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Prehofer_announced_today_(Tues)_she_would_resign_as_board_member_at_Austria’s_fourth-biggest_bank_this_September_or_October._Her_contract_would_have_expired_only_in_September_2011.

08. 06. 10. - 14:00

Prehofer denies Cerberus spat as BAWAG PSK departure announced

Regina Prehofer has dismissed claims she decided to leave the BAWAG PSK board over differences of opinion with the Austrian bank’s American owner.

Prehofer announced today (Tues) she would resign as board member at Austria’s fourth-biggest bank this September or October. Her contract would have expired only in September 2011.

Asked whether this decision comes on the back of alleged disparities between her and New York investment firm Cerberus Capital Management’s plans for the BAWAG PSK, former Bank Austria (BA) manager Prehofer stressed: "My decision is a very personal one. My resignation will happen as part of a mutual agreement."

The 54-year-old Upper Austrian added: "I’m looking forward to new challenges. I haven’t decided where to continue my career. There are several opportunities for me in Austria."

BAWAG PSK boss Byron Haynes said: "I regret but accept Regina Prehofer’s decision."

Haynes said the process of finding a successor will take several months but has already started.

BAWAG PSK has been rumoured to be in the running of becoming a strategic partner of struggling Volksbank AG (ÖVAG) which suffered losses of 1.123 billion Euros after taxes in 2009.

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