OREANDA-NEWS. April 27, 2012. Raiffeisen Bank International AG (RBI) was awarded the prestigious title “Best Bank in CEE & CIS” by EMEA Finance magazine during the “Europe Banking Awards 2011”. Furthermore, RBI was recognised with the title “Best Bank in Austria” as well as “Best Investment Bank in Austria”. Its subsidiaries in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania and Slovakia were awarded the title “Best Bank” in their respective countries. RBI’s network bank in Russia, ZAO Raiffeisenbank, received the distinction “Best Foreign Bank”. In Bulgaria, Raiffeisen Centrobank AG, another RBI subsidiary was awarded “Best Investment Bank”.

 “The distinctions are a confirmation of our work and reflect the strong and broad market position of RBI in Central and Eastern Europe. Having also received an award from the magazine Global Finance, this is the second recognition within a few weeks and thus a pleasing recognition of our work”, said Herbert Stepic, CEO of RBI.

 In Austria, RBI is a leading corporate and investment bank for the top-1,000 corporate customers. In Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), it acts as universal bank with an extensive network of subsidiary banks, leasing companies and a range of other specialised financial service providers in 17 markets.

 “We consider ourselves a relationship bank for our customers offering tailor-made products and financial solutions. The awards for Austria validate our customer approach,” explained Karl Sevelda, Deputy CEO of RBI and responsible for the corporate business.

 EMEA Finance is a bimonthly publication that reports on the major financial events and happenings initiated and influenced by the international financial industry active in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (the EMEA region). The magazine, which is headquartered in London, has a readership of more than 25,000. The EMEA Finance website (http://www.emeafinance.com/) and weekly eNews are read by over 100,000 EMEA-based professionals.

 Raiffeisen Bank International AG (RBI) regards both Austria, where it is a leading corporate and investment bank, and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) as its home market. In CEE, RBI operates an extensive network of subsidiary banks, leasing companies and a range of other specialised financial service providers in 17 markets.

 RBI is the only Austrian bank with a presence in both the world’s financial centres and in Asia, the group’s further geographical area of focus.

 In total, around 59,000 employees service about 13.8 million customers through around 2,900 business outlets, the great majority of which are located in CEE.

 RBI is a fully-consolidated subsidiary of Raiffeisen Zentralbank Osterreich AG (RZB). RZB indirectly owns around 78.5 per cent of the common stock, the remainder is in free float. RBI’s shares are listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange. RZB is the central institution of the Austrian Raiffeisen Banking Group, the country’s largest banking group, and serves as the head office of the entire RZB Group, including RBI.