According to RBI chief Johann Strobl, the bank is considering several options to exit Russia. According to him, Raiffeisen is making enough profits without the Russian segment.
On the morning of March 30, the general assembly of the shareholders of Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) was held at the Vienna Hilton Hotel. The sale of assets in Russia was discussed. The Der Standard publication writes about it.
Supervisory board chairman Erwin Haseder reportedly described the bank’s accusations that it wanted to enrich itself through the war in Ukraine as absurd. The decision on how to deal with RF assets was difficult. In particular, due to the fact that during the sale – a certain amount goes to the Russian treasury.
RBI chief Johann Strobl said options for asset sales and withdrawals are being evaluated.
“We have decided to consider potential transactions leading to the sale or liquidation of Raiffeisenbank Russia and its departure from the RBI Group, in full compliance with local and international laws and regulations.”
According to him, during these transactions, commercial activities in Russia will decrease even more. He also noted that the bank made good profits even without the participation of the Russian segment.
True, as the journalists wrote, Strobl did not specify the specific dates when the sale or withdrawal will be completed. In either case, however, the RBI will reportedly need to obtain a series of regulatory approvals, as well as a “special decision” from an unconfirmed buyer and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The publication writes that during the RBI shareholders meeting, local activists staged a protest outside the Hilton Hotel. They demanded “stop funding” of the war in Ukraine.
Recall that on March 30, a statement appeared on the RBI website that the bank was leaving the Russian Federation and selling Russian assets. According to a press release, the RBI group has made such a decision in accordance with local and international law and will soon seek a buyer for the assets.
Note that on March 24, the European Central Bank offered Raiffeisen to leave Russia. Pressure increased after an unnamed leading US sanctions official visited Vienna.
Source: Focus
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