This is reported by several media outlets. The background was a warning from the ECB to European banks in the summer of 2023 to be careful when lending to Signa.
The ECB’s approach is “inexplicable”
Gusenbauer wrote a letter to Ettl in September 2023, which is attributed to the SPÖ. In it he described Signa’s situation in rosy colors and described the ECB’s actions as “inexplicable”. On behalf of Signa, he writes: “We ask for your support in clarifying the situation and are available for discussions at any time – including with representatives of the ECB.” Three months later, Signa filed for bankruptcy.
The FMA said on Tuesday: “We confirm receipt of the email. We have forwarded it to the ECB banking supervision as the responsible authority.”
Benko also had two bank auditors from the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) identified – as early as July – in connection with the ECB criticism and sent their names with CVs to his two advisors, Gusenbauer and ex-ÖVP Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. When this information became known, Kurz let it be known through a spokesman that he had not taken any action on this.
