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RBI Terminates Business on Crimea

The Ukrainian affiliate of Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI), Bank Aval, has terminated its business activity on Crimea.
April 15, 2014


„We Must Create A Free Trade Area with Russia“

Sebastian Kurz, Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, proposes a deepening of the economic co-operation between Russia and the EU.
April 12, 2014


Uncertainty in Eastern Europe Makes RBI Nervous

In the last few months, the frame conditions in Russia become more and more unpredictable for foreign investors. For RBI, Russia is the most important market.
April 12, 2014


Moldova: Urgent Call for EU-Membership

Getting out of the zone of uncertainty and instability, this is the aim of the Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca.
April 10, 2014


Nikolic: “Russia Will Never Recognize Kosovo”

In an interview with Austrian daily “Presse”, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic voiced his opinon on the political crisis on Crimea and the future about talks between Serbia and Kosovo.
April 8, 2014


RBI to Shut Down Affiliates on Crimea

The Ukrainian affiliate of Raffeisen Bank International (RBI) is closing all its affiliate on Crimea until mid-April.
April 7, 2014


Poland: No Danger of Deflation

According to Marek Belka, governor of the National Bank of Poland (NBP), there is not threat of deflation.
April 7, 2014


RBI: Economic Recovery Despite Geopolitical Tensions

Economic upswing vs. geopolitics.
April 4, 2014


Serbia: New Government to Hold EU Accession Talks Regularly

The next government of Serbia will hold sessions with regard to the EU accesssion on a regular basis, as announced by Miscevic, chief EU negotiator of Serbia.
April 3, 2014


Hungary Receives € 10bn Loan from Russia

Hungary´s government has signed a loan agreement with Russia. Budapest wants to finance the enlargement of the Paks nuclear power plant.
April 2, 2014


CEE: Economy Could Become More Vulnerable to Crimea Crisis

If the political crisis in Crimea aggravates negative effects in the economy could soon become evident.
April 2, 2014


Austrian RBI Under Pressure

The Austrian National Bank (OeNB) and the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) want Raiffeisen Bank International, the second-biggest lender in CESEE, not to repay the participation capital.
April 2, 2014


Austria: Fitch Warns Banks of Risk with Business in Russia

The menacing sanctions against Russia with regard to the political crisis in Crimea could become a severe danger for Austrian banks.
April 1, 2014


RBI to Keep Hungarian and Ukrainian Affiliates?

Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) considers keeping its affiliates in Hungary and Ukraine.
March 27, 2014


RBI: Profit Shrinks by Almost A Quarter

RBI with consolidated profit of € 557 million Austria’s most profitable bank for the fourth time.
March 27, 2014


Serbia: Program for New Government in Progress

The future government will have to implement extensive reforms. Vucic, whose party saw a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections, is working on the government’s program.
March 26, 2014


Poland: Good Starting Point for Economic Growth

Economic growth for 2014 is expected to accelerate to 3.1 percent to 3.2 percent in the first quarter while for the full year it is anticipated to come at 3.5 percent, according to Polish Economy Minister Janusz Piechocinski.
March 26, 2014


Poland: Economy Proves Immune to Ukrainian Crisis

According to Governor of the Polish National Bank (NBP) Marek Belka, the Polish economy has so far proved stable and almost remained unaffected by the political crisis in Ukraine.
March 26, 2014


Poland: Promising Years Ahead

Poland observes the crisis in Ukraine with great concern, but does not forget to upgrade national resources.
March 25, 2014


Serbia: President Announced “Pro-Serbian Government”

Tomislav Nikolic, Serbian President, announded the future government to be pro-Serbian.
March 24, 2014


Serbia Wants to Keep Balance Between Russia and EU

Serbia´s Prime Minister Ivica Dacic does not want to stab Russia in the back. At the same time, Dacic keeps an eye on Brussels.
March 24, 2014


Czech Growth to Speed Up

Due to the increase in foreign demand, the advisory company EY expects the Czech economy to revive this year.
March 24, 2014


Faymann Does Not Rule Out Economic Sanctions Against Russia

Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann wants to avoid further conflicts with Russia and to put effort into diplomacy instead. Economic sanctions are no taboo, though.
March 24, 2014


Zeman Wants Ukraine to Cooperate with Brussels

According to Czech President Milos Zeman, Russia´s occupation of the Crimea is a “cold-bloodedly” step against the Ukraine. The crisis-ridden country should work together more closely with the EU.
March 22, 2014


Sanctions Against Russia: Massive Threat for Austrian Banks

Brussels plans to impose economic sanctions on Russia. The Austrian financial sector would suffer enormously an escalating conflict with Moscow.
March 19, 2014


