents was -0.1% in June 2013, compared with 0.1% in May.

August 14, 2013

20,000 Bank Shops Have Closed Since Beginning of Crisis

60 percent of the costs in the business with private clients are caused by bank shops. Still, banks are hesitant to close them as they fear the loss of long-term clients.

August 12, 2013

Fitch: European Investors See Withdrawal of Bank Stimulus

More European investors now see the withdrawal of central bank stimulus as a bigger risk to European credit markets than eurozone sovereign debt problems.

August 9, 2013

Cyprus Is Showing Progress

According to estimates by its international creditors, Cyprus is showing progress at the reorganization of its state budget.

July 31, 2013

Slovenia Likely to Overcome Problems in Banking Sector

Slovenia’s problems in banking sector are controllable, according to experts.

July 31, 2013

Eurozone: Business Investments Decreased to 18.8 Percent

Business investment rate down to 18.8% in the euro area and to 18.3% in the EU27 Business profit share at 37.7% and at 37.2% respectively

July 31, 2013

47.5 Percent Compulsory Levy in Cyprus

Major investors are losing almost half of their assets.

July 30, 2013

ECB: No Risk of Deflation in Europe

The European Central Bank (ECB), in contrast to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), does not see the danger of a general downward trend in prices with all its negative effects for the economy.

July 29, 2013

Latvia: Saying Goodbye to the Lat

The introduction of the Euro in the Baltic country has been postponed due to the financial crisis. Latvia originally planned to join the single currency union in 2008 already.

July 26, 2013

Austria: Most Risks Do not Come from Eurozone

The greatest risks threatening a continued economic recovery in Austria currently stem from the global economic trend and, to a lesser extent, from the Eurozone, Ban Austria reports.

July 17, 2013

Slovenia Can Afford Bank Sector Cleanup Itself

Slovenia intends to use its own funds and avoid having to ask the Eurozone or IMF for aid to restore the stability of its banking sector, said the country's finance minister Uros Cufer.

July 10, 2013

Latvia: Joining the Eurozone

Lativa is becoming the 18th country in the Eurozone. The EU Economy and Finance Ministers have given their green light for the admission.

July 9, 2013

Green Light for Latvia’s Euro Accession

The Eurogroup gave green light for the admission of Lativa to the common European currency.

June 21, 2013

Cyprus Demands Further Capital Aid

In a letter to the European Union, President of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiades demands further capital support for the Bank of Cyprus, the “Wallstreet Journal” reports. According to him, Cyprus’ economy depended on it.

June 19, 2013

Slovenia: Bailout As An Option

Prime Minister Bratusek announced her consent to introduce fiscal rule in 2015.

June 4, 2013

Leitl: „Cut of Base Rate by ECB Important and Necessary Signal“

President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce Christoph Leitl welcomed the cut of the main refinancing rate to 0.5 percent.

May 2, 2013

Asmussen: “New Eurozone Members Will Reap Benefits of Initial Phase”

CEEs and The Crisis: Current Challenges and Benefits

April 30, 2013

Business Investment Rate Decreased 19.7 % in Eurozone

Business investment rate down to 19.7% in the euro area and to 19.6% in the EU27. Business profit share down to 37.7% and 37.3% respectively

April 29, 2013

Cyprus: Bail-Out Package More Expensive Than Thought

The aid-money needed increases from € 17.5bn to € 23bn, according to Cyprian government.

April 11, 2013

Household Assets in Austria Lower Than in Spain

The proportion of owned homes in Austria and Germany is below 50 % and one of the reasons why household assets are on the lower end of the scale.

April 10, 2013

Investigation Report Incriminates Managers of Bank of Cyprus

Mass purchase of Greek state bonds and removing of data.

April 5, 2013

Cyprus: Prone to Recession

Despite of the bail-out package, the country is threatened by a deep recession in the coming two years.

April 3, 2013

Cyprus: Anastasiades Comes Under Suspicion

President Nikos Anastasiades is in dire straits as he is accused of having transferred huge amounts of money to foreign countries and having warned relatives. In the meantime, the austerity package is almost set.

