Raiffeisen Bank International

Michael Höllerer took over as CEO of Raiffeisen Bank International in July and has the primary task of enabling the sale or exit from the Russian business. The Kremlin is blocking approval for sales, Russian capital controls are locking billions of profits and equity in Moscow, and additional legal disputes complicate a clean exit. Höllerer brings experience in supervision, politics and restructurings in Eastern Europe, but must now find a solution under geopolitical constraints that does not inflict significant damage on the Vienna-based bank. » More on faz.net

Raiffeisen Bank increased profit in the second quarter by 63% to €499 million, beating expectations. CEO Michael Höllerer plans to present a new strategy in February and sees further potential in Central and Southeastern Europe as well as in asset management and corporate financing. Russia remains central; an orderly exit is being sought. At the same time, a lawsuit against Rasperia over €3.15 billion concerning Strabag shares is ongoing, whose sale could enable a special dividend. The stock reached a record high of €59.40 and, with a price-earnings ratio of 9, remains attractively valued. » More on deraktionaer.de

Austrian Raiffeisen Bank has filed a €3.15 billion damages suit in Vienna against the Russian entity Rasperia to gain access to frozen Austrian assets. Specifically, the case concerns 28.5 million Strabag shares, related dividend claims and funds from a capital reduction that are blocked due to EU sanctions. The background is a 2025 Russian judgment that obliged an RBI subsidiary to pay about €2.4 billion to Rasperia; the claimed amount also includes lost interest and legal costs. It is unclear who currently controls Rasperia; the company was previously linked to Oleg Deripaska. A recent Russian court ruling allowed RBI to proceed in Austria without triggering a threatened penalty payment in Russia. » More on wiwo.de