Association of Austrian Regional Mortgage Banks

The Verband der Österreichischen Landes-Hypothekenbanken (Association of Austrian Regional Mortgage Banks), commonly known as the Hypo-Verband, is the central interest representation body for Austria's regional mortgage banks (Landes-Hypothekenbanken), their subsidiaries, and their shared institutions. Founded in 1947, it is registered as an association (Verein) in the Austrian register of associations under ZVR 238782683. Its primary statutory purpose is to safeguard and promote the common interests of its members through joint consultations and resolutions, and to coordinate positions with other credit-sector associations. It also serves as the Fachverband (professional association) representing the sector within the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (Wirtschaftskammer Österreich, WKO), a role it has held since 1988. The association is led by a president and two vice-presidents together with a secretary-general (Verbandsgeschäftsführer). Its highest body is the Vollversammlung (general assembly), and a Direktorenkonferenz (directors' conference) meets quarterly, typically comprising the chairmen of the member institutions' boards. The Hypo-Verband's ongoing activities include representing mortgage banks' interests in cooperation with the WKO and the Financial Market Authority (FMA), coordinating with other Austrian credit-sector associations, cooperating with the Bundesverband Öffentlicher Banken Deutschlands (VÖB) and the European Association of Public Banks (EAPB) in Brussels, and disseminating information on legislative developments. It also plays a key role in shaping the collective bargaining agreement (Kollektivvertrag) for employees of the Austrian Landes-Hypothekenbanken. The member banks operate as joint-stock companies and function as regionally anchored universal banks headquartered in the provincial capitals, focusing on long-term housing construction and municipal credit as well as corporate and private customer business. Following the 2003 understanding between the Republic of Austria and the European Commission, the general provincial guarantees (Landeshaftungen) expired on 30 September 2017. Ownership structures vary: some member banks are majority-held by individual federal provinces, while others have passed entirely into private ownership. Full members include Hypo-Bank Burgenland AG, Austrian Anadi Bank AG, Hypo Noe Landesbank für Niederösterreich und Wien AG, Oberösterreichische Landesbank AG, Hypo Tirol Bank AG, and Hypo Vorarlberg Bank AG. Extraordinary members include Raiffeisenlandesbank Oberösterreich AG, Raiffeisen-Landesbank Steiermark AG, Österreichischer Gemeindebund, Österreichischer Städtebund, UniCredit Bank Austria AG, and the Bundesverband Öffentlicher Banken Deutschlands (VÖB). Sector institutions include Hypo-Wohnbaubank AG, Hypo-Bildung GmbH, and Hypo-Banken-Holding GmbH.

The Landes-Hypothekenbanken (regional mortgage banks) were founded around the turn of the 19th/20th century by territorial authorities and provinces under princely rule as public-law corporations. Considerations for such institutions existed as early as 1763, at the end of the Seven Years' War, when the need to repair devastation and to loosen or abolish serfdom increased general capital demand. The aim was to promote money and credit circulation, on the one hand by securing loans on land, and on the other by providing provincial guarantees for non-profit mortgage bond institutes or by endowing universal banks with special advantages or 'privileges'. The purpose was to promote the issuance of mortgage and municipal bonds (Pfand- und Kommunalbriefe) to refinance long-term mortgage and municipal loans. The Verband der österreichischen Landes-Hypothekenbanken was founded in 1947 as the central interest representation of the Austrian Landes-Hypothekenbanken, their subsidiaries, and their shared institutions. It is registered as an association (Verein) in the Austrian register of associations under ZVR 238782683. The association is led by a president and two vice-presidents together with a secretary-general (Verbandsgeschäftsführer), and represents the sector externally. Its highest body is the Vollversammlung (general assembly). A Direktorenkonferenz (directors' conference) meets quarterly, typically with the chairmen of the member institutions' boards holding seat and vote. Since 1988, a separate Fachverband (professional association) — the 'Fachverband der Landes-Hypothekenbanken' — has existed within the Wirtschaftskammer Österreich (WKO). The Hypo-Verband's main statutory task is to safeguard and promote the common interests of its members through joint consultations and resolutions, achieving unified positions and statements, including with other credit-sector associations. As the Fachverband, it takes on the professional representation of the sector within the WKO. It also plays a significant role in shaping the collective bargaining agreement (Kollektivvertrag) for employees of the Austrian Landes-Hypothekenbanken, particularly regulating working conditions to the extent legally permissible. Ongoing activities include representing mortgage banks' interests in cooperation with the WKO and the Financial Market Authority (FMA), coordination with other Austrian credit-sector associations, cooperation with the Bundesverband Öffentlicher Banken Deutschlands (VÖB) and the European Association of Public Banks (EAPB) in Brussels, and the dissemination and preparation of information on legislative developments. Today the member banks conduct their operational banking business as joint-stock companies (Aktiengesellschaften) and, as regionally anchored universal banks headquartered in the provincial capitals, focus primarily on long-term business in their traditional fields of housing construction and municipal credit. They also serve corporate and private customers as local suppliers. Following the 2003 'Verständigung der Republik Österreich mit der Europäischen Kommission' (understanding between the Republic of Austria and the European Commission), the existing general provincial guarantees (Landeshaftungen) expired on 30 September 2017. Ownership structures of the member banks vary: some are majority-held by individual federal provinces, while others have passed entirely into private ownership.

• 2017

  General provincial guarantees (Landeshaftungen) expired on 30 September 2017.

• 2003

  Understanding between the Republic of Austria and the European Commission regarding provincial guarantees.

• 1988

  Separate Fachverband der Landes-Hypothekenbanken established within the Wirtschaftskammer Österreich (WKO).

• 1947

  Verband der österreichischen Landes-Hypothekenbanken founded as the central interest representation.

• 1763

  Early considerations for mortgage credit institutions at the end of the Seven Years' War.

Central interest association and professional representation for Austria's regional mortgage banks, operating as a registered association and as the Fachverband within the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.

• Interest representation for member banks

• Collective bargaining agreement (Kollektivvertrag) for bank employees

• Information services on legislative changes

• Cooperation with VÖB and EAPB

1. 1Hypo-Verband official websitehypoverband.at
2. 2Verband der Österreichischen Landes-Hypothekenbanken - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Verband der österreichischen Landes-Hypothekenbanken - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org