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Insolvencies


Austrian Company Palmers: Hope for Rescue by International Investor

The traditional Austrian underwear manufacturer Palmers, which had to file for insolvency in February 2025, may be about to be rescued by a foreign investor. The regional court in Wiener Neustadt has decided that the company can continue to operate for now, but financial support is urgently needed.
April 24, 2025


Rise in Corporate Insolvencies in Austria Reaches New High

The tense economic situation led to a significant increase in corporate insolvencies in Austria in 2024. According to the latest data from Creditreform, around 6,700 company bankruptcies were recorded, an increase of 22% compared to the previous year.
February 24, 2025


Future of KTM and Pierer Industrie AG on the Brink

The coming days could be decisive for the renowned Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM and its parent company, Pierer Industrie AG. While KTM wants to secure its future with a comprehensive restructuring plan, Pierer Industrie AG faces a groundbreaking creditor decision as part of a restructuring procedure applied for the first time in Austria. In addition, geopolitical factors and global economic developments play a key role in the continued existence of the Group.
February 20, 2025


Increase in Business Insolvencies in Austria Amid Economic Challenges

Austria's business landscape saw a challenging year in 2024, with a significant increase in corporate insolvencies driven by economic factors such as rising inflation, recession, and the end of pandemic-related support. While businesses struggled, a notable rise in new company formations offered a mixed picture.
February 9, 2025


Bankruptcy Proceedings Against Ostchem Holding GmbH: Ukrainian Oligarch Dmytro Firtash in Financial Difficulties

Bankruptcy proceedings were opened at the Salzburg Regional Court against Ostchem Holding GmbH, a company linked to a major oligarch in Ukraine. The Ukrainian entrepreneur Dmytro Firtash, considered one of Ukraine's most influential and wealthiest oligarchs, is the company's majority shareholder, which has increasingly run into financial difficulties in recent years.
December 23, 2024


KTM Facing Insolvency: Effects on Upper Austria and the Austrian Economy

The longstanding Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM is on the brink of collapse. The company filed applications for restructuring proceedings with self-administration with the Ried Regional Court. The company's financial difficulties are serious: with liabilities of over 1.8 billion euros, the KTM crisis is one of the biggest insolvencies in the history of Austrian industry.
December 2, 2024


New Bankruptcy in the Signa Group: Signa Development Icon GmbH Will not be Continued

The economic turbulence surrounding the Signa Group shows no sign of abating. The creditor protection association Creditreform announced that Signa Development Icon GmbH has filed for bankruptcy proceedings, which will not be continued in the future. "The Icon Vienna" houses prominent companies and diplomatic missions and is a subsidiary of the Signa Development Selection AG, which had previously filed for insolvency.
November 11, 2024


Insolvency of Viennese Real Estate Developer Lukas Neugebauer and his LNR Group

Another Austrian real estate company has been hit by insolvency. Bankruptcy proceedings have now been opened at the Vienna Commercial Court over the assets of Viennese real estate developer Lukas Neugebauer and his LNR Group. The bankruptcy affects both B&R Generalunternehmer GmbH and LNR Development GmbH, two central companies in Neugebauer's real estate conglomerate. The insolvency affects 32 creditors who have claims totaling 94 million euros. The creditors have until December 30, 2024, to assert their claims.
October 23, 2024


Record Number of Company Bankruptcies in Vienna Burdens Economy and Labor Market

In Vienna, more than 1,100 companies filed for insolvency between January and September 2024, with the real estate sector particularly hard hit. This development contributes to rising unemployment, which has increased by 8.8% compared to the previous year. Experts blame the rise in the poor global economic situation, high inflation, and increased energy and rental costs. The increase is particularly worrying for retail and service companies, as shown by the example of Pepco, which has affected over 600 employees.
October 21, 2024


Largest Insolvency in Styria: Fisker GmbH and its Effects

The insolvency of the Austrian Fisker subsidiary has far-reaching consequences for the Styrian economy. With a mountain of debt of almost four billion euros, it is the largest corporate bankruptcy of the year.
August 8, 2024


Austria Businesses Heading for a Record Year of Bankruptcies in 2024

Austria is facing a possible record year for corporate insolvencies in 2024. The current economic situation shows a significant increase in insolvencies, especially in the first half of the year.
July 15, 2024


