Press Archive 2007

"The venerable Archduke Charles will be guest of honour at the UniCredit Group Tower in Vienna's Heroes' Square", said Robert Zadrazil, Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) COO, announcing BA-CA's most unusual activity in connection with UEFA EURO 2008™.

The BA-CA Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell in December from 55.0 to 53.2. After the upturn in November, the Purchasing Managers’ Index dropped in December to its third lowest level this year.

UniCredit Markets & Investment Banking assumes that the impacts of the credit crisis will still be significant in the first quarter of 2008.

UBF Mittelstandsfinanzierungs AG, part of the Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) Private Equity Group, has successfully sold its stake in Electrovac AG.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt's (BA-CA) business indicator slightly increased to 4.1 in November (4.0 in October). However, this does not change the fact that economic sentiment already passed its peak this summer. This came as no real surprise in light of the high level of growth in the last few years.

Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has become an important factor for the world's automotive industry, which is a highly consolidated and globalised business. In 2006, the overall production of motor vehicles reached 69 million units and was dominated by three traditional automotive regions: North America, Japan and Western Europe.

Both open-ended property funds of BA-CA Real Invest, the centre of competence of Bank Austria Creditanstalt for real estate investments, performed extremely well again in 2007. As at the end of November 2007, assets under management totalled more than EUR 740 million.

Today, Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) has completed, as planned, the sale of loans previously called for repayment. The portfolio comprises non-performing loans to retail customers with a total nominal volume of about EUR 850 million.

Today, Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) has completed, as planned, the sale of loans previously called for repayment. The portfolio comprises non-performing loans to retail customers with a total nominal volume of about EUR 850 million.

In 2007 the manufacture of electrical and electronic products has been growing only slightly slower than in 2006, whereby production is expected to increase by around 5 percent and sector sales by approximately 7 percent.

Regardless of which index one looks at, the development of prices on the Vienna stock exchange is expected be on the lower end of the success scale in 2008.

In comparison with December 2006, Austrians' holiday euros will be worth less this year.

UniCredit Group has been elected Bank of the Year 2007 in CEE and Bank of the Year 2007 in Italy by the prestigious UK financial monthly The Banker.

All over the CEE region good economic performances and improved labour market conditions are driving fast accumulation of financial wealth creation.

The BA-CA Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose from 52.8 to 55.0 in November. Austria’s industry was able to break from the pack in November and posted good growth in spite of the poor global conditions overall.

Günter Populorum (46) was appointed to the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Bank Austria Creditanstalt Leasing (BA-CA Leasing) at the beginning of November.

The Austrian journalist Martin Leidenfrost is the winner of the "Writing for CEE" Award 2007. The award ceremony for the prize sponsored by Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) and APA – Austrian Press Agency took place on Wednesday evening in Vienna.

Fifteen rounds of the BA-CA ErfolgsCup 2007 were played on the best golf courses in Austria. Ninety of the roughly 1,500 Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) customers who participated qualified for the grand finale held a few days ago at The PGA Sultan course in Belek, Turkey.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA), a member of UniCredit Group, one of the leading European banking groups, achieved a significant improvement in its results in the first nine months of 2007 compared with the same period of the previous year, despite the turbulence in financial markets.

Today, Bank Austria Creditanstalt AG ("BA-CA"), responsible within the UniCredit Group for commercial banking activities in CEE, has finalized the acquisition of 91.8 % of the total issued share capital of JSC ATF Bank ("ATF" or the "Bank") for a consideration of approximately US $ 2,117 million (approximately € 1,452 million at current exchange rates).

Today, Bank Austria Creditanstalt AG ("BA-CA"), responsible within the UniCredit Group for commercial banking activities in CEE, has finalized the acquisition of 91.8 % of the total issued share capital of JSC ATF Bank ("ATF" or the "Bank") for a consideration of approximately US $ 2,117 million (approximately € 1,452 million at current exchange rates).

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA), a member of UniCredit Group, one of the leading European banking groups, achieved a significant improvement in its results in the first nine months of 2007 compared with the same period of the previous year, despite the turbulence in financial markets.

As of 1 December there is to be a change at the top of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) in Carinthia: Christian Forster, 48, will become the new regional head with a remit of retail and business customers.

The subsidiaries of UniCredit Group in the Czech Republic merged into "UniCredit Bank". The integration process of HVB Bank and Živnostenská banka was finalised on Monday 5 November.

