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Raiffeisenbank Austria d.d. in Croatia offers several programs for financing socially and/or ecologically desirable
investments. For instance, there is a low interest rate credit line by EIB for SMEs, since these are viewed as the
driving forces of the national economy. In addition, there are two credit lines available in cooperation with the
EBRD: the “EBRD WiB Line” (Women in Business Line) for the promotion of entrepreneurship among women and
the “EBRD Credit Line MSMEs”, which aims at supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in their
banking activities. Collaboration also continues with the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development,
HBOR, which creates favorable financing conditions for projects that protect the environment and increase
energy efficiency. The “EIF First Loss Portfolio Guarantee” program from the EIF to boost lending to SMEs is also
worth mentioning. Raiffeisen-Leasing in Croatia offers EBRD credit lines for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The prerequisite is compliance with the EBRD environmental and social standards, the exclusion list as well as an
annual environmental and social report. In addition, favorable real estate financing is provided for buildings with
high energy efficiency or investments for improving energy efficiency.
In 2017, Raiffeisenbank Austria d.d. launched another project with investment loans for the reconstruction of
apartment blocks. These are long-term loans that are secured by standing orders from the building reserve
account and managed by property management companies. The payout of the building reserve is regulated by
law and can be enforced by a property management company. Accordingly, the loan agreement provides no
further collateral. Raiffeisenbank has introduced this product to meet the additional demand expected on the one
hand from the availability of national and EU funds for building reconstruction, and on the other hand which
corresponds to the true market needs due to the large number of old buildings. For the time being, implementation
in the micro-segment is planned, followed by the introduction in the other company segments. The financing
portfolio for renewable energies amounts to € 3.84 million and for energy-efficient buildings € 12 million.
In Romania, Raiffeisen Bank S.A. structures financing with the goal of promoting investment in environmentally
friendly projects. This includes, for example, financing the construction of an environmentally friendly landfill site.
This resulted in improved waste management in a region of poor infrastructure. In addition, the company funded
two projects in 2017 aimed at improving the recycling processes for PET bottles and scrap, containers and
metal products that have a significant impact on the environment. The company has six sustainable financing
projects in its portfolio, amounting to around € 7.7 million. In the area of sustainable real estate, the Bank is
involved in financing projects totaling around € 143.4 million, including a BREEAM certified Class A office
building in Cluj-Napoca and a Class A office building in the center of Bucharest, which includes the renovation
of a historic villa. Other projects include the urban development of a large area in downtown Timişoara, which
includes not only office and residential buildings, but also the construction of a hospital. In the north of Bucharest,
the first construction phase of an office building has begun this year, which is unparalleled in terms of its
sustainable construction, its green roof and its outstanding layout. The total financing portfolio in the area of all
renewable energy projects is approx. € 13.8 million.
In Serbia, Raiffeisen banka a.d. Beograd is launching EIB credit lines. They are intended to support local small
and medium-sized enterprises. They are only granted upon compliance with certain environmental requirements and
the exclusion criteria of the EIB. The total volume of all sustainable real estate financing projects was € 18.9 million.
In the area of renewable energies, the overall portfolio encompasses € 16 million.
Raiffeisen Bank International | Sustainability Report 2017