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OenB Austrian National Bank
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
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