In 2006, the Austrian machine building sector again posted one of the best performances when compared both to other industries in Austria and the sector throughout the rest of Europe. Production increased by 9.3 per cent and sales increased by 15.1 per cent, reaching about €18 bn.

The BA-CA Purchasing Managers' Index (BA-CA PMI) fell from 55.4 to 52.8 in October, which is the lowest level for two years. The main trigger for the fall in the BA-CA PMI was the decline in incoming orders.

Austrian financial institutions are bracing themselves for a veritable customer rush. Around two million savers, or one in four Austrians, intend to visit their bank on World Savings Day. This is one of the findings of the current BA-CA Money Investment Barometer, a representative survey conducted by the market research institute FESSEL-GfK for Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA).

The final quarter of this year is set to be dominated by the question of how much the financial crisis in the summer will leave its mark on other areas of the economy, if it has not done so already. There are definitely signs of a minor cool-down in economic activity (real estate market in the USA still weak, labour market data also slightly disappointing), but the interest rate cut of the US Federal Reserve in September fuelled the hopes of market players that the intervention of the Fed would calm things down.

The UniCredit Group has the most comprehensive network in Europe. This enables the Group to offer a special product to its multipresent corporate customers: the Cross Border Plus Credit. This is a custom-tailored solution, for start up companies as well as for mid- and large-sized companies, to arrange the financing of their subsidiaries in the CEE countries as well as Italy, Austria and Germany.

A reshuffle in the top management of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) is to take place on 1 January 2008, when, subject to Supervisory Board approval, Ralph Müller, 39, will assume responsibility for business with domestic retail customers within the BA-CA Management Board.

The region of South Eastern Europe continues to deliver strong growth well above EU level. 2007 will be another year of fast growth for this region, with an expected GDP increase of 5.9%. Growth continues to be supported by lively consumption and investment activity.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt's (BA-CA) business indicator fell in September from 4.8 to 4.3. This equals the biggest drop in 2.5 years.

The foundation stone ceremony marked the start of construction on the Wien Mitte NEU project. Wien Mitte is Vienna’s biggest inner city construction project and comprises a multifunctional building with a gross floor area of 127,000 square metres and includes building over Wien Mitte station.

Economists around the world continue to advise caution because the crisis is not yet over, but the warnings are falling on deaf ears as far as the stock markets are concerned.

Since 1 September, Stephan Knechtel, 44, has headed up the newly created "Sourcing Austria & CEE" division at Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA). Over the last one and a half years Knechtel has globalised and thus restructured procurements in Milan as the head of sourcing at UniCredit Italy.

In Slovakia the inflation reached a historical low point in August, meeting the relevant Maastricht criterion for the first time.

Bank Austria (BA-CA) has obtained EUR 150 million from Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) to provide low-interest loans. This money is targeted specifically at Austrian small and medium-sized enterprises and is intended to support them with their long-term investment plans.

The BA-CA Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) confounded expectations again in September, rising from 54.5 to 55.4.

The average Austrians' "principal banks" enjoy a clear lead in terms of trust as far as financing individual construction and housing projects are concerned.

UniCredit Group is introducing a master brand strategy. Under this strategy, the master brand – "UniCredit Group" – with its logo and design will be reflected in the brands used in the countries and business segments in which the Group is active. T

UniCredit Group is introducing a master brand strategy. Under this strategy, the master brand – "UniCredit Group" – with its logo and design will be reflected in the brands used in the countries and business segments in which the Group is active.

Christina Wreth, 35, is the new head of the Identity & Communications department at Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA).

In the face of the floods and the resulting damage to buildings and consumer goods, Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) is once again offering particularly attractive finance, as it did in April 2006, as a matter of priority in parts of Lower Austria, which is available immediately to help flood victims.

In August, the value of the business indicator of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) remained unchanged at 4.7. Spirits remained high in Austria, both in industry as well as amongst consumers, even rising again slightly after the downturn in July. It was only industry in the euro area that experienced a slight downturn in sentiment once again.

Martin Halama, 43, will assume the function of Press Officer for Austrian business at Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) with effect from 3 September.

The BA-CA Purchasing Managers' Index climbed up to 54.5 in August, after having improved modestly to 53.8 in July (any values over 50 signal growth).

The Turkish real estate market is at least as attractive for commercial real estate investors and developers as the growth region South Eastern Europe.

Carry trades - investing in high yield currencies funded by loans in low yield currencies - were among the most popular trading strategies in the course of the last few years.

In July the business indicator of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) fell from its record high of 4.9 to 4.7.