René Benko Business Scandal: Abu Dhabi's Ruling Family Demands Millions Back

The ruling family of Abu Dhabi, led by Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan, is demanding the return of 250 million euros from René Benko via the International Court of Arbitration (ICC) in Paris.
May 14, 2024
Republic of Austria Opposes Restructuring of Signa Development

The Republic of Austria has filed an appeal against Signa Development's fiduciary restructuring plan, leaving the future of the restructuring process of the real estate conglomerate founded by René Benko hanging in the balance. This legal action could lead to a complete reassessment of the restructuring strategy.
May 1, 2024
Financial Turbulence and Internal Conflicts Shake Signa Group Severely

The Signa Group's financial crisis reached a new peak when creditors filed claims totaling EUR 6.3 billion against Signa Prime, of which only EUR 2.6 billion were recognized by the restructuring administrator Norbert Abel. The hearing at the Vienna Commercial Court revealed that the group's financial difficulties are deeper than previously thought, with a significant proportion of the claims in dispute.
February 26, 2024


Signa Group's Luxury Properties up for Sale: A Glimmer of Hope for the Redevelopment

Signa Prime Selection AG, a major player in the luxury real estate market, is currently facing financial difficulties that could now be alleviated by the planned sale of some of its most prestigious properties. Karl-Heinz Götze, the insolvency manager of the credit protection association KSV1870, sees this step as a crucial "piece of the puzzle" for an orderly resolution of Signa Prime's insolvency proceedings.
February 14, 2024


Signa-Retail Company Lamarr Declares Bankruptcy

The highly anticipated Lamarr Kaufhaus project on Mariahilfer Straße in Vienna, set to include a flagship department store and hotel, has filed for bankruptcy. This development comes as a significant blow, as the project, originally slated for completion in 2025, has faced financial turmoil. The insolvency was confirmed by the Creditors' Protection Association KSV 1870 on Friday.
February 4, 2024


Austrian Justice Minister Zadić Plans Reforms in Connection with the Signa Insolvency

The insolvency of the Signa real estate company has far-reaching consequences, which are now also prompting the Austrian Ministry of Justice under the leadership of Green Justice Minister Alma Zadić. In a five-point plan in response to Signa's insolvency, Zadić plans to significantly tighten the penalties for failing to submit balance sheets.
January 24, 2024
Gazprom Austria Inventory is Now Being Auctioned Off

The Gazprom subsidiary in Austria has become insolvent, and now its assets are being auctioned off at the Aurena auction house. The offer includes 240 exhibits and the purchase of Russian business memorabilia.
May 22, 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


WKO Secretary General: Labor Market Situation Improves, But Remains Great Challenge

The secretary general of Austria's Federal Chamber of Commerce WKO recognizes a slightly positive trend in the labor market but underlines the importance of ongoing and future economic measures.
September 7, 2020


Tax Payers to Finance AvW Bankruptcy after all?

Tax payers may have to finance the bankruptcy of Carinthian financial company AvW after all, Presse daily reports in its online issue. The damage is estimated at EUR 148 million (USD 168.2 million).
June 8, 2016


Insolvent DIY Chain BauMax Ended Its Operations

Insolvent DIY chain BauMax ended its operations completely on Friday with many stores sold to Obi of Germany. Seven stores did not attract a buyer. Some 700 employees in total are at risk of losing their jobs.
October 30, 2015


Austria: Creditors of DiTech Faced With Total Losses

The Austrian computer equipment retailer has filed for insolvency proceedings at the end of March.
May 12, 2014 · Updated: May 13, 2014; 10:55


Hypo Group: Spindelegger Still Rejects Investigation Committee

Today the opposition will call for a joint request for a parliamentary investigation committee with regard to ailing bank Hypo Group.
March 25, 2014


Austria: Opposition Criticizes Nationalization

On Thursday Finance Minister Michael Spindelegger expects a binding statement by ailing bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria about how much state aid will be required. The opposition heavily criticizes the nationalization by the Austrian state in 2009.
March 20, 2014


Serbia: Vucic Stands Good Chances of Becoming PM

Vucic is regarded new Serbian Prime Minister in the parliamentary elections.
March 15, 2014


DiTech: Insolvency Postponed

Heavily affected computer equipement trader DiTech has to postpone filing for insolvency proceedings, which was planned today at the Commercial Court in Vienna.
March 14, 2014


Austria: IV Welcomes Government‘s Decision on Hypo

According to Kapsch, president of IV, Hypo Group’s insolvency would have meant uncertainty and damages to the reputation of the business location Austria.
March 14, 2014


