Press Archive 2006

On March 2nd the Russians are asked to elect a new president and on the brink of this election the political elite shows what is crucial to them: a strong economy.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) will take over the majority interest in International Moscow Bank (IMB). With total assets of about US$ 7.7 billion, IMB is the ninth-largest Russian bank.

The BA-CA Purchasing Manager's Index consolidated somewhat in December after climbing to a new record in November, slipping back from 58.9 to 57.7.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) has today finalised the acquisition of a 19.77 per cent shareholding of International Moscow Bank (IMB) from VTB Bank (France) SA (previously Banque Commerciale pour l’Europe du Nord-EUROBANK) for a price of US$395 million.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) has today finalised the acquisition of a 19.77 per cent shareholding of International Moscow Bank (IMB) from VTB Bank (France) SA (previously Banque Commerciale pour l’Europe du Nord-EUROBANK) for a price of US$395 million.

Favoured by EU accession on 1 January 2007, Bulgaria and Romania will achieve stronger economic growth in the coming year. Both countries have been undergoing a far-reaching transformation process aimed at making significant progress which resulted in a success story for both countries.

The 'holiday euro' of Austrians this year will be worth roughly the same as compared with December 2005. The USA and Asia in particular have become cheaper as holiday countries in comparison to the previous year, which is primarily attributable to the strong euro.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA), a member of UniCredit Group, has today signed an agreement to acquire the institutional business of Aton Capital Group, a Russian Investment Bank, which includes ZAO Aton Broker and Aton International Ltd (together the “the Aton Institutional Business”) for a purchase price of US$424 million.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA), a member of UniCredit Group, has today signed an agreement to acquire the institutional business of Aton Capital Group, a Russian Investment Bank, which includes ZAO Aton Broker and Aton International Ltd (together the “the Aton Institutional Business”) for a purchase price of US$424 million.

In November, the business indicator of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) rose once again, moving from an adjusted 4.1 in October to 4.2. "Despite its already lofty position our indicator continued to rise in November", said Marianne Kager, chief economist at BA-CA.

Austrian retail trade has expanded this year by roughly 3 percent, generating sales revenue of approximately EUR 46 billion, as revealed by the latest sectoral report published by the economic researchers at Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA).

Following today's resolution of BA-CA's Management Board, BA-CA will acquire UniCredit's banking subsidiaries in Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Turkey.

Following today's resolution of BA-CA's Management Board, BA-CA will acquire UniCredit's banking subsidiaries in Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Turkey.

Yuri Tverskoy has been designated for the position of the President of the Managing Board and Chief Executive Officer of International Moscow Bank (IMB). He will succeed Ilkka Salonen, who leaves the bank to take over new responsibilities outside of the Group.

After five years, the independent, international Historical Commission created by Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) in 2000 has completed its work entitled "Austrian Banks and Savings Banks under National Socialism and in the Post-War Period".

The Sri Lankan Deputy Secretary to the Treasury R.A. Jayatissa and Angelo Rizzuti, head of International Trade Finance at Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) today signed a financing agreement for a road construction project worth more than EUR 10 million.

Austrian industry will be powering full speed ahead until the end of the year. Sitting at 58.9 the PMI rose by another 0.9 points compared to October.

The global economy is showing strong growth for the fourth consecutive year. The key question for the financial markets now boils down to how pronounced the economic downturn will be next year.

In October, the business indicator of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) once again rose, moving from 4.0 to 4.2. According to Marianne Kager, chief economist at BA-CA, one explanation for the rise in the indicator was that “business sentiment hit a level in October that has not been seen in the last 16 years.

Amidst a positive international economic environment, Central and Eastern Europe will be able to build on the economic successes of previous years again in 2006.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) significantly improved its results in the first nine months of 2006 compared with the same period of the previous year.

Heinz Gruber (40) is the head of sales at Bank Austria Creditanstalt Leasing (BA-CA Leasing). In this position, Mr. Gruber is responsible for cross-division regional sales in all of Austria's provinces, for product development and for BA-CA Leasing's channel and construction management throughout Austria.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) significantly improved its results in the first nine months of 2006 compared with the same period of the previous year. Net income after taxes and minority interests rose by 86 per cent to EUR 1.5 billion (first nine months of 2005: EUR 824 million)

The journalism prize "Writing for CEE" 2006 was awarded to Bosnian journalist Šefik Dautbegović.