In March 2007, BA-CA Real Invest was the first company in Austria to launch a second open-ended property fund, "Real Invest Europe", for subscription.

Johann Strobl is leaving Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA). Johann Strobl, 47, has been a member of the Management Board of BA-CA since 2004 and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) since 2006. He will leave the bank at his own request in order to assume a new function outside the Group.

Johann Strobl is leaving Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA).

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) continued to increase its earnings power substantially in the first six months of 2007. Contributions to this strong performance came from all of the bank's Divisions.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) continued to increase its earnings power substantially in the first six months of 2007. Contributions to this strong performance came from all of the bank's Divisions.

UniCredit Group’s GBS (Global Banking Services) activities, headed by Deputy CEO Paolo Fiorentino, are being structured along four newly formed departments, which will be headed by Massimo Milanta, Matthias Sohler, Paolo Cederle and Robert Zadrazil, it was announced today.

The Bank Austria Creditanstalt Purchasing Manager's Index (BA-CA PMI) rose again slightly in July from 53.5 to 53.8 after its dip in June. This is indicative of stabilising industrial growth

With the intention to further strengthen its investment banking activities, Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) will combine them under the roof of CA IB and under the operating management of Willi Hemetsberger.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) is taking over FactorBank. BA-CA acquires 38 per cent of the shares in FactorBank from Raiffeisen Zentralbank and 10 per cent of FactorBank's shares from Oberbank.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) is taking over FactorBank. BA-CA acquires 38 per cent of the shares in FactorBank from Raiffeisen Zentralbank and 10 per cent of FactorBank's shares from Oberbank.

The newly released "Turkey – Profile of a Converging Economy" offers investors a comprehensive look at this booming market on the Bosporus.

Building up a "contingency fund" is the single most frequent motivation for Austrians to save.

The renowned UK finance magazine Euromoney has awarded Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) the title of "Best Bank in Austria 2007".

In its regular Board meeting of July 17, UniCredit Group Board of Directors approved CEO Alessandro Profumo's proposal to appoint Sergio Ermotti, Paolo Fiorentino and Roberto Nicastro as Deputy CEOs directly reporting to him.

In June the economic indicator of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) rose to 4.9, yet another record high.

International equities markets continued on their merry way during the first half of the year, even though some soft patches did manage to dampen the optimistic stock exchange sentiment from time to time, while volatility has also risen sharply recently.

While the value of the holiday euro has increased slightly in the most popular vacation destination, Italy, for the first time in years, the value of the holiday euro has fallen in many other popular countries because of inflation and relative value gains.

After falling steadily in price since the first quarter, Viennese real estate stocks have now reached especially attractive valuation levels. The prices are approaching those seen 12 months ago, spurring the analysts at UniCredit (CA IB) to take a closer look at the sector.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt AG (BA-CA), responsible within the UniCredit Group for commercial banking activities in CEE, has signed an agreement to acquire approximately 95 percent of the share capital of Ukrsotsbank (USB) from the group of investors represented by Interpipe Group.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt AG (BA-CA), responsible within the UniCredit Group for commercial banking activities in CEE, has signed an agreement to acquire approximately 95 percent of the share capital of Ukrsotsbank (USB) from the Group of investors represented by Interpipe Group.

Since 1 July 2007, Federico Ghizzoni is the new member of BA-CA’s Management Board with responsibility for the CEE business. At the same time, he was appointed as the new Head of Poland’s Markets Division within UniCredit Group.

After rising slightly in May, the Purchasing Managers’ Index of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) fell again in June from 54.1 to 53.5.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA), responsible for Central and Eastern Europe within UniCredit Group, opened a representative office in Montenegro.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA), responsible within the UniCredit Group for commercial banking activities in CEE, has signed a share purchase agreement with private shareholders to acquire a majority shareholding in ATF Bank today.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA), responsible within the UniCredit Group for commercial banking activities in CEE, has signed a share purchase agreement with private shareholders to acquire a majority shareholding in ATF Bank today.

Today, Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) has given notice to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to exercise its call option to acquire 12,978 common shares of its Russian subsidiary International Moscow Bank (IMB), representing a shareholding of 2.79 per cent of IMB’s total share capital.

Today, Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) has given notice to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to exercise its call option to acquire 12,978 common shares of its Russian subsidiary International Moscow Bank (IMB), representing a shareholding of 2.79 per cent of IMB’s total share capital.

In May the economic indicator of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) rose to 4.7, its highest level since 1990.

EK Mittelstandsfinanzierungs AG (EK Fin) is acquiring 80% of the shares in the German mechanical engineering group, the Moll Group.