Immofinanz: Substantial Increase in Profits

In the first nine months of 2013/14, the Vienna-listed group registered an increase in net income by 7.1%. For the time being, Immofinanz is not affected by the Crimea crisis.
March 19, 2014


CEE: Investments to Boost Economic Growth

In the coming two years economic growth in Eastern Europe is expected to accelerate to an average of two to three percent of GDP triggered by a boost in investments.
March 13, 2014


CEE Countries Condemn Russian Intervention in Ukraine

Foreign Ministers of the Visegrad countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary) want to strengthen the EU defense policy. Poland intensifies its military cooperation with the U.S.
March 8, 2014


Austrian Banking Sector Fears New Crisis in Russia

For both Bank Austria and Raiffeisen Bank International, the crisis in Ukraine is an enormous threat. What is more, Russia might develop into a serious danger for foreign banks.
March 8, 2014


Ukrainian Crisis: Czech Republic Against Sanctions

Instead of economic sanctions against Russia, diplomatic talks should de-escalate the tense situation. President Zeman wants to create a Ukrainian Federation.
March 8, 2014


Hungary: OTP Bank’s Profits Vanished by Provisions and Taxes

A decrease on the operating profit, increasing risk provisions and taxes drained almost all profits made in the fourth quarter last year.
March 7, 2014


VBAG to Sell Romanian Subsidiary

The Austrian partly nationalized VBAG has started the sale of the loss-making Romanian affiliate.
March 5, 2014


Polish Financial Market Proves Strong

The financial market in Poland is resistant towards negative impacts resulting from the current political crisis in neighbor country Ukraine.
March 5, 2014


Ukraine: Poland Wants to Put Pressure on Russia

Poland´s President Bronislaw Komorowski underlined that the U.S. has given assurances on Poland´s security. Prime Minister Tusk calls for solidarity with Ukraine.
March 3, 2014


„The World is Close to an Enormous Conflict“

Poland´s Prime Minister Donald Tusk is highly concerned about the developments in Ukraine. Tusk warned insistently of an escalation of the conflict, which might entail “unforeseeable consequences”.
March 2, 2014


Polish Currency Suffers from Instability in Ukraine

The Polish Zloty has become weaker because of the political instability in Ukraine.
February 28, 2014


Austrian Banks with Significant Exposure in Ukraine

Ukrainian crisis hits Western Banks in different state compared to 2008/09, according to RBI.
February 27, 2014


CEE Financial Markets under Pressure as Riots Continue in Ukraine

CEE markets under pressure as Ukraine violence heats up. Biggest direct risk to Polish Zloty, but also to Hungarian Forint and Romanian Leu.
February 21, 2014


Austria Most Popular Country among Hungarians

93 percent of Hungarians feel compassion towards Austria.
February 19, 2014


Real Estate: Outskirts of Vienna Popular Among East Europeans

More and more well situated East Europeans discover the suburban regions surrounding the Austrian capital. Unlike in Vienna, property prices are going up steadily.
February 4, 2014


„We Must Watch CESEE Very Carefully“

In an interview with the Austrian daily „Standard“, board member of Österreichische Kontrollbank AG Angelika Sommer-Hemetsberger said that the economic crisis in CESEE is not over yet.
February 3, 2014


Bawag to Be Sold?

According to rumours, the fifth largest Austrian lender may be sold.
January 31, 2014


CESEE: Overtaking Western Europe Not Before 2055

According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the transition period of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe will take longer than initially expected.
January 29, 2014


Austria: Sberbank Affected By Further Costs

Sberbank is faced with further aids for Austrian Volksbank International (VBI). So far the Russian bank has pumped a total of € 1.3bn into Sberbank Europe.
January 27, 2014


NLB Closing Moscow Office

The step is part of the restructuring and downsizing procedure.
January 27, 2014


Austria: Fischer Calls Upon Respect of Human Rights

At the New Year Reception for the diplomatic corps in Austria, President Heinz Fischer called upon the strict compliance to human rights.
January 20, 2014


Expansion Course of Austrian Banks Slowed Down

After the financial crisis cooled down the expansion course of Austrian banks in CESEE countries was dampened down.
January 16, 2014


CESEE: Massive Increase in Real Estate Investments

In Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, the total volume of real estate transactions totaled € 10.bn last year. Most transactions were recorded in Russia and Poland.
January 15, 2014


Bank Austria Declines Selling Plans in Ukraine

CEO of Bank Austria, Gianni Franco Papa, rejects rumors about Bank Austria intending to leave the Ukraine.
January 14, 2014