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OeNB Austrian National Bank


As Recession Grips its Neighbors, Austria May Escape the Carnage

The world’s economic focus continues to be Europe and whether its widening list of travails will once again derail the global recovery, as it did a year ago at this time.
May 8, 2012


IMF: Austria´s Contribution to Reach € 6.0bn

The capital increase at the International Monetary Fund costs Austria € 6.0bn. Austria may receive an executive director. Schieder considers introducing Eurobonds.
April 23, 2012


Nowotny: “ECB Uses Bond-Buying Program Extremely Cautiously”

The governor of Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) Ewald Nowotny said the bank only buys government bonds in certain situations and with “extreme” caution.
April 21, 2012


OeNB: “Nationalizations Are Clean Up”

Austria’s central bank (OeNB) said that the nationalization of three of the nation’s lenders helped clean up the structure of the domestic banking industry.
April 17, 2012


Austrian Opposition Aims to Bring Back Gold Reserves

The two Austrian opposition parties FPÖ and BZÖ push the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) to disclose information about the gold reserves. OeNB refuses to do so.
April 14, 2012


Austria Tries to Adapt its Image

In order to attract foreign investors, Austrian companies are attempting to amend the country’s image. Instead of tourism and culture, the industrial sector and the expertise should be underlined.
April 13, 2012


Nowotny Ask For Alternative to Financial Transaction Tax

The governor of the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) sees a good sign in Austria´s low interest rate on sovereign bonds. The introduction of a European financial transaction tax is unrealistic, the governor says.
April 11, 2012


Where is Austria´s Gold?

The major part of Austria´s gold reserves should be located in the U.S. The Austrian Central Bank does not answer any questions.
April 10, 2012


Failed Austerity Package: „Austrian Rating Not Affected“

Bernhard Felderer, director of IHS (Institute of Advanced Studies) thinks that the incomplete austerity package has no effect on Austria´s prospects to return to the Triple-A status.
April 7, 2012


Austria Rejects Bank Bonds of Southern Euro-Members

The Austrian Central Bank will join Germany’s Bundesbank in rejecting as collateral bank bonds guaranteed by member states receiving aid from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.
April 4, 2012


Nowotny: “Portugal in Much Better Shape Than Greece”

The Governor of the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) and ECB Council Member Ewald Nowotny is optimistic on Portugal´s medium-term prospects. The country faces much less liquidity constraints than Greece.
March 21, 2012


Austrian Economy Recovers Slowly

The Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) sees signs of a recovery. A recession is not expected.
March 20, 2012


Austrian Supervisory Authority Published Guideline For Banks

The Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) has published a supervisory guideline to strengthen the sustainability of the business models of large internationally active Austrian banks.
March 14, 2012


Nowotny: Capital Shortfall at Hypo Group „Substantially Less Than € 10bn”

The governor of the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) repulses reports stating that the nationalized bank Hypo Group needs capital injections of € 10bn.
March 10, 2012


Bank Taxes: Nowotny Supports Government

OeNB´s governor Ewald Nowotny defends the coalition plans to raise bank taxes by 25%.
March 7, 2012


Nowotny: „Austrian Banking Activities in CEE Better than their Reputation”

According to the governor of the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB), Ewald Nowotny, Austrian banks engaged in Central and Eastern Europe are more stable than they are supposed to be.
March 1, 2012


OeNB´s Nowotny Says Regaining AAA Credit Rating Can Take Years

European Central Bank Governing Council member Ewald Nowotny said history has shown that it can take years for a country to win back an AAA rating.
February 25, 2012


Austria Discussing Top Banks’ Capital Rules With EU Commission

Austria’s regulators are discussing rules for its top banks that will curb excessive lending in Central and Eastern Europe with the European Commission.
February 25, 2012


Lending Conditions of Austrian Banks Worsened

According to the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB), stricter lending conditions at Austrian banks were due to the decline in economic growth and detrimental refunding conditions.
February 2, 2012


Romanian President Appreciates Erste Group´s Decision

Traian Basescu, President of Romania, is pleased with Erste Group´s announcement to continue its business in Romania.
January 28, 2012


Austrian Lending Restrictions Under Observation

The plan of the Austrian FMA and OeNB to restrict lending in CEE countries could be a violation of EU-law.
January 19, 2012


Austrian Banks Claim to Continue „Vienna Initiative“

In 2009, international banks agreed on maintaining their lending operations in Eastern Europe. Now, the cooperation should be extended.
January 18, 2012


Signs for Economic Stabilization

The Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) sees signs that the economic downturn trend can be stopped. A small growth in 2012 could be possible.
January 17, 2012


Feared Export Slump Did Not Occur

The Austrian export activity slowed down in the fourth quarter, but the pessimistic expectations did not become real. In 2011, Austrian exports were up by 12%.
January 13, 2012


