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Lobbying
Lobbying is defined as the deployment of suitable people within the company or independent companies to
influence public decision-making processes for the purpose of safeguarding or enforcing specific interests in
respect of the public sector. We basically consider this to be advisable and legitimate in the process of democratic
decision-making and in matters of the execution of state regulations. This activity is subject to high standards
of transparency, both for specialized lobbying companies and for companies that use their own employees –
known as corporate lobbyists – for lobbying activities. All members of RBI are required to register lobbyists who
are active for them in the national lobbying register. At RBI, lobbying work is carried out via RBI AG as well as
the “Fachverband der Raiffeisenbanken” (Association of Raiffeisen banks, part of the Austrian Economic
Chambers WKO). Accordingly, RBI AG is registered in the Austrian lobbying register.
At EU level, RBI AG is registered in the transparency register of the European Commission and the European
Parliament. This involves observing activities by EU institutions with regard to possible impacts on the Raiffeisen
Banking Group (RBG), creation of networks and shared interest coalitions and specific research and preparation
of information on EU initiatives and measures in the area of financial services that are of relevance to us (e.g.
deposit insurance fees, corporate governance). Since being included in the register, RBI AG is bound to comply
with the code of conduct of the institutions (European Commission/European Parliament). Our position statements
concerning consultations of the European Commission can be found on the Commission website. At national level,
our position enters into joint position statements by the Austrian Economic Chambers, banking and insurance
section. (Membership of the Austrian Economic Chambers is mandatory.)
Corporate lobbyists of RBI also undertake to observe the following points in their contact with officials: They are
committed to the truth, and any information that they provide must be – to the best of their knowledge – undistorted,
complete, up to date and not misleading. They ensure that officials know who they actually are, that they work for
RBI, and declare that they are entered in the lobbying register.
All lobbyists who work for RBI obtain information exclusively by fair means and make decisions in a fair way.
They inform themselves about the restrictions on activities and rules on incompatibility that apply to office holders
and comply with these restrictions and rules. They do not tempt office holders to infringe the applicable rules and
standards of behavior and never exert unfair or inappropriate pressure on office holders. Clear rules are defined
in our Compliance Manual as well as the “Code of Conduct according to Article 7 of the Lobbying Act”. More
information can be found on the RBI AG website at www.rbinternational.com Investors Corporate Governance
Code of Conduct pursuant to Art. 7 Austrian LobbyG.
The Management Board of RBI AG is solely authorized to approve contributions to political parties, election
committees, party-affiliated organizations and political figures (politicians, candidates) for all of RBI, and such
contributions are permitted only if the following conditions are fulfilled:
• The contribution does not violate any statutory regulations.
• The contribution is within the customary extent of the respective country.
• The contribution is not apt to have any improper impact.
Such payments must be handled transparently, involving RBI Group Compliance. The transparency provisions
regarding party financing and lobbying in place since January 1, 2013 must be complied with and are
implemented in the Group Executive Office of RBI AG. In 2018, RBI again did not make any financial
contributions or contributions in kind to any politicians, parties or affiliated institutions.
Raiffeisen Bank International | Sustainability Report 2018