With the integration of HVB Group, including Bank Austria Creditanstalt and its subsidiaries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), UniCredit Group has reached new dimensions: it operates by far the leading banking network in the region with about 3,000 branches in 17 CEE countries.

The starting signal has been given for Pioneer Investments Austria: Tomorrow, Capital Investment, the capital investment company of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) Group will officially change its name to Pioneer Investments Austria.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) has placed its Austrian corporate customer relations under a new management. Martin Frank, 49, has recently been appointed head of the Corporate Customers and Public Sector department.

In the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, almost half of the active population has started or is considering investing in an additional private pension on top of the state pension.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) has finalised the sale of Bank BPH, its Polish subsidiary, to UniCredit Group.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) has finalised the sale of Bank BPH, its Polish subsidiary, to UniCredit Group. The closing took place on 3 November 2006. The transaction was approved by the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA).

Although the BA-CA PMI dipped slightly to 58.0 compared to 58.2 in September, it remained at a very high level.

For the first time, saving for retirement has become the Number 1 reason for Austrians' saving. Saving for retirement and the future was cited by 76.4% of all those asked about their reasons for saving and investing.

Mediacom was selected as UniCredit Group's sole media agency. The agency won the international pitch for media planning and media buying conducted by the UniCredit Group. Mediacom was already the media agency of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) in Austria and in Central and Eastern Europe.

Gerhard Deschkan (39) has been appointed head of strategic risk management at Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA). He has succeeded Jürgen Kullnigg (45), who has become head of the "Credit Operations Area" within the UniCredit Group.

Erich Hampel, Chairman of the Managing Board of Bank Austria Creditanstalt, will take over, in both foundations, the function of Gerhard Randa, who retired as a bank executive with effect from 30 September 2006 and on that occasion resigned from his function as chairman of "B&C Privatstiftung" and of "Immobilien Privatstiftung".

BA-CA Real Invest will be selling a package of seven business properties in Prague and Warsaw at the beginning of 2007. Some of the buildings are assets in closed real estate funds, and some held by the company itself.

Providing for one's old age is becoming ever more important as a reason for saving. Those Austrians who invest in a private pension save, so they tell us, on average 153 euros per month towards their old age pension.

The Austrian automobile trade has little growth potential to fall back on. This is revealed by the latest sectoral report published by the economic researchers at Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA).

The business indicator of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) rose from 3.6 to 4.0 in September.

Her novel "Maikite" (The Mothers) has earned Bulgarian Teodora Dimova the "Eastern European Literature Award" which includes prize money of 7,500 Euro.

By tomorrow Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) introduces a EUR 1,500 limit for online banking transfers in an effort to protect its OnlineB@nking customers.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) has become a full member on the equity and the derivatives market on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.

The Soravia Group has brought a partner on board to help carry out its latest “Mega” project in Sofia.

The Purchasing Managers' Index of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) rose strongly again in September to 58.2 compared to 56.3 in August, thus almost topping its record high of 58.4.

Run by the non-profit organisation Kinderfreunde in Vienna, the BA-CA company kindergarten in Leopold Moses Gasse in Vienna’s Leopoldstadt celebrated its ten year anniversary today.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) comments on public assertions made by the London-based hedge fund Polygon Investment Partners.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) comments on public assertions made by the London-based hedge fund Polygon Investment Partners.

It is rather comforting taking a first look at the year 2008, which looks like being the seventh year in a row with rising earnings for the Vienna stock market.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) is already focusing on a key strategy in its corporate client business: it wants to provide increased assistance to local clients in expanding their operations world-wide.

BA-CA’s SME financing specialist EK Fin is to sell its 100% stake in the Viennese speciality coatings manufacturer Rembrandtin to the Austrian Ring Holding company. The strategic investor plans to expand Rembrandtin’s business still further.

The majority of Austrian companies with annual turnover in excess of 700.000 euros do not have a corporate planning process.

Today the UniCredit Group has made some further important decisions with regards to the announced reorganisation of the Group.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) will not be submitting a non-binding bid for the acquisition of BAWAG P.S.K.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) will not be submitting a non-binding bid for the acquisition of BAWAG P.S.K.

The merger between HVB Bank Romania and Banca Ţiriac, the Romanian subsidiaries of Bank Austria Creditanstalt, has been successfully finalized on 1 September 2006.