A balanced macro environment coupled with continued low volatility in growth and inflation figures has enabled central banks to continue their steady process of normalisation.

The merger of the UniCredit Group banking subsidiaries in Romania, HVB Tiriac Bank and UniCredit Romania was finalised on 1 June by creating a new financial institution, UniCredit Tiriac Bank. UniCredit Tiriac Bank is the fourth largest bank in Romania with 3.7 billion Euro total assets, more than 600,000 customers and an extensive network of 132 branches.

The Purchasing Managers’ Index of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) recovered somewhat after the sharp fall in April, rising from 52.9 to 54.1.

The chemical sector in Austria recorded an increase in turnover of 17.7 percent in 2006. Yet this record figure did not translate into corresponding gains in earnings.

On the occasion of the state visit by Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Vienna, Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) has signed two cooperation agreements with Vnesheconombank (VEB), the Russian Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs.

For the fourth time, Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA), a member of the UniCredit Group, in co-operation with the APA – Austria Presse Agency is announcing the prestigious journalism prize "Writing for CEE".

On 1 May Gerald Krenn, 39, became the new Head of Retail Marketing. He succeeded Martin Hehemann, 42, who has been appointed Head of Brand Management at the UniCredit Group Holding but who will remain responsible for the Identity & Communications department at Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA).

In 2006, financial assets held by CEE households  continued to increase, posting double-digit growth for the third year in a row to reach EUR 583 billion (+14 per cent, 2005: EUR 510 billion), or 57 per cent of GDP.

Starting from June, Martin Steininger (33) will be a new Board Member at Mezzanin Finanzierungs AG. He is replacing Christian Künzl.

The economic indicator of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) rose in April to 4.7, its highest level since 1990.

The financial magazines Global Finance and Acquisitions Monthly have acknowledged the outstanding role of UniCredit Group in the field of investment banking in Europe.

Mezzanin Finanzierungs AG, Austria's first specialist bank for mezzanine capital, which was only founded in 2002, has again made a profit in financial year 2006.

At the Annual General Meeting of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA), the squeeze-out of minority shareholders against a cash compensation of EUR 129.4 was approved yesterday evening with a majority of 98.6 per cent of the voting rights (under the new Austrian Squeeze-out Act).

At the Annual General Meeting of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA), the squeeze-out of minority shareholders against a cash compensation of EUR 129.4 was approved yesterday evening with a majority of 98.6 per cent of the voting rights (under the new Austrian Squeeze-out Act).

The integration of the new subsidiaries in Central and Eastern Europe has given a strong impetus to the growth of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA). In the first three months of 2007, consolidated profit rose by 73.8 per cent to EUR 535 million (Q1 2006: EUR 308 million).

The integration of the new subsidiaries in Central and Eastern Europe has given a strong impetus to the growth of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA). In the first three months of 2007, consolidated profit rose by 73.8 per cent to EUR 535 million (Q1 2006: EUR 308 million).

The positive market sentiment prevailing on global stock markets and the vast amounts of liquidity sloshing around companies and investment companies looking for attractive investments give grounds for hoping for some exciting developments.

Rubber and plastics manufacture, or plastics processing for short, increased its output in Austria by 16 percent and sales by 14 percent in 2006. Total sales in the last year stood at EUR 5.1 billion.

UniCredit Group aims to expand its leading position and pursue further growth in the fast-growing region of Central and Eastern Europe. Based on organic growth, the Group will open some 200 new branches by the end of 2008.

The subsidiaries of UniCredit Group in Bulgaria, the three banks Bulbank, HVB Bank Biochim and Hebros Bank, merged into "UniCredit Bulbank" as of 27 April 2007 when the last court registration to the new entity has been granted.

The Purchasing Managers’ Index of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) fell again in April from 55.6 to 52.9 (values above 50 indicate growth), its lowest level since October 2005.

A new regional director has been appointed to the Lower Austria West region. As of 1 May 2007 Andrea Staufer-Waldert, 42, will head the Private and Corporate Business of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA).

Wolfgang Schilk, 40, has been appointed head of the Retail Credit department as of 1 May 2007. In this capacity Schilk will bear overall responsibility for the financing business in the Private and Corporate Customers segment. 

The UniCredit Group has decided to back UEFA EURO 2008 as one of its four national supporters.

Renate Graber, Economics Editor of the daily newspaper "DER STANDARD", has been awarded the highly prestigious Professor Horst Knapp Prize by Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) for her journalistic achievements in 2006.

