Rein Otsason
Encyclopedia
Rein Otsason was an Estonian banker.
and graduated in 1954 from Tallinn Polytechnical Institute as an economist
. He became one of the leading researchers on economics, being finally nominated as the Director of the Institute of Economics at the Estonian Academy of Sciences. Rein Otsason completed a doctorate
in economics in 1984.
From 1988 to 1989 he worked as the Head of the State Plan Committee of the Estonian SSR. Those were the years of political and economical liberation, the beginning of breaking away from the Soviet system. On 15 December 1989 the Estonian government decided to establish the Bank of Estonia
(Eesti Pank). On 28 December 1989 the Bank Law of the Republic of Estonia was passed and Rein Otsason was appointed the first President of the Bank of Estonia. On 1 January 1990 the Bank of Estonia began its work as independent bank of issue.
as the national currency of Estonia was prepared. On 15 March 1990 the Statutes of the Bank of Estonia were approved; on 15 May 1990 the procedure for establishment of commercial banks was established. The programmes for transition to national currency were finished in November 1990 and next year started the preparations for monetary reform
.
Rein Otsason participated in the work of Monetary Reform Committee established on 27 March 1991 and led by Prime Minister Edgar Savisaar
. He signed on 10 May 1991 a contract with the company Thomas De La Rue & Co Ltd. for printing banknotes of Estonian kroons. Although his work was crucial for the success of monetary reform, he was not the one to supervise the reform. His wish to postpone the monetary reform until a way will be found to alleviate social problems caused by the reform led to confrontation with his superiors and on 23 September 1991 he was replaced with Siim Kallas
. The reform took place on 20 June 1992.
Rein Otsason and Siim Kallas are often called the "fathers of Estonian kroon". Rein Otsason was decorated by the President of the Republic with the Estonian Order of the Coat of Arms, 4th class (2003).
As the President of the Estonian Credit Bank he was also a board member of the Estonian Banking Association (Eesti Pangaliit).
In 2003 Rein Otsason started co-operation with the Bank of Moscow, which obtained 18,69% of the shares of the Estonian Credit Bank through its subsidiary company Latvian Business Bank. After the death of Rein Otsason the Latvian Business Bank became a major shareholder of the Estonian Credit Bank, obtaining 60% of shares on 2 August 2005.
. He was elected to the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu
), but turned down his seat and decided to continue his work in the bank.
Biography
Rein Otsason grew up in Southern-Estonia. After obtaining secondary education he came to study in TallinnTallinn
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...
and graduated in 1954 from Tallinn Polytechnical Institute as an economist
Economist
An economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy...
. He became one of the leading researchers on economics, being finally nominated as the Director of the Institute of Economics at the Estonian Academy of Sciences. Rein Otsason completed a doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in economics in 1984.
From 1988 to 1989 he worked as the Head of the State Plan Committee of the Estonian SSR. Those were the years of political and economical liberation, the beginning of breaking away from the Soviet system. On 15 December 1989 the Estonian government decided to establish the Bank of Estonia
Bank of Estonia
The Bank of Estonia , is the central bank of Estonia, which is a member of the European Union organisation and the European System of Central Banks...
(Eesti Pank). On 28 December 1989 the Bank Law of the Republic of Estonia was passed and Rein Otsason was appointed the first President of the Bank of Estonia. On 1 January 1990 the Bank of Estonia began its work as independent bank of issue.
Bank of Estonia
Rein Otsason led the Bank of Estonia in its very first years when legal acts regulating the activities of the bank were created and monetary reform to re-establish Estonian kroonEstonian kroon
In 1992, coins were introduced in denominations of 5, 10, 20 & 50 senti, as well as 1 kroon. The 1 kroon was struck in cupronickel, the others in aluminum-bronze. However, in 1997, nickel-plated steel 20 senti were introduced, followed by aluminum-bronze 1 kroon in 1998. 5 senti coins were not...
as the national currency of Estonia was prepared. On 15 March 1990 the Statutes of the Bank of Estonia were approved; on 15 May 1990 the procedure for establishment of commercial banks was established. The programmes for transition to national currency were finished in November 1990 and next year started the preparations for monetary reform
Monetary reform
Monetary reform describes any movement or theory that proposes a different system of supplying money and financing the economy from the current system.Monetary reformers may advocate any of the following, among other proposals:...
.
Rein Otsason participated in the work of Monetary Reform Committee established on 27 March 1991 and led by Prime Minister Edgar Savisaar
Edgar Savisaar
Edgar Savisaar , is an Estonian politician, one of the founding members of Popular Front of Estonia and the leader of the Centre Party. He has served as the acting Prime Minister of Estonia, Minister of Internal affairs and Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications...
. He signed on 10 May 1991 a contract with the company Thomas De La Rue & Co Ltd. for printing banknotes of Estonian kroons. Although his work was crucial for the success of monetary reform, he was not the one to supervise the reform. His wish to postpone the monetary reform until a way will be found to alleviate social problems caused by the reform led to confrontation with his superiors and on 23 September 1991 he was replaced with Siim Kallas
Siim Kallas
Siim Kallas is an Estonian politician, currently serving as European Commissioner for Transport. He is also one of five vice-presidents of the 27-member Barroso Commission...
. The reform took place on 20 June 1992.
Rein Otsason and Siim Kallas are often called the "fathers of Estonian kroon". Rein Otsason was decorated by the President of the Republic with the Estonian Order of the Coat of Arms, 4th class (2003).
Estonian Credit Bank
Rein Otsason started to work on creating his own bank. The commercial bank known as Estonian Credit Bank (Eesti Krediidipank) was established on 15 March 1992. Rein Otsason was the leader of the bank from its establishment till his death, first as the Chairman of the Board and since 2000 as the Chairman of the Council. He and his wife Valentina Otsason were also the main shareholders of the Estonian Credit Bank. Using his extensive knowledge and connections he managed to maintain the bank even during the economical and financial crisis of 1997-1999 when numerous small financial institutions went bankrupt.As the President of the Estonian Credit Bank he was also a board member of the Estonian Banking Association (Eesti Pangaliit).
In 2003 Rein Otsason started co-operation with the Bank of Moscow, which obtained 18,69% of the shares of the Estonian Credit Bank through its subsidiary company Latvian Business Bank. After the death of Rein Otsason the Latvian Business Bank became a major shareholder of the Estonian Credit Bank, obtaining 60% of shares on 2 August 2005.
Politics
Rein Otsason was a member of the Union for the Republic - Res Publica and was a candidate at the Estonian parliamentary election, 2003Estonian parliamentary election, 2003
The 2003 Estonian parliamentary election was held in Estonia on 2 March 2003 to elect the members of the Riigikogu . Two opposing parties won the most seats, with both the Centre Party and Res Publica Party winning 28 seats...
. He was elected to the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu
Riigikogu
The Riigikogu is the unicameral parliament of Estonia. All important state-related questions pass through the Riigikogu...
), but turned down his seat and decided to continue his work in the bank.
Career
- 1984-1988 Director of the Institute of Economics at the Estonian Academy of Sciences
- 1988-1989 Head of the Estonian State Plan Committee
- 1989-1991 President of the Bank of Estonia
- 1992-2004 President of the Estonian Credit Bank
- 1992-2000 Chairman of the Board of the Estonian Credit Bank
- 2000-2004 Chairman of the Council of the Estonian Credit Bank