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Monetary Policy
Hungary Abandons Radical Resolution On Foreign Exchange Loans
Foreign currency denominated mortgages for home purchases shall be phased out.
July 25, 2013
Poland: Dispute Between NBP and Finance Ministry
Finance Minister Jacek Rostowski and Governor of Polish National Bank Marek Belka are blaming each other for the poor performance of Poland´s economy.
July 23, 2013
Orban: Not Joining Eurozone in the Next Ten Years
Hungary´s Prime Minister thinks that his country should not become a member of the euro area in the medium term.
July 23, 2013
Turkish National Bank Raises Base Rate
Today, Turkey´s National Bank has increased the base rate from 6.5% to 7.25%. Turkey wants to prevent a devaluation of the lira.
July 23, 2013
Hungarian Central Bank Cuts Base Rate Again
At its meeting on 23 July 2013, the Monetary Council reviewed the latest economic and financial developments and voted to reduce the central bank base rate by 25 basis points from 4.25% to 4.00%, with effect from 24 July 2013.
July 23, 2013
Poland to Enter the Eurozone in the Medium Term
The biggest new EU member country will become a member of the Eurozone, political observers say unanimously. The only question is when.
July 23, 2013
Poland: Banking Sector Faces Downward Trend
According the Poland´s National Bank NBP, the profitability of the Polish banking sector is expected to decline further.
July 17, 2013
Turkey Suffers from Massive Capital Outflow
Due to the mass protests and the sharp political reactions, investors became suddenly much more cautious.
July 17, 2013
RBI Plans on Reconstructing Branch Banks
The new concept of Karl Sevelda, successor of former CEO Herbert Stepic, is becoming clearer. He has inherited the task to reconstruct the capital of Basel-III.
July 15, 2013
Slovenia’s Banking Sector Threatened by Delay of Bad Bank-Transfers
After the EU Commission denied approval for the first transfers of bad loans to the bank asset management by June 28, the reorganization of the banking system in Slovenia has been postponed.
July 9, 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
OeNB Favors Examination of Bad Bank for Hypo
The Austrian National Bank (OeNB) has, according to Govenor Ewald Nowotny, requested to examine models for the establishing of a bad bank for Hypo Group. This was announced by Nowotny on Monday
July 8, 2013
Slovenia: Trying to Make a Difference
The crisis measures approved by Brussels are partially starting to make an impact. Since July 1, the higher tax rate of 22 percent is binding. However, the country does much more than just raise taxes.
July 3, 2013
Fekter: Kranebitter „Weary of Office“
Hypo CEO Kranebitter resigns and settles a score with the Finance Ministry in an open letter. He decided to step back after three and a half years because “major parts of the work were damaged”.
July 3, 2013
Abramovich Withdraws from Politics
Abramovich resigned from office as speaker of the parliament of the Koryakia Autonomous District.
July 2, 2013
Erste Group Successfully Completes EUR 660.6 Million Accelerated Bookbuild Offering
Issue size of the capital increase: 35,231,353 new shares at a final subscription and offer price of EUR 18.75 per share.
July 2, 2013
Hypo Group: CEO Kranebitter Steps Back
Kranebitter announced to stay until the half-year accounts are published. On Monday it became known that the ailing bank will in all likelihood require more state aid than planned.
July 2, 2013
Hypo Group: CESEE Units to be Sold Until Mid-2015
The threatened compulsory sale of nationalized Hypo Alpe Adria Group by the EU Commission until the end of this year, was, according to information by the Finance Ministry, fended off. An additional burden of € 2bn might await the Austrian taxpayers.
July 1, 2013
Hypo Group: Government Hopes For Expansion of Deadline
The restructuring plan for Hypo Group has been handed in to Brussels. It is still unclear whether the deadline will be expanded.
July 1, 2013
Latvia Joining The Eurozone As 18th Member
Today the heads of states and governments of the European Union gave their blessing to Latvia’s entry to the Eurozone in 2014.
June 28, 2013
Hungary: New Tax for Banks
According to a legislative proposal by Economy Minister Varga, banks would have to face a further burden of around € 250m.
June 27, 2013
VBAG And RZB Group Reach An Agreement
VBAG and RZB Group conclude contract on the aquisition of assets.
June 27, 2013
RBI Will Take Its Time With the Repayment of Participation Capital
It is not yet clear when RBI will pay back state participation capital in the amount of € 1.75bn.