April 2, 2013

Cyprus: 37.5 % Only The First Cut

Assets will be burdened much higher than assumed. Apart from the mandatory levy of 37.5 % a further amount of 22.5 % will be frozen in.

March 30, 2013

Cyprus: Mandatory Levy on Assets Not Yet Fixed

Banks in Cyprus will open again tomorrow, yet the capital flow is still limited. Dijsselbloem is criticized by the ECB. Bank employees demand Demetriades’ stepping down.

March 27, 2013

Cyprus: Outflow of Billions of Euros Presumed

Investors in Cyprus could face haircuts up to 50 %. Parliamentary President, Omirou want to go into details about the alleged transfer of assets despite of the banks closing.

March 26, 2013

Medvedev Vexed Over EU

In case the government will not come to conclusion how to generate the required money (€ 5.8bn), the ECB will cut off the money supply for Cyprus’ ramshackle banks.

March 25, 2013

Cyprus: Bail-Out Package Accepted

Cyprus has been granted the € 10bn worth aid package by the EU. After ten hours of negotiations in Brussels the decision was made early this morning. Assets below € 100,000 will not be taxed.

March 25, 2013

Croatia: Sluggish Economic Recovery

The improvement in the financing conditions in international financial markets in the second half of 2012 mitigated the risks to Croatias financial stability to an extent.

March 25, 2013

Cyprus: Agreement on Bank Asset Tax

Today, the Cyprian government has come to a solution on the compulsory charges on bank accounts.

March 23, 2013

Cyprus: Votes on Mandatory Levy

In case the government will not come to conclusion how to generate the required money (€ 5.8bn), the ECB will cut off the money supply for Cyprus’ ramshackle banks.

March 23, 2013

Cyprus: Negotiations About “Plan B“ Today

After days of negotiations in Moscow, Cyprian Finance Minister had to return empty-handed. Talks about “plan B” will continue today.

March 22, 2013

Austria Pays Almost € 300m in Greek Aid

Eurosystem gives away profits from support operations of Greek government bonds. € 281m comes from Austria.

March 16, 2013

Eurozone: Cut in Interest Rate Not Necessary

According to govenor of the Austrian National Bank an interest rate cut to improve the economic situation in the eurozone is not required at the moment. UKIP Leader Farage criticizes politicians for denying problems in eurozone.

March 14, 2013

Bulgaria: EVN Under Surveillance

While the Austrian power supplier EVN is currently kept under surveillance of the Bulgarian judiciary and government, protests by the citizens all over the country continue.

March 11, 2013

Latvia: Eager for the Euro. But ready?

Latvia’s leadership considers adopting the Euro in 2015 or 2016. Despite of showing the fastest economic growth rate at 5.1 % in Europe, there is scepticism Latvian population.

March 4, 2013

ECB Extends Co-Operation with National Bank of Serbia

Today, the European Central Bank (ECB) decided to extend the two-year central bank cooperation programme with the National Bank of Serbia (NBS).

January 31, 2013

„Our Future is Central and Eastern Europe“

Andreas Treichl, CEO of Austrian Erste Group, stresses the importance of the CESEE region and the necessity to become more efficient.

January 29, 2013

Nowotny: “The Worst Is Over”

OeNB´s (Austrian National Bank) governor Ewald Nowotny thinks that the economic situation in the Eurozone has become more stable.

January 16, 2013

Outlook: Europe Remains Under Threat

The European debt crisis will remain a major issue, Austrian Erste Group says.

December 28, 2012

“Risks to Financial Stability Remain High”

The European sovereign debt crisis continues to impact international financial markets. Despite the stabilizing effect of monetary and financial policy measures the risks to financial stability remain at a high level, OeNB says.

December 14, 2012

CEE Countries May Join Banking Union

ECB will become the main supervisor for the Eurozone´s banking industry. Non-Eurozone member countries are entitled to opt-in.

December 13, 2012

WIFO: South Europe Needs Change in Strategy

The Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) underlines that the austerity policy in South European countries did not help at all.

December 12, 2012

Survey: More and More Austrians Affected by Financial Crisis

Compared to 2010, the number of Austrian citizens who see themselves affected by the current financial crisis grew by 50%.

December 5, 2012
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