Hypo Group: Decision Has Finally Been Made

The government has finally made a decision. Ailing Hypo Group Alpe Adria will be downsized through a private bad bank.
March 14, 2014


Austria/SEE: Crucial Days for Hypo Group’s Future

Today the supervisory board of ailing Hypo Group is gathering to determine the financial gap of Hypo Group and the amount required to complete the balance sheets for 2013. Moreover, a decision about the SEE network will have to be made.
March 14, 2014


Austria: DiTech to be Taken Over by Investor

Insolvent computer equipment trader DiTech is supposed to be taken over by a German investor with Polish roots.
March 13, 2014


Austria: Who Will Pay for Hypo Group?

In the dispute around who is to pay for problem bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria Chancellor Werner Faymann intends to negotiate with the Austrian provinces about a contribution to the bank levy.
March 13, 2014


Hypo Group: Insolvency Still an Option?

The group of international advisors appointed by the Austrian government seems to have come to a different conclusion than the task force of Hypo Group Alpe Adria.
March 12, 2014


Bank Austria to Focus on Growth Markets in the Future

Because of the high value of write-offs Bank Austria, CEE affiliate of Italian UniCredit, had to face record losses amounting to € 1.6bn. CEO Willibald Cernko, however, does not consider the bank having made any mistakes in the past.
March 12, 2014


Hypo Group: Losses Expected to Run into Billions

Hypo Group Alpe Adria is expected to reveal losses of around € 2bn in the balance sheet for the business year 2013. Up to now, losses in the amount of € 1.3bn were expected.
March 12, 2014


Austria: Computer Trader DiTech Declares Insolvency

Viennese hardware computer trader DiTech has slipped into insolvency.
March 10, 2014


Austria: Calls for Investigation Committee Get Louder

Calls for establishing a parliamentary investigation committee for Hypo Group Alpe Adria, as demanded by the Austrian opposition, are becoming louder.
March 5, 2014


Hypo Group: “Worst Thing If Government Does Not Make Decision”

According to Felderer, President of the Fiscal Council, a downgrade in the country rating must not be taken “too seriously”.
February 28, 2014


Hypo Group: Nowotny to Replace Liebscher

After Liebscher, head of Hypo Group’s task force, announced throwing in the towel Nowotny, Governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB), will become his successor.
February 22, 2014


Austria: Investment Banker Part of Hypo’s Expert Group

A former investment banker is supposed to support Austrian government in the Hypo Group issue.
February 21, 2014


Austrian Government Wants International Group of Experts

More and more voices for a parliamentary investigation committee for ailing bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria are being raised even within the SPÖ and the ÖVP. However, the government has other plans.
February 20, 2014


Liebscher: Government Is to Blame

Head of Hypo Group’s Task Force Klaus Liebscher rejects being turned into the scapegoat of delaying important decisions about the downsizing of the problem bank. Instead, he points his finger to the Austrian government.
February 20, 2014


Austria: Bank Participation for Hypo Off

A participation model with Austrian banks can be ruled out for ailing Hypo Group. Instead, a more expensive version will be applied.
February 10, 2014


FMA: Hypo Group Bankruptcy Incalculable Risk

The government does not dismiss the idea of a bankruptcy of ailing Hypo Alpe Adria. However, the Financial Market Authority (FMA) has expressly warned of this form of downsizing of the state bank.
February 10, 2014


Hypo Group Alpe Adria: Bankruptcy Would Affect Foreign Investors

In case of an unorderly insolvency of the Austrian nationalized lender, not only Austrian creditors would have to absorb losses. The majority of the bondholders are German and Swiss investors.
February 6, 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


Mitterlehner: „Hypo Group Must Not Burden State Budget“

Austria´s Minister of Economics underlined that the Austrian government is looking for an effective and cost-saving solution for the nationalized Lender Hypo Group Alpe Adria.
January 20, 2014


Austrian SME Suffer from Credit Shortage

The real economy benefits only partly from the low interest rates. According to Creditreform, borrowing becomes more and more difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises.
December 20, 2013


Buwog Aquires Portfolio in Berlin

Buwog has once more acquired apartments at the German real estate market.
November 20, 2013


Austria: Liquidity Problems On the Rise

This year, insolvencies and delayed payments are expected cause economic costs of 2.1% of the Austrian GDP.
September 6, 2013