June 27, 2013
Hypo Group and BayernLB Keep on Fighting
Hypo Group responds to the BayernLB’s lawfile at the Regional Court in Munich. Both banks will not give up their very hard stance.
June 26, 2013
Hypo Group: Commisson Against Extension of Deadline
Austria will in all probability not be granted an extension of the deadline for the winding down of Hypo Alpe Adria. This was announced by EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia
June 26, 2013
Austria: Deputy Govenor Duchatczek Steps Back
After 37 years of service Duchatczek resigns from his position as Deputy Govenor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB).
June 25, 2013
Erste Group to Pay Back € 1.8bn in State Aid
The Austrian banking institute plans on not only paying back its debts at the state but also to significantly increase equity capital.
June 24, 2013
Austria: Investigations on Loan to Alpine
Apparently ailing bank Hypo Group plays a role in the bankruptcy of Austrian construction company Alpine. The bank is supposed to have granted a bridge loan.
June 21, 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
Hypo: Deal with Russian Oligarch with “Proper Mortgage”
The investigations into money laundering at the Federal Criminal Office concerning the business with Russian oligarch Vladimir Antonov were brought to an end without any results. There were no arms among the securities.
June 20, 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
EU Abandons Quarterly Reports
Listed enterprises in the European Union do not have to present quarterly reports from 2015 on.
June 12, 2013
Fekter: „Bad Bank for Hypo Not The Most Creative Solution“
The Austrian Greens affirm their demand for the establishing of a bad bank for the ailing Hypo Group and a respective bill.
June 12, 2013
Moody’s: Rate Cuts Credit-Negative for Polish Banks
The recently passed cut in interest rates by Poland’s Monetary Policy Council has a negative effect on credits for Polish banks, rating agency Moody’s announced.
June 11, 2013
Poland: Sale of Foreign Currencies to Stabilize Zloty
After lowest rate in one year, the Polish government had to take actions.
June 10, 2013
Hypo Group: Fekter Under Pressure
Finance Minister Fekter is put under pressure by Austrian Green Party to establish a bad bank for Hypo Group.
June 10, 2013
Moody's: Overall Fiscal Situation In CEE Is Improving
Because of austerity measures in most of the countries, the economic situation is slowly but steadily improving.However, the latest competitiveness report pains a bleak picture of the future.
June 7, 2013
RBI Supervisory Board to Elect Stepic’s Successor
On Friday, the supervisory board will vote on former CEO Herbert Stepic’s successor for listed Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI).
June 7, 2013
Poland: Base Rate Down to Record Low
Poland’s Monetary Council has cut the base rate to 2.75 percent.
June 6, 2013
Austria: Liebscher as Chairman of Hypo Group’s Supervisory Board
Liebscher is to take over Ditz’ position after the meeting of bodies on June 21.
June 5, 2013
Austria: Leitl Welcomes Latvia to Join Eurozone
Head of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce Leitl considers the Euro adoption as an important political signal for the cooperation and the strengthening of the European currency union.
June 5, 2013
Hypo Group: Possible Deductions from Selling Price
The new British-Indian Owner of Hypo Group is to pay only € 32m for the time being.
June 5, 2013
Latvia: Euro to Be Introduced 2014
Latvia will be able introduce the Euro on January 1 2014. According to diplomats, this is what the EU Commission will recommend on Wednesday in Brussels.
June 4, 2013
Lopatka: "Visa Cooperation Reinforces Mutual Ties Between Austria and the Czech Republic"
Austrian State-Secretary on the signing of a new agreement and working meetings in Prague.
June 4, 2013
Czech Repubic to Restrict Budget Cuts
To boost domestic economy, the Finance Ministry announced to temporarily restrict budget cuts.
May 31, 2013
Czech Republic Not to Introduce Euro Before 2019
According to reports by the Czech media, the new government intends to apply for the Euro only in 2016.
May 31, 2013
Commission Welcomes Slovenia’s Commitment
The EU Commission approved of Slovenia’s adoption of a balanced budget rule on Friday last week.
May 27, 2013
Meinl Bank to Enter Bulgarian Market
Meinl Bank still awaits the green light from the Bulgarian National Bank before it can be opened.
May 24, 2013
Zeman Demands Stock Exchange for CEE
Czech President Milos Zeman has declared himself in favor of the merger of the stock exchanges in Prague and Warsaw.
May 24, 2013