The Green Deal (EN) #responsiblebanking

Jörg BAYER MAY 12, 2025 17:04 CEST

Even the EUR ESG market is unable to escape Trump's influence. We saw the weakest start to the year since 2020, although the ESG bond markets were significantly less developed at that time. He is also having at least an indirect influence on the fact that more and more investors are questioning exclusion criteria for the defense industry. Despite all the weakness in the EUR ESG market, the erosion of the USD ESG market that we are currently experiencing, is even more severe.

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Albania Watch: Vote-o-Rama, Albania's Socialists Sweep the Floor

Fjorent RRUSHI MAY 12, 2025 14:07 CEST

Albania's Socialist Party, led by Prime Minister Edi Rama, is on the brink of securing a historic three-fifths parliamentary majority following the May 11 elections. With 52.3% of the national vote counted, they are set to gain over 80 seats, empowering them to amend crucial laws. This victory, amid lower local voter turnout, reflects strong support for EU membership by 2030, while new political groups challenge the status quo.

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Serbia Watch: Inflation on a safe downward path

Ljiljana GRUBIC MAY 12, 2025 13:50 CEST

Despite monthly inflation speeding to 0.3% mom (March: +0.1% mom), the annualized print decelerated to 4% yoy in April after 4.4% yoy print in March, further bolstering its position within the inflation target (+3% 1.5pp).

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Serbia Watch: Nothing new, benchmark rate flat at 5.75%

Ljiljana GRUBIC MAY 09, 2025 13:07 CEST

As was widely expected, Executive Board of the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) stuck to its policy of maintaining the benchmark rate flat at 5.75%, as well as the deposit and credit facility rates, 4.5% and 7%, respectively.

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Fed Watch: Wait-and-see

Franz ZOBL MAY 08, 2025 07:14 CEST

Constant key rates, only small adjustments in Fed communication and no substantial market reaction. The May FOMC meeting was no blockbuster. The Fed emphasized more uncertainty and upside risks to both unemployment and inflation. The extent and persistence of which will determine when the Fed will restart its rate cutting cycle. Based on the current state of the US economy, the Fed is in no hurry.

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Czechia Watch: The last rate cut this year?

Martin KRON MAY 07, 2025 17:31 CEST

In line with our and market forecasts, the CNB Bank Board maintained its stop-and-go mode and cut interest rates by 25 bp. The base rate will thus fall to 3.50%. Six board members raised their hands to support this decision, while one voted to keep interest rates stable.

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Croatian Tourism in 2024 and 2025 outlook

Zrinka ZIVKOVIC-MATIJEVIC MAY 07, 2025 10:57 CEST

As the Easter holidays and the "official" start of the tourist pre-season approach, tourism topics once again come into focus, which is unsurprising given its importance in the Croatian economy. In 2024, tourism receipts accounted for nearly 18% of the domestic GDP, up from 13% in 2000. Over the same period, total accommodation capacity increased by as much as 78%, with private accommodation nearly tripling. This development highlights the extent to which disposable income and household consumption are tied to this sector. The structure of accommodation capacities, where hotels account for only about 14%, is closely linked to Croatia's pronounced seasonality and a relatively low share of employment in the accommodation and food service sector, which stood at 5.7% in 2024. Furthermore, Croatia still significantly lags behind its Mediterranean peers with revenues per overnight stay of 176 euros in 2024.

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