Sponsored Content
Erste Group
Banks Striving to Leave Ukraine
While Austrian insurance companies intend to stay on the Ukrainian market banks are facing write-offs running in the billions.
March 5, 2014
Raiffeisen Bank International Postpones Sale of Ukrainian Affiliate
Due to the extremely tense situation in Ukraine, the second-largest lender in CESEE (Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe) has stopped the sale of Aval Bank.
March 3, 2014
Hypo Group: Risk Identified Already in 2009
Three months after a report on the risk and susceptibility to fraud of Hypo Group’s leasing affiliates was published by PwC, ailing Hypo Group was nationalized.
March 3, 2014
„Austria Needs an Excellent Minister of Finance“
Andreas Treichl, CEO of the third-biggest lender in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe expressed subtle doubt as to whether Michael Spindelegger is the right person for the job.
March 2, 2014
Treichl: „Not Afraid of Hypo Group Bankruptcy“
Andreas Treichl, CEO of Vienna-listed Erste Group does not think that a potential bankruptcy of the nationalized lender Hypo Group Alpe Adria would affect Erste Group´s rating.
March 1, 2014
Erste Group: Profits Decline
Erste Group posts net profit of EUR 61.0 million in 2013 and improves capital ratios.
February 28, 2014
The Bank Branch of the Future Already in its Beginnings
Since 2008 the branch network of banks in the Eurozone has been shrinking. Likewise, banks struggle for client contacts in order to increase the client base.
February 25, 2014
Hypo Disaster: Who Are the Beneficiaries?
International investment companies, funds and domestic banks are the major recipients of the billions of Euros in the Hypo Group disaster.
February 19, 2014
Erste: CEE Financial Market Not Concerned by Low Inflation
Low inflation will not change CEE market forecasts, according to Erste Group.
February 18, 2014
Erste Group: Net Results Below Expectations
Erste Group provides business update for 2013: Improvement in risk costs is outweighed by one-off items and tax effects, impacting net profit
February 11, 2014
Ukraine: Tough Market for Foreign Banks
The coming two years will be challenging for foreign banks operating in Ukraine.
February 11, 2014
Hypo Group Alpe Adria: The War of Nerves Has Begun
The Austrian government puts enormous pressure on the Austrian banking sector and does not exclude Hypo Group´s orderly bankruptcy anymore. The Austrian banking sector insistently warns of this option.
February 9, 2014 · Updated: February 9, 2014; 23:41
Raiffeisen Bank International: Moody´s Downgrades Ukrainian Subsidiary
Due to the political instability, the U.S. rating agency lowers the rating of Aval Bank, the Ukrainian affiliate of Austrian RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International).
February 5, 2014
„Hungary and Austria Must not Become Enemies“
Ewald Nowotny, governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) wants a solution between the Hungarian government and the Austrian banking sector.
February 4, 2014
London Roadshow with Austrian Companies
Austrian Companies with Erste Group and the Vienna Stock Exchange on Road Show to London
January 27, 2014
CEE: Economic Sentiment at Lowest Level
ZEW-Erste Group Bank Economic Sentiment Indicator for the CEE at lowest level.
January 24, 2014
CEE: Insolvencies Declining But Larger Effect
The number of insolvencies in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is declining. However, the individual insolvencies are becoming larger, as reported by French credit insurer Coface.
January 23, 2014
Austria: Savings to Shrink Further
According to Erste Group, the amount to be saved continues to shrink substantially. What is more, average loan amounts are declining moderately.
January 22, 2014
Austrian Bank Levy: “Penalty Gone Wild”
On the basis of a new method of calculation around € 90m more in bank levy should be generated compared to the previous year.
January 22, 2014
Erste to Maintain Business in Hungary
According to CEO of Erste Group’s Hungarian affiliate, the bank will remain in the country to expand business activity.
January 21, 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
Austrian Banks to Resist Further Burdens?
