Archive of articles - May 2014, page 8
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Scientologist lets his people win tenders
SUSPICIOUS public tenders involving bidders who know each other and are associated with the Church of Scientology is how the Sme daily described the operation of Smer’s nominee Martin Wiedermann, who heads the state Central Depository of Securities.
Paying by bank card could pay off
AS ONLINE shopping grows in Slovakia, so does the awareness that paying with a bank card offers increased flexibility should something go wrong. In other words, in cases where the goods or services do not arrive, the charges can be refunded directly to the card by the bank itself.
Report: EU funds threatened
SLOVAKIA might lose billions of euros it receives from the European Union after an audit found mishaps in the projects funded from the European coffers.
Exercise: Antibiotics resistance a growing danger
This exercise is linked to the article: Antibiotics resistance a growing danger
Deflation continues, production up
WHILE inflation continues not to improve this year and has dropped for the third consecutive month, other areas monitored by the Slovak Statistics Office (ŠÚ) are showing improvement. The recent statistics show industrial and construction production to be in better shape than last year.
Private banking gaining traction
A QUARTER century after the Iron Curtain fell private banking is firmly rooted in Slovakia. Still, compared with western Europe, such avenues for managing personal wealth remain in their infancy.“When we look at the history of private banking, for example, in the United Kingdom, it dates back to the 17th century,” Katarína Sásiková, head of private banking at J&T, told The Slovak Spectator. “In Slovakia, this service does not have such a history and also because of this, its current situation is different.”
Some banks active in Slovakia
Universal banksBKS Bank AG, www.bksbank.skCitibank, www.citibank.comČeskoslovenská Obchodná Banka (ČSOB), www.csob.skCommerzbank,www.commerzbank.skPrima Banka, www.primabanka.skING Bank, www.ingbank.skOberbank, www.oberbank.skOTP Banka Slovensko, www.otpbank.skPoštová Banka, www.pabk.skSaxo Bank, sk.saxobank.comSlovenská Sporiteľňa, www.slsp.skTatra Banka, www.tatrabanka.skUniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia, www.unicreditbank.skSberbank Slovensko, www.sberbank.skVÚB Banka, www.vub.sk
GDP data outpaces market expecations
SLOVAKIA’S economy exceeded the expectations of market watchers when in the first quarter it grew by 2.4 percent year-on-year. Compared to its performance in the last quarter of 2013 when it grew by 1.5 percent, the flash estimate released by the statistics authority on May 15 represents a rather significant acceleration. Though detailed numbers are not available, analysts attribute the rosier results to growing household consumption, foreign trade and government spending.
More security on Ukrainian border
EXTRA security along Slovakia’s eastern border with Ukraine should be extended by summer, Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák said after the May 14 cabinet session. He added that the measures can be eased later.
Institutions and organisations in the banking sector
Ministry of Finance, www.finance.gov.skMinister: Peter KažimírNational Bank of Slovakia (NBS),www.nbs.sk Slovak Banking Association,www.sbaonline.sk
Kováčik re-elected for 3rd term
SPECIAL prosecutor Dušan Kováčik, whom Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák called the right man in the right place, was re-elected on May 15 by parliament. Political ethics watchdogs groups had argued that after a decade on the job it was time for Kováčik to be replaced.
Internet banking up
THE NUMBER of Slovaks using internet banking has almost doubled over the last five years. While only a bit more than two people out of 10 administered their finances online in 2008, now it is four in 10, the latest survey by Poštová Banka showed.
Another Korean bank arrives
THE OLDEST and one of the biggest banks operating in South Korea plans to do business in Slovakia. Shinhan Bank will open a branch office in Poland within one month, through which it plans to operate in Slovakia too, the Hospodárske Noviny daily wrote on May 12.
Banks not closing branches
BANKS in Slovakia continue to open new branches despite an increasing number of clients using internet banking. This trend in Slovakia runs contrary to the results of a study by consultancy firm Bain & Company, forecasting that banks in the European Union will close 40 percent of their branch offices, the Sme daily wrote on April 22.
PMÚ confirms fine for ČSOB
THE COUNCIL of the Antitrust Office (PMÚ) has upheld a fine for ČSOB bank, a decision the office issued last October. The bank will have to pay nearly €3.2 million for its participation in a cartel agreement on non-cash foreign exchange operations. The decision became valid on April 11, the SITA newswire reported.
Credit registers dictate loan conditions
CREDIT registers collect information about the payment history and discipline of borrowers and help banks assess the creditworthiness of loan applicants. Applicants can benefit from the registers too, as those with a good credit history and discipline have increased chances of getting a loan, and at a better rate.
Wurst
AUSTRIAN drag queen and recent Eurovision song contest winner Conchita Wurst may bear a passing resemblance to a certain Slovak cabinet member, but that is not the main reason why the competition should be noticed in Slovakia. It also illustrates a good point about the Slovak public broadcaster.
Banda launches second album
AFTER the success of their debut album, world music group Banda is coming out with its sophomore release, HraBanda. Their first album, Banda Jedna, released in 2011, reached number eight on the European World Music Chart and stayed in the Top 20 for several weeks.
Banking sector up
THE SLOVAK banking sector increased its profitability in 2013 and further improved its capital adequacy in 2013, with banks doing well thanks especially to sound growth in retail loans, which translated into a boost in net interest income. The National Bank of Slovakia (NBS) wrote this in its analysis of the Slovak financial sector for 2013, the TASR newswire reported.
Antibiotics resistance a growing danger
A glossary of words as well as an exercise related to this article are also published online.
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- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Convicted of multiple murders, Slovakia’s mafia boss seeks release from prison
- News digest: Prosecutor seeks jail for NBS Governor Kažimír as his political support wanes
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- Convicted of multiple murders, Slovakia’s mafia boss seeks release from prison
- News digest: Prosecutor seeks jail for NBS Governor Kažimír as his political support wanes
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Digital Jarvis is real now. He is coming for your to-do list
- Convicted of multiple murders, Slovakia’s mafia boss seeks release from prison
- The disinformation scene has become a tool of media capture
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- A mayor resigns over €2.7 million fraud scandal at town hall
- He designed Gatwick. But this is his masterpiece
- Fico praises China and Vietnam as models, says liberal democracy has failed
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- News digest: Prosecutor seeks jail for NBS Governor Kažimír as his political support wanes
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- Slovakia plans to restrict access to new medicines amid funding shortfall
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process More articles ›