Critics for FMA and Central Bank

Michael Ikrath, general secretary from Austrian Sparkassen, criticizes the Financial Market Authority and the Central Bank for equity requirements imposed on domestic banks.
December 28, 2011


OeNB Sees No Signs for Credit Crunch

The Austrian Central Bank reports a stable development of new lending. The volume of new corporate and private loans is growing at 2% each.
December 21, 2011


OeNB: Developments in the Sovereign Debt Crisis Will Be Crucial for Financial Stability

The Austrian National Bank (OeNB) presented the 22nd Financial Stability Report.
December 16, 2011


Only 0.3% GDP Growth in Third Quarter

The Austrian GDP stagnates, which is due to decrease in domestic consumption. The only positive impetus comes from the export industry.
December 9, 2011


Rating Agencies Are Seen As Threat

The governor of the Austrian Central Bank, Ewald Nowotny, attacks S&P. For the head of the economic research institute IHS, Bernhard Felderer, the negative outlook must be seen as a warning signal.
December 7, 2011


Opposition Not Convinced: „Debt Brake“ Fails

The Austrian government´s plans to introduce a “debt brake” in the constitution has failed. The three opposition parties are against the idea.
December 5, 2011


Romania Protests Against Austria´s Banks

The Austrian Central Bank and the Financial Market Authority announced to oblige domestic banks to reduce their exposure in the CEE region. Romania fears a credit crunch.
November 28, 2011


Austria Falls In Recession in 2012

According to analysts of Raiffeisen Research, the Austrian economy could shrink by 0.5% in 2012. Up to now, only a small growth rate has been expected by economists.
November 22, 2011


Austrian Central Bank Calls for Rise in Equity for Banks

The Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) prescribes Austrian banks to raise their equity base. By 2016, a further capital base of 3.0% is required.
November 21, 2011


Conference on European Economic Integration

“European Integration in a Global Economic Setting – CESEE, China and Russia“. Conference jointly organized by the Oesterreichische Nationalbank and Suomen Pankki – Finlands Bank.
November 18, 2011


OeNB and People’s Bank of China Sign Investment Agreement

The agreement enables the Austrian National Bank to Invest via PBC in Renminbi-denominated assets.
November 10, 2011


New Speculations about Austria’s Triple-A Rating

Current rumors about a possible downgrade are unfounded, according to a ministry spokesman.
November 4, 2011


Capital Needs of Austrian Banks Total € 4bn

The increase is mainly a result of Erste Group’s third quarter loss, according to OeNB’s Executive Director Andreas Ittner.
November 3, 2011


Austrian Households Control Assets worth € 471bn

Despite a declining savings rate, households remain the most important provider of capital to domestic banks.
November 3, 2011


Nowotny Expects Lower Growth Rates

The head of the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) Ewald Nowotny lowers the growth estimation for the Austrian economy.
October 31, 2011


OeNB Dismisses Management of Money Printing Subsidiary

Three persons were fired for suspicion of unlawful actions. € 14m have allegedly been paid as bribe to secure a deal with Syria.
October 28, 2011


European Banking Authority: Austrian Banks Need € 2.9bn

Banks are required to establish a buffer such that the Core Tier 1 capital ratio reaches 9%. A major part of the capital needs is attributable to Volksbank Group.
October 27, 2011


Declining Profits for ATX Companies

Analysts expect Vienna-listed companies to report substantial lower profits. Even losses are feared.
October 24, 2011


OeNB: Austrian Economy Is Stagnating

Uncertainty about the global economic development has reduced business and consumer confidence in Austria.
October 12, 2011


„Austrian Banks Are Robust“

Ewald Nowotny, the head of the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) as well as the Minister of Finance, Maria Fekter, appreciate the announcement of Erste Group.
October 11, 2011


Austrian Exports to Rise Substantially

Austrian exports record satisfying results in the first six months of 2011. Austria´s trade balance shows a plus of € 4.4bn.
October 5, 2011


Hypo Alpe Adria Needs More Time to Build Up Capital

The Carinthian nationalized bank will not be able to meet the prescribed capital ratios by March 2012. Management and authorities are negotiating an extension of the deadline.
September 29, 2011


VBAG: No Repayment of State Aid in 2011

The Austrian bank’s low equity capital base does not allow repayment of the first € 300m tranche of state capital.
September 28, 2011


Decline in Savings Deposits Continues

Business development of Austrian banks in the first half of 2011: Balance sheet total grows; volume of demand and fixed-term deposits increases.
September 14, 2011


Hypo Alpe Adria: FMA Sees Capital Requirement of € 1.5bn

The Austrian nationalized bank has to fill the capital gap by 31 March 2012. Management wants to continue the downsizing program.
September 2, 2011


Strong Growth in Lending to Private Households

Loan development in the second quarter: Total lending volume grows; opposing trends are registered for new loans to enterprises and private households.
September 1, 2011