• Raiffeisenbank with a 4.1 per cent growth of total assets yoy to BGN 6.8 billion and up one position in the ranking of Bulgarian banks in terms of total assets
• Stable growth of loans and deposits – respectively 2.7 per cent and 7.2 per cent yoy
• Capital adequacy ratio of 16.4 per cent, considerably above the minimum requirement

(All figures mentioned in this press release have been prepared in accordance with the local accounting legislation, which is grounded on the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and refer solely to the results posted by Raiffeisenbank (Bulgaria) EAD. The figures may also differ from the results reported by Raiffeisen Bank International for the Bulgarian market due to differences in the scope of consolidation)

Raiffeisenbank (Bulgaria) EAD reported a profit after tax for the first six months of 2012 of BGN 29.4 million. At the end of June 2012, Raiffeisenbank’s total assets amounted to BGN 6.8 billion, registering a 4.1 per cent growth as compared to the same period of 2011, thus ranking the bank third in terms of total assets. Loan portfolio reached BGN 4.97 billion, compared to BGN 4.84 billion in the first six months of 2011, or up 2.7 per cent year-on-year. The bank's deposit base registered a stable growth of 7.2 per cent and as of 30 June 2012 it stood at BGN 4.48 billion, compared to BGN 4.18 billion a year earlier. In the first half of 2012 the loans to households grew by 4.9 per cent, compared to the same period last year and reached BGN 1.4 billion, while deposits from private individuals increased by nearly 13 per cent to BGN 2.25 billion.

Capital adequacy ratio at 16.4 per cent, the minimum requirement being 12 per cent

As of 30 June 2012, Raiffeisenbank’s capital base amounted to BGN 782.8 million and the bank's total capital adequacy ratio (CAR) stood at 16.4 per cent, considerably above the 12% minimum established by Regulation 8 of the Bulgarian National Bank.

Customer base increases by 33,850 year-on-year

Raiffeisenbank continued to enlarge its customer base in the first six months of 2012. As of 30 June 2012 it serviced 781,486 individual and corporate customers, compared to the 747,630 customers the bank serviced a year earlier, which was a growth of 33,850 customers year-on-year (plus 4.5 per cent).

Raiffeisenbank signed a new loan agreement with the EBRD to finance investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy

In April 2012 Raiffeisenbank signed a framework agreement to support project investments under the Energy Efficiency and Green Economy Program, a joint initiative between the Bulgarian Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The main objective of this Program is to enhance the adoption of energy saving production technologies and to promote the use of energy from renewable sources in the industry. By entering into this agreement, which is the sixth contract, the total amount of special purpose funding for energy efficiency financing for companies and households reached almost EUR 70 million, used to enhance Raiffeisenbank (Bulgaria)’s support for the realization of more than 5 346 projects, contributing in this way for the adoption of sustainable energy solutions in the country.

As at the end of June 2012, the total amount of the long term financing attracted by Raiffeisenbank in credit lines and guarantee agreements with international financial institutions such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, the European Investment Fund, KfW, the European Fund for Southeast Europe, etc., reached EUR 366 million.

The Raiffeisen group in Bulgaria

Raiffeisen Asset Management EAD
As of 30 June 2012, the net asset value under management at the mutual funds of Raiffeisen Asset Management (Bulgaria) EAD reached BGN 139.87 million, which strengthened the company’s leading position among Bulgaria's asset management companies with market share of about 32 per cent. Raiffeisen Asset Management manages the two biggest mutual funds in Bulgaria – Raiffeisen (Bulgaria) Money Market Fund and Raiffeisen (Bulgaria) Protected EUR Fund. In addition to six local funds, Raiffeisen Asset Management offers 12 foreign funds from Raiffeisen Capital Management (Vienna).

Raiffeisen Leasing Bulgaria OOD
As of 30 June 2012, the total assets of Raiffeisen Leasing Bulgaria OOD and Raiffeisen Auto Leasing Bulgaria EOOD reached BGN 330 million. The leasing portfolio of the two companies stood at BGN 311 million. According to the statistical data from the Bulgarian National Bank and the Bulgarian Leasing Association, the market share held jointly by Raiffeisen Leasing Bulgaria OOD and Raiffeisen Auto Leasing Bulgaria EOOD stood at 9 per cent at the end of June 2012.

Raiffeisen Insurance Broker EOOD
Raiffeisenbank’s subsidiary Raiffeisen Insurance Broker EOOD is among the top 5 insurance brokerage companies in Bulgaria offering insurance products from 16 companies.

Raiffeisen Real Estate EOOD
In the first six months of 2012, Raiffeisen Real Estate EOOD posted an increase of the number of real estate deals compared to the same period in 2011.
The company offers its services through offices in the towns of Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Bourgas and Rousse.

Apart from its real estate brokerage services, Raiffeisen Real Estate EOOD provides market research and analyses.

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Raiffeisenbank (Bulgaria) EAD (www.rbb.bg) was established in 1994. The bank is fully owned by Raiffeisen Bank International AG (RBI).
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 specialized 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.

Around 61,300 RBI employees service about 14.6 million customers through more than 3,100 business outlets, the great majority of which are located in CEE (these figures include Polbank).
RBI is a fully-consolidated subsidiary of Raiffeisen Zentralbank Oesterreich 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.