The merger between HVB Bank Romania and Banca Ţiriac, the Romanian subsidiaries of Bank Austria Creditanstalt, has been successfully finalized on 1 September 2006. The resulting new bank operates under the name HVB Ţiriac Bank and ranks fourth on the Romanian banking market.

EK Mittelstandsfinanzierungs AG (EK Fin) has acquired an approximately 74 per cent stake in MFT - Multifunktionale Trainingsgeräte GmbH. The purchase price will not be disclosed.

The BA-CA Purchasing Managers’ Index once again dipped slightly in August to 56.3 compared to July (57.1), reaching the lowest level since February. Nevertheless, a reading of 56.3 still indicates very brisk industrial production.

The Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) Group Economics economic indicator rose again in July to 3.8 per cent, the highest level seen since 2000.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) is now able to offer corporate customers a special range of services tailored to meet the particular needs of medium-sized enterprises.

UniCredit transfers its CEE banking shareholdings to BA-CA (including Turkey, excluding Poland); BA-CA sells Polish subsidiary Bank BPH to UniCredit

UniCredit transfers its CEE banking shareholdings to BA-CA (including Turkey, excluding Poland); BA-CA sells Polish subsidiary Bank BPH to UniCredit

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) significantly improved its results in the first half of 2006. Operating profit rose by 49.1 per cent to EUR 854 million (first half of 2005: EUR 573 million).

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) significantly improved its results in the first half of 2006. Operating profit rose by 49.1 per cent to EUR 854 million (first half of 2005: EUR 573 million).

The InvestorsCircle of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) invited its members to the summer theatre festival at Reichenau an der Rax on Sunday for this year's benefit gala.

After the extremely high level reached in June (58.0), the BA-CA Purchasing Managers' Index has fallen back slightly to 57.1.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) and its Central and Eastern European operations were awarded for their long term achievements in the region.

The correction on the international stock markets which started in May continued at the beginning of the third quarter. On the one hand, geopolitical issues have come to the fore again (violence in the Middle East), on the other, the reporting season in the USA has clearly been mixed so far.

The Vienna Stock Exchange is not expected to generate much excitement during the summer months with all indicators pointing to a sideways movement.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) Finanzservice has expanded its executive management team with the appointment of Siegfried Prietl.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA), a member of the UniCredit Group, has received a series of awards from the British financial magazine "Euromoney" in recognition of its activities and achievements in Central and Eastern Europe.

This year the Austrians' holiday euro will be worth slightly more compared to summer 2005 – although on average by only 1%.

Austrians save their money. Statistically speaking, each and every Austrian, from infants to grandparents, will save EUR 197 per month  in 2006.

The policy of the central banks is currently the main factor driving the markets. The main reason for this is fears that the central banks could carry interest rate hikes to excess.

For the third time, Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA), a member of the UniCredit Group, in collaboration with APA - Austria Presse Agentur is awarding the prestigious journalism prize “Writing for CEE”.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) has received EUR 150 million from Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) with which to extend low interest loans.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) has acquired a further 20 per cent of the shares in WED – Wiener Entwicklungsgesellschaft für den Donauraum AG, increasing its direct interest in WED from 18 to 38 per cent.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA), a member of the UniCredit Group, completed the sale of its Croatian banking subsidiary HVB Splitska banka to Société Générale, the French banking group.

On Monday, June 26, 2006, an international jury convened to decide the first winners of the Eastern European Literature Award.

After a slight dip in May the BA-CA Purchasing Managers’ Index rose again appreciably in June – from 56.7 to 58.0. Index readings above 50 indicate growth.

From October 2006 Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) will take over payments processing for the wireless provider T-Mobile Austria.

BA-CA Leasing has established a subsidiary in Ukraine in spring this year. In a next step HVB Bank Ukraine will take over a minority stake in this company of up to 9.9% and a capital injection from shareholders of 1 ml. USD is planned.

The Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB), the largest Austrian banks and insurance companies as well as the Austrian federal government have agreed on a support deal to ensure normal operations at BAWAG P.S.K. until the group’s planned sale. Prior to this decision, several key legal issues had been clarified by the Austrian Financial Market Authority and the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The volume of personal loans in the countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has increased tenfold since 2000. In the general process of catching up, demand for loans is growing strongly.

In the first quarter of 2006, Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) significantly improved its results.

In the first quarter of 2006, Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) significantly improved its results. Operating profit rose by 65 per cent to EUR 405 million (first quarter of 2005: EUR 245 million).