Podium discussion at Viennese law firm Binder Grösswang.
January 20, 2014
Austrian State Sues Six Banks
The Republic of Austria filed lawsuits against six lending banks of bankrupt construction enterprise Alpine.
January 17, 2014
Bank Levy: Austrian Regional Banks Under High Pressure
The Austrian government will raise the bank levy significantly. Smaller banks have to perform disproportionately high taxes, Oberbank´s CEO Franz Gasselsberger says.
January 16, 2014
CESEE: Number of NPL Declining
According to a study by Bank Austria, the number of bad loans is declining in Central and Eastern Europe.
January 14, 2014
Austria: Expert Paper for Hypo Group’s Bad Bank
An expert paper about possible downsizing options for state-controlled problem bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria is expected to be handed in to the government until the middle of the week.
January 13, 2014
Austria: Significant Increase in Bank Levy
In 2014, the bank levy is expected to increase substantially. Austrian banks regard the levy as massive competitive disadvantage.
January 10, 2014
RBI: No Withdrawal from Hungary
Due to massive losses, the second-largest lender in CESEE was said to leave the difficult Hungarian market. RBI denies such reports.
January 8, 2014
Hungary: Erste Group Confident
The third-largest lender in CESEE underlined that the Hungarian subsidiary will not be sold. The Austrian bank is confident to reach the turnaround soon.
January 6, 2014
First Offer for RBI´s Hungarian Subsidiary
The partly nationalized Hungarian lender Szechenyi Bank is interested in the Hungarian subsidiaries of the Austrian banks Erste Group and Raiffeisen Bank International.
January 6, 2014
Erste Group and Bank Austria Face Lawsuits
Two Austrian lending banks are involved both as plaintiffs and as defendants in bankrupt construction company Alpine’s court trials.
January 2, 2014
New CEO at BCR Asigurari de Viata
Sorin Mititelu was appointed as new CEO of Romanian BCR Asigurari de Viata.
December 21, 2013
Austria: Rules for Bank Tax to Be Changed
The governing parties call for changes in the bank tax which would increase the burden of some Austrian banks.
December 20, 2013
Austria: Major Banks Exhibit Significant Shortages in Core Capital Quota
Both Erste Group’s and RBI’s core capital quota is below the European average.
December 17, 2013
Erste Group to Reduce Goodwill
Erste Group reduces goodwill by about EUR 350 million.
December 17, 2013
Hungary: Good News for Banks in Forex Proceedings
Banks operating in Hungary can feel relieved by the Supreme Court’s judgement.
December 16, 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: 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 Banking Sector: € 35bn NPL
Due to the gloomy economic situation in CESEE and the stagnating domestic economy, Austrian banks suffer from growing non-performing loans.
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
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
Poland: BGZ Bank Taken Over by BNP Paribas
Polish BGZ Bank will be taken over by French BNP Paribas for a selling price of around € 1bn.
December 5, 2013
Raiffeisen Bank International Negotiates with Alfa Bank
Vienna-listed RBI wants to leave Ukraine. RBI´s subsidiary Bank Aval may be sold to Alfa Bank.
November 30, 2013
RBI Faces Austerity Measures.
Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) does not take into consideration capital increase.
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
Hungary: Banks Penalized for Lobbying
The Hungarian competition authority GVH has imposed a penalty running in the millions on domestic and foreign banks.
November 20, 2013
Raiffeisen Bank International: Sale of Hungarian Affiliate No Taboo Anymore
As reported by Vindobona, Vienna-listed RBI is examining offers for the Hungarian subsidiary. For RBI, Hungary is the biggest loss-maker.
November 20, 2013
Erste Bank Named Best Private Bank
The Banker and PWM named the Austrian bank “Best Private Bank”.
November 19, 2013
Nowotny: Economic Recovery not as Strong as Expected
According to Ewald Nowotny, governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB), indicators point toward a slow recovery in the next quarters.
November 18, 2013