The impressive progress made by Turkey in the last five years in terms of economic stability and convergence towards European standards has dramatically increased the attractiveness of the country for foreign investors, especially for European investors (in parallel with the Turkish convergence process to the European Union).

Bernadett Tátrai ist seit 16. April 2007 als neues Vorstandsmitglied für das Privatkundengeschäft sowie als stellvertretende Vorstandsvorsitzende der ungarischen Tochterbank der Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA), der UniCredit Bank Hungary, tätig.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt makes the following statements in response to the Polygon hedge fund's application, published in today's "Amtsblatt der Wiener Zeitung" (Official Gazette), for proceedings to be initiated by the Austrian Takeover Commission.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt makes the following statements in response to the Polygon hedge fund's application, published in today's "Amtsblatt der Wiener Zeitung" (Official Gazette), for proceedings to be initiated by the Austrian Takeover Commission.

Owing to strong growth, BANKPRIVAT is adding two new members to its Managing Board: on 1 June 2007 Rudolf Weininger, 48, and Nikolaus Hetfleisch, 50, will be joining the bank's Board of Directors.

The economic indicator of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) remained at a high level again in March at 4.4, down only marginally on its high in February of 4.5.

BA-CA Wohnbaubank has closed financial year 2006 with an excellent result and increased its total issuance volume by EUR 326 million to EUR 3.8 billion, which more than a third of all the residential construction bonds in circulation in Austria.

If you take a look over the last twelve months from the end of March 2007, two corrections are visible on the international equities markets, the first in the early summer of 2006 and the second, softer adjustment at the end of February / beginning of March 2007.

Nach der Entscheidung von Präsident Viktor Juschtschenko das Ukrainische Parlament, die Verchowna Rada, aufzulösen muss nun der ukrainische Verfassungsgerichtshof beurteilen, ob diese Auflösung rechtskräftig ist.

Andrea Moneta is set to leave the Group to pursue a new career opportunity.

Andrea Moneta is set to leave the Group to pursue a new career opportunity.

HVB Bank Slovakia and UniBanka, the two banks of UniCredit Group in Slovakia, finalized their integration process on 2 April 2007.

The Purchasing Managers' Index of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) fell in March from 57.8 to 55.6 (values above 50 indicate growth), the lowest level for one year.

Today, TPA Horwath Wirtschaftsprüfung GmbH (“TPA Horwath”), the independent auditor appointed by the competent commercial court of Vienna, has released its report on the cash compensation to be paid in the context of envisaged BA-CA squeeze-out.

Today, TPA Horwath Wirtschaftsprüfung GmbH (“TPA Horwath”), the independent auditor appointed by the competent commercial court of Vienna, has released its report on the cash compensation to be paid in the context of envisaged BA-CA squeeze-out.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) Finanzservice is getting a new two-person management team: Erich Mayer, 50, assumed responsibility for personnel, finances, controlling, organisation, IT and product support at the beginning of March.

Today, UniCredito Italiano S.p.A. (UniCredit) and the Management Board of Bank Austria Creditanstalt AG (BA-CA) fixed the cash compensation to be paid for the planned squeeze-out at an amount of EUR 129.4 per share.

Today, UniCredito Italiano S.p.A. (UniCredit) and the Management Board of Bank Austria Creditanstalt AG (BA-CA) fixed the cash compensation to be paid for the planned squeeze-out at an amount of EUR 129.4 per share.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA), a member of UniCredit Group, increased its adjusted profit before tax by 21 per cent to EUR 1.5 billion. In total its profit before tax increased to EUR 3.3 billion (2005: EUR 1.3 billion).

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA), a member of UniCredit Group, increased its adjusted profit before tax by 21 per cent to EUR 1.5 billion. In total its profit before tax increased to EUR 3.3 billion (2005: EUR 1.3 billion).

On average, the holiday euro is worth as much abroad in spring 2007 as it was last year. However, the calculations of the Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) economists show that there have been a number of changes in the price ratios.

In addition to his responsibilities as head of procurements at Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA), Stephan Knechtel, 43, has now also taken over the same duties for UniCredit Italy. He is therefore in charge of "Global Procurement" in Italy, Austria and 14 countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

UniCredit Group has, with the closing of the CEE transfers to BA-CA, completed the reorganisation of its Central Eastern European banking business.

UniCredit Group has, with the closing of the CEE transfers to BA-CA, completed the reorganisation of its Central Eastern European banking business.

