Hungarian financial and stock exchange almanac 1998-1999. I. [antikvár]

TO OUR READERS The three volumes of the 9th edition of the Hungarian Financial and Stock Exchange Almanac contain nearly all players of the Hungarian financial institutional system. The editors have sought to make listings comprehensive. Indeed, the list of credit institutions, deposit insurance and institution- and investment-protecting funds, foreign banks, representations of international financial organisations in Hungary, savings co-operatives, credit co-operatives, insurance companies, private, voluntary, health and self-support funds, investment fund management companies and investment funds, companies issuing shares quoted and traded on the Budapest Stock Exchange as well as companies providing investment services is complete. Despite all efforts, we could not achieve the same for all our listings. A few companies opted out because they were in the early stages of their existence, still trying to shape their own image, or they were about to relocate, change names and lines of business; or they were involved in a transformation or privatisation process; or they were simply not willing to be included in the Almanac. The editor and the publisher are proud of being able to produce this Almanac without selling advertisement space - a remarkable accomplishment in international or Hungarian practice. The many comments our readers have sent from Hungary and abroad seem to justify this approach. It should be mentioned, however, that to promote the Almanac in local or foreign markets and to cover enormous printing costs, support from various funds and other organisations is indispensable. Compared to last year's edition, the structure of the Almanac has changed again. The first of the three volumes covers credit institutions, savings co-operatives, credit co-operatives, leasing, mortgage and insurance companies; the second volume introduces the Budapest Commodity Exchange and the Budapest Stock Exchange, investment service providers, fund managers and their funds, issuers of shares quoted and traded on the Budapest Stock Exchange, investment companies, consulting, business information and debt collecting companies; the third volume - in addition to companies providing services to the financial sector -includes auditing companies, the Chamber of Hungarian Auditors and associations of accountancy experts and tax consultants. This volume also presents important financial laws and regulations and an Index of Locations. The structure of certain chapters has been changed or expanded. New chapters in the first volume include independent savings co-operatives, mortgage companies and their association, the Funds Council, voluntary pension funds (national regional pension funds, corporate pension funds, sector pension funds), voluntary health insurance funds, voluntary self-support funds, and a list of funds operating without licence, under termination, merged or dissolved. The structure of the second volume has not changed significantly; however, certain sub-chapters are differently structured and listings have been expanded. New chapters in the second volume include financial foundations and special state funds. The third volume has virtually remained unchanged, it follows the well-proven structure of recent years. The chapter on chambers presents a comprehensive picture of business self-governments. This year almost the entire sector is presented. The Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry is introduced in a complex form, with a detailed description of functions and 45