OeNB Austrian National Bank

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

Tumpel-Gugerell Appointed to the Supervisory Board of ÖBB

The former central banker will join the Supervisory Board of the Austrian Federal Railways’ holding company.

August 18, 2011

Austrian FDI Recovered Slightly in 2009

The value of Austrian investments abroad grew by 6% in 2009 and amounted to € 113bn. Companies still felt the impact of the crisis on their profits.

July 26, 2011

Massive Increase in Municipalities’ Foreign Currency Debt

The amount of foreign currency debt has doubled since 2009 and surpassed € 2bn in February 2011. Swiss franc denominated loans accounted for almost 100%.

July 25, 2011

Economic Growth to Slow Down in Second Half of 2011

Real growth is predicted to fall to 0.3% in the third quarter. The forecast is based on reduced export prospects, a lower number of new orders and the euro crisis.

July 19, 2011

Stress Test: Erste Group and Raiffeisen Passed, Volksbank Failed

Volksbanken Group is the only Austrian bank that failed the stress test. Taking into account the measures that are currently being implemented, the core tier I ratio would be above the benchmark.

July 15, 2011

Wealth Growth of Private Households Comes to a Halt

Austrian households’ financial assets increased only marginally to € 462bn in the first quarter. Investments in bank bonds were the driving factor with a total of € 1.1bn.

July 14, 2011
Fast News Search