Banking & Finance
Unveiled threat
The currency's unchecked rise has Škoda Auto and other exporters worried
Looking ahead
The Prague Stock Exchange is set to take the first step in its modernization plan by introducing futures
Breaking the budget
Social benefit plan would threaten euro adoption criteria by raising state deficit, officials say
Strapped for cash
Sazka's financial problems causing worry
Taxing choice
Parties offer up differing proposals for a key election issue: Tax reform
The flip side
Adoption of the euro is set for Jan. 1, 2010, but critics say economic reform should come first
Unfair share?
Finance Ministry calls for another round in search for someone to handle EU funds account
Students form an attractive target for banks
Efforts to draw the younger crowd include loans, visits to schools
Small loan fears
Small and midsize customers find large banks are reluctant to lend to them - even when they can document their ability to repay
Know before you grow
SMEs that want to borrow money must work to get it
The great tax debate
Political parties vie for early election support with talk of flat tax, cuts and reform
Certified worldwide
ČSOB's certificate program helps Czech firms get ISO ratings, which could make them globally marketable
Tide change
Analysts say the ČR is no longer directly dependent on its western neighbor
State warns banks: Improve or pay
Will mandates kill banks' individuality?
The money edge
Foreign exchange firm on offensive as bank scores clients
Tele-gambling takes off
Phone wagering beats out Internet amid general upsurge in gambling
Majority rules
Regulations prompt calls for stricter squeeze-out laws
A taxing issue
Politicians struggle with aging pension system as the population grays
B2B payments without the pain
Co-branded Komerční banka card lets Makro keep its prices low
Small business, big market
[May 19, 2005]
Banks focus on SMEs as a market with growth potential
Banking on Post
[May 5, 2005]
Ceska posta pushes consolidated payments, takes aim at high bank fees
Blue chip blues
[April 21, 2005]
Citing low liquidity, narrow spreads, brokerages complain about the PSE's SPAD
Mediator
[April 7, 2005]
The country's first banking ombudsman on representing the rights of the little guy
Here to stay
[March 24, 2005]
Inbound tourism on rise despite strong crown, weak dollar
Bankruptcy debts to go to tender
[March 24, 2005]
State rejects offer to buy 5.2 billion Kc debt
Above the Fray
[March 10, 2005]
Crown stays strong in face of government crisis
A Course of Continuity
[Feb. 24, 2005]
Finding the real numbers
Sarbanes-Oxley requires companies to act more responsibly toward investors but compliance can be costly
THE PRICE OF OVERSPENDING
[Feb. 03, 2005]
High budget deficit may cost the country billions of crowns in EU subsidies
Investment lessons
[Jan. 20, 2005]
New TV series aims to turn viewers into investors on PSE
Crossing frontiers to safeguard the new euro
[Jan. 20, 2005]
Security company wins contract with Austrian banks
Playing With Numbers
[Jan. 06, 2005]
The state claims to be decreasing annual expenditures -- opposition groups say it's just an accounting trick
The cost of getting to work
[Jan. 06, 2005]
Left Behind
[Dec. 16, 2004]
Almost three-fourths of Czechs say the privatization process of state-owned property after 1989 was unjust and benefited the few
Weak dollar brings U.S. bank to local market
[Dec. 16, 2004]
KeyCorp to launch services in early 2005
Falling Like Leaves[Dec. 2, 2004]
Czech economy so far unfazed by declining dollar
CASHING IN ON CREDIT [Nov. 4, 2004]
Banks partner with popular brands to promote credit cards
Long overdue [Oct. 21, 2004]
Changes to regulations allow private pension funds to invest in foreign firms; state considers including private funds in public pension reform
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IN BRIEF
BONDS The Finance Ministry announced March 1 that it will issue bonds worth 40 billion Kč ($1.7 billion) in the second quarter. It will also issue 65 billion Kč in short-term treasury bills. The government will use the bonds to finance the state budget deficit.
BANK - Following a decision by the Cabinet to unify oversight power over the market's various financial sectors under the Czech National Bank (ČNB), the bank's supervisory board decided March 2 that Michaela Erbenová will be in charge of bank regulation. Luděk Niedermayer will oversee insurance, and Miroslav Singer will be responsible for the stock exchange.
TAXES - Finance Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said the government's plan to cut corporate income tax to 20 percent will be slowed if Parliament passes a bill to raise parental benefits, Mladá fronta Dnes reported March 4. If the bill is passed, parents with children between 6 months and 4 years old will receive more than 7,300 Kč a month starting in January 2007.
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