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Raiffeisen Bank International | Sustainability Report 2017
GRI content index / Assurance statement Engaged citizen Fair partner Responsible banker Sustainability management Overview Foreword
Sustainable financing at the network banks
Central Europe (CE)
In Poland, the Corporate Banking department of Raiffeisen Polbank continues to offer de minimis guarantees
within the framework of a government program managed by Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK), the state
development bank of Poland. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises are supported in this way through
improved liquidity. A guarantee program was also implemented in November 2017 that is also financed by BGK
and covers up to 80 percent of the investment loans. This aims to support companies of all size classes (large,
medium and small enterprises). Also worth mentioning is the “Technological Loan” for companies. This is a
financial instrument that supports innovation by small and medium-sized enterprises. The portfolio of Raiffeisen
Polbank in the area of renewable energies encompasses 16 wind farm projects with a total volume of approx. € 78
million (several currently in restructuring, primarily due to measures relating to government policy).
In Slovakia, Tatra Banka, a.s. financed two new hydroelectric plants in 2017. The projects are still in the construction
phase and encompass a financing volume of about € 5.3 million. The overall portfolio of renewable energy
projects amounts to approx. € 192 million and consists of over 100 individual projects. When providing mortgage
loans for new construction, in the retail business energy certificates are required by the time of the final inspection of
the property.
In the Czech Republic, Raiffeisenbank, a.s. financed five new solar energy plants in 2017 with a total volume
of € 52 million as well as a residence for seniors in the amount of approx. € 3.5 million. In addition, Raiffeisenbank,
a.s offers green loans to SMEs with the support of the European Investment Fund (EIF). Preferential financing is
also offered for agricultural land. The total financing volume for renewable energy amounts to approx. € 149 million.
In Hungary, Raiffeisen Bank Zrt. financed one wind power plant and three solar power plants in 2017. Overall,
the portfolio encompasses seven projects in the area of renewable energy in the amount of approx. € 27 million.
Southeastern Europe (SEE)
In Albania, some ministries and private companies, whose employees are amongst the lowest earners, can make
use of a special offer from Raiffeisen Bank Sh.A. as part of the retail loan business for unsecured and secured
loans. The aim is to support employees, especially in the civil service, and to offer them affordable loans at
comparatively low rates. Furthermore, there is an agreement between Raiffeisen Bank Sh.A. and the Municipality
of Tirana, according to which young families who want to buy a house in Tirana can take out a mortgage loan
with a low interest rate. These families pay an interest rate of only three percent throughout the term of the loan.
Any additional interest will be paid by the Municipality of Tirana. The aim of this measure is to help young families
to finance their own home. In the field of renewable energies, Raiffeisen Bank Sh.A. made € 13.7 million available
to fund six projects totaling in 2017.
Raiffeisen BANK dd Bosna i Hercegovina currently has a credit line, the EBRD Western Balkans Sustainable
Energy Credit Line Facility II (WeBSEFF II). It is intended to finance projects undertaken by private companies,
energy service companies and municipal utilities in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy. This
credit line is intended to raise awareness of the need to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions. It has
existed since 2013 and has funded 18 projects worth a total of € 4.6 million. With regard to new financing in
2017, RBBH can refer to two smaller projects, replacing outdated production facilities and energy-inefficient
vehicles with energy-efficient ones.
In the past, Raiffeisenbank (Bulgaria) EAD offered four programs aimed at encouraging desirable investments:
the “KfW Energy Efficiency Program”, the “EIB III Energy Efficiency Program”, the “BEERECL – Bulgarian Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy Credit Line” and the “EBRD BEECIFF Energy Efficiency Program and Green
Economy”. Although these programs have been phased out, there are still investment credits aimed at increasing
energy efficiency, investing in renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, and hydropower, as
well as lowering energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Raiffeisenbank (Bulgaria) EAD has three wind farms
located in northeastern Bulgaria near the Black Sea and a hydroelectric power station in the Blagoevgrad area
in its portfolio. The total amount of financing for renewable energy projects was approx. € 5.3 million.