The domestic tourism sector was not able to increase the number of overnight stays in 2006, but still upped its revenue by 4 per cent. Foreign and domestic holidaymakers spent nearly EUR 20 million in Austria last year.

The economic indicator of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) in February remained at the record level achieved in January of 4.5.  The continued rise in consumer and business sentiment in Austria has kept the BA-CA economic indicator in a lofty position despite the less positive sentiment in business throughout the euro area.

The UniCredit Group Division Markets & Investment Banking has unified its market image at the global level, in order to highlight its size and power as effectively as possible.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt Leasing (BA-CA Leasing) has purchased the other half of its subsidiary firm BA-CA Fuhrparkmanagement.

A change of management is looming at the top of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) in Upper Austria: with effect from 2 May 2007 Heinz Martinek, 55, will take over the role of Regional Director for Private and Corporate Customers.

Among Central Eastern European countries (CEE), Slovakia is the frontrunner for euro accession in 2009, after Slovenia adopted the euro at the beginning of 2007.

The decline in the BA-CA Purchasing Managers' Index in January was followed in February by another increase.

Christian Suppanz, 56, has been appointed new Chief Risk Officer of Zagrebacka Banka as of 4 February.

On 1 November 2006 Gerald Krenn took over as head of the newly created Customer Satisfaction Management unit in the Austrian private customer segment of  Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA).

The Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) business indicator rose from 4.1 to 4.5 in January.

The Supervisory Board of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) has renewed the employment contract of Regina Prehofer, the Management Board member responsible for corporate banking at BA-CA, for three years until 2010.

Ulrike Frühwirth, 48, has been appointed head of the newly created Corporates Human Resources unit at Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA). Kurt Guwak, 47, is to head the Retail Human Resources & Communication unit, which was set up at the same time.  

The Vienna stock market continues to offer numerous incentives. On the one hand, it is not too expensive, and on the other, the economic environment for ATX companies is looking extremely good.

Following the sharp rise in the BA-CA Purchase Managers' Index (BA-CA PMI) during the past year, growth is likely to have peaked in November 2006. Having fallen slightly for the first time in December to 57.7, the PMI recorded a perceptible downturn to 56.0 in January.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) is supporting Oikocredit Initiative Austria with a payment of EUR 20,000.

Martin Hehemann is responsible within Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) for communications and retail marketing.

The Supervisory Board of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) approved a restructuring plan regarding infrastructure investment, reorganisation and restructuring measures in the Retail Division, the Corporate Division, in Markets and Investment Banking, Global Banking Services, Support Services and Risk Management.

The Supervisory Board of Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) approved a restructuring plan regarding infrastructure investment, reorganisation and restructuring measures in the Retail Division, the Corporate Division, in Markets and Investment Banking, Global Banking Services, Support Services and Risk Management.

The financial magazine Finance New Europe named CA IB the best investment bank in Central and Eastern Europe for the second time in a row.

After what in principle was a very pleasing stock exchange year in 2006 the equity markets have kept their momentum going into the New Year, even though the very first trading days were somewhat volatile.

The Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) business indicator fell slightly in December from 4.2 to 4.1, but remained above 4 for the fourth time in a row.

The Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries are definitely among the winners in international trade performance in the past decade.

BA-CA Real Invest has sold a package of seven office properties in Prague and Warsaw for more than EUR 198 million to a fund of the global company Pramerica Real Estate Investors.

Nine out of ten Austrians who have a bank account with access to Internet Banking trust the security precautions taken by their bank for online money transactions.

Ruth Fritzer, 38, has taken over the management of the newly created department of "Corporates Marketing" at Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA). In this capacity she is in charge of all marketing activities in the field of corporate clients and reports directly to Regina Prehofer, member of the Managing Board.

HVB has sold its interest of 70.26 per cent in International Moscow Bank (IMB) to BA-CA in cash for a price totalling € approx. 1 billion.

Bank Austria Creditanstalt (BA-CA) has, today at 11:11 o’clock, completed the  acquisition of the majority interest held in International Moscow Bank (IMB) by HVB.

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.

Austria is optimistic about 2007. 33 percent of all Austrians believe that the economic conditions of their country will be better this year than in 2006, contrasted with the 15 percent who believe the situation will get worse.

The US financial magazine "Global Finance" named UniCredit Group "Best Trade Finance Bank in Central and Eastern Europe".

Today, exactly one hundred years ago on 2 January 1907, Zentralsparkasse (Central Savings Bank) of the City of Vienna opened its doors to customers in the old City Hall building in Wipplingerstraße.