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) is planning a vigorous expansion of its business in Russia. International Moscow Bank (IMB), currently still a subsidiary of HypoVereinsbank, is to become part of the BA-CA network at the end of 2006.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) expands its Managing Board by two members to a total of eight persons. Pursuant to a resolution passed by the Supervisory Board at its meeting today, Werner Kretschmer (42) and Andrea Moneta (41) will join the Managing Board of BA-CA as new members.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) expands its Managing Board by two members to a total of eight persons. Pursuant to a resolution passed by the Supervisory Board at its meeting today, Werner Kretschmer (42) and Andrea Moneta (41) will join the Managing Board of BA-CA as new members.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) has come out Best Bank in Central and Eastern Europe from the “Best Emerging Markets Banks 2006” survey conducted by Global Finance.

The Annual General Meeting of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) will take place on 4 May 2006.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA), a member of UniCredit Group since November 2005, sells its Croatian banking subsidiary HVB Splitska banka to Société Générale, the French banking group.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA), a member of UniCredit Group since November 2005, sells its Croatian banking subsidiary HVB Splitska banka to Société Générale, the French banking group.

CA IB once more has been awarded for its research capabilities by leading industry magazines. Institutional Investor as well as AQ Research named CA IB best research providers in Hungary and Poland. Furthermore, the outstanding winner of AQ Research’s Turkish small cap survey is an employee of CA IB.

In 2005 the Bank Austria Creditanstalt Group (BA-CA) achieved record results. Net income before taxes and minority interests rose by 51.5 per cent to EUR 1.3 billion (2004: EUR 859 million).

In 2005 the Bank Austria Creditanstalt Group (BA-CA) achieved record results. Net income before taxes and minority interests rose by 51.5 per cent to EUR 1.3 billion (2004: EUR 859 million).

CA IB created a new index that reflects the enormous interest in the real estate sector for Emerging Europe investors from around the world: the CA IB Emerging Europe Real Estate Index (CA IB REX).

A shareholders’ agreement on the future role of Bank Austria Creditanstalt ("BA-CA") within UniCredit Group is going to be reached soon on the basis of the outcome of the negotiations held between UniCredito Italiano S.p.A. ("UniCredit"), Bayerische Hypovereinsbank A.G.("HVB"), BA-CA, Privatstiftung zur Verwaltung ("AVZ", an Austrian private foundation) and the Betriebsratsfonds ("BR Funds", the Workers Council Fund).

- BA-CA will become CEE sub-holding company within UniCredit Group
- BA-CA responsible for a market with more than 300 million people in 24 countries
- Capital base and profit potential increase significantly
- All necessary intra-group transactions will be at arm’s length

Thursday night, Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) and its Central and Eastern European network achieved numerous awards for their extraordinary achievements at Global Custodian’s awards ceremony in London.

Stefan Ermisch, currently a member of the Managing Board of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), has been appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the global Multinationals & Investment Banking Division of UniCredit, based in Munich.

Stefan Ermisch, currently a member of the Managing Board of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), has been appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the global Multinationals & Investment Banking Division of UniCredit, based in Munich.

In April, there will be two changes within the top management of HVB Bank Hungary. Matthias Kunsch, Chief Executive Officer of HVB Bank Hungary, and Ágnes Doffek, Managing Board member responsible for corporate banking, decided to leave the bank for retirement.

Over the coming 25 years, the new Member States (NMS) will converge to the EU-15 in terms of energy consumption. The energy intensity of their production will decrease. However, given the current high level, energy consumption of the NMS will remain far above the EU-15 level.

At a General Meeting held in the afternoon today, Mr Carlo Salvatori, Mr Alessandro Profumo and Mr Sergio Ermotti were elected as new members of the Supervisory Board of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA).

At a General Meeting held in the afternoon today, Mr Carlo Salvatori, Mr Alessandro Profumo and Mr Sergio Ermotti were elected as new members of the Supervisory Board of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA).

The importance of Turkey as a strategic partner for the EU has again come to the limelight, following the issue of Russian gas exports to the EU through the Ukraine.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt has designated the members of the board for the future “HVB Tiriac Bank”, its Romanian subsidiary.

Today, Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) acquired the majority share of 83.27 per cent in Nova Banjalucka Banka (NBB) in Republika Srpska, Bosnia & Herzegovina (BiH). The sellers of the 83.27 per cent majority interest are Mr. Dragoljub Lekic and European Construction Ltd. The remaining 16.73 per cent are owned by minority shareholders.