Raiffeisen Bank International AG is a leading financial group in Central and Eastern Europe, distinguished by its regional expertise and strong presence in 11 markets - serving Retail, SME, and Corporate clients, while excelling in Corporate and Investment Banking in Austria. Our commitment to empowering businesses, especially SMEs, is evident in our core strengths:
Driving Digital Innovation: We use AI, data analytics, and automation to offer smarter, faster, and personalized banking solutions, enabling businesses to thrive in a digital landscape.
Customer-First Approach:Our seamless omnichannel experience ensures that customers receive the right financial solutions at the right time, whether through digital platforms or expert advisory services.
Powered by People: Our culture of collaboration and innovation positions us as an “employer of choice,” fostering long-term success for our customers and teams.
SMEs aren’t just customers—they are at the core of our strategy.
How would you describe your bank’s role in the SMEs business journey considering their importance in the economy?
Empowering SMEs means Empowering the Economy: Raiffeisen Bank International’s Role in Driving SME Growth
Small and medium-sized enterprises drive economic growth, create jobs, and fuel innovation. At Raiffeisen Bank International AG, SMEs aren’t just customers—they are at the core of our strategy. We go beyond traditional banking, offering financial stability, digital-first solutions, and tailored support to help SMEs scale and succeed.
Resilience & Market Leadership: Why Raiffeisen Bank International AG Stands Out
- €975M consolidated profit – Ensuring long-term stability
- €4.15B net interest income – Consistent financial performance
- €1.85B fee and commission income (+5%) – Demonstrating also SME engagement growth
- 15.1% CET1 ratio – Reinforcing resilience and security for businesses
Strategic Market Positioning for SME
~900,000+ SME customers managing €14.3 billion in liabilities with 3.9 bn EUR asset volume—with Slovakia, Czech Republic, Serbia, and Romania leading the way in digital adoption, while Croatia, Albania, Ukraine, Bosnia, Hungary, and Kosovo rapidly advance.
🏆 Market leader in the Balkans, with SME market shares exceeding 15% in key countries, even higher in Bosnia and Serbia, strengthening local economies.
🏦 In Top 5 in Central Europe countries, ensuring a strong presence in competitive EU markets: Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Romania.
🌍 Increase reach in Eastern Europe: a growing presence in Ukraine, supporting businesses even in these complex environments.
Redefining SME Banking: A Digital-First, Customized Experience
As the entrepreneurial generation of the 1990s passes the torch, businesses need faster, more intuitive, and seamlessly digital financial solutions. Traditional banking no longer meets their evolving needs. We embraced a digital-first, customized banking experience to meet the needs of a new generation.
🤖❤️ Our vision: Digital where it matters, human where it counts.
✔️ Digital Onboarding: SMEs in 9 out of 10 markets could open accounts online, enabling entrepreneurs to start banking immediately after registration.
✔️ Building Deeper Relationships – SMEs thrive on relationships. As banking shifts online, we created meaningful digital touchpoints by investing in advanced CRM, enhancing mobile banking, and expanding AI-powered support through chatbots and remote advisors.
✔️ Smart, Automated Growth Solutions – We facilitate seamless FX, next-gen payment acceptance solutions like SoftPOS and e-commerce gateways, and fully automated lending processes, allowing SMEs to focus on scaling their businesses.
The Road Ahead: 🌱Empowering SMEs for a Sustainable Future
Our mission is clear: to be the trusted financial partner for the next generation of SMEs, helping them scale, innovate, and thrive in a rapidly evolving world. We serve 18 million Retail - private, and small business customers, offering a comprehensive range of financial solutions:
- Green Financing that Works – We provide accessible green loans and ESG suppot via the Green Web platform, helping SMEs invest in sustainability without financial strain.
- Simplifying the Shift – Our tools empower SMEs to measure and reduce their carbon footprint, turning sustainability into a competitive advantage.
For us, sustainability isn’t a trend—it’s how we help SMEs build stronger, future-proof businesses.
Why do you think your bank deserves to be awarded the SME Bank of the Year?
Revolutionizing SME Lending in Mobile App – 100% digital lending in less than 5 minutes
Fast. Seamless. Fully Digital.
While the industry has made strides in digitalization, in CEE SME banking remains still branch-centric. The real challenge isn’t just bringing services online—it’s delivering the same level of personalized service as the best relationship managers, but in a fully digital model. And all a tough economic outlook: high rates environment , high inflations, vigilant credit policies.
Raiffeisen Bank International AG has redefined SME banking in Central and Eastern Europe by pioneering a 100% digital SME Loan, available via mobile apps and internet banking. Unlike traditional models that take days or weeks, our app enables SMEs—including new-to-bank customers—to secure financing in less than 5 minutes, anytime, anywhere, without human intervention. This is more than automation—it’s a strategic transformation: eliminating friction, reimagining lending, and empowering SMEs with fast, seamless access to funding when it matters most.
🌍Scalable Impact: Transforming SME Banking Across CEE
For us innovation isn’t confined to one market—it’s built for scale. Our 100% digital SME lending solutions are setting new benchmarks across 11 countries, delivering speed, simplicity, and accessibility for entrepreneurs across Central and Eastern Europe.
- First-mover advantage in digital SME lending, enabling instant access to financing with a fully automated process.
- 23 RICE APIs & 85% journey reusability, allowing seamless scaling across markets, ensuring every SME benefits from our digital-first approach.
Beyond Lending: A Fully Digital SME Ecosystem
Beyond digital lending, Raiffeisen Bank International AG stands out for its sector-driven strategy, providing specialized financial solutions where they matter most.
🌾 Leader in agriculture financing – ~high market share Albania, Serbia, and Ukraine, supporting vital economic sectors with tailored funding.
🌱 Driving sustainable growth – Green Web platform by Raiffeisen Bank Romania helps SMEs transition to ESG-friendly operations through validated Green and Social Loan frameworks at local level and it is scalable to other markets in the region.
💳 Payment Acceptance Solutions: RaiPOS, RayPay & RaiAccept Solutions – Empowering businesses with mobile POS and secure eCommerce solutions
🤖 AI-Powered Engagement – Delivering hyper-personalized experiences at scale
We are not just adopting digital—we are setting the new standard. With deep market expertise, cutting-edge technology, and a strong commitment to SMEs, we are building the bank that grows with businesses, fuels economies, and redefines SME banking across CEE.
We believe SMEs deserve instant access to capital—without the wait
Briefly highlight the top three projects or achievements your bank has delivered for SME customers in the past 18 months
SME Banking Reinvented: Instant Lending, Seamless Payments & Smart Banking
1. ⚡ Instant SME Lending: Loans in <5 Minutes
We believe SMEs deserve instant access to capital—without the wait. That’s why we’ve eliminated delays, paperwork, and branch visits to deliver the fastest SME lending experience in Central and Eastern Europe.
✔️ Time to Yes: <5 minutes (down from 3 days)
✔️ Time to Cash: ~15 minutes (previously 8-12 days) Minimal Input: Only 3 data fields required
✔️ Mobile-First: SMEs can apply via mobile app – a first in the region
📍 Live in Croatia, Romania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Albania, and Kosovo, Czech Republic expanding to Serbia, Slovakia, and Ukraine.
Why It’s a Game-Changer?
📲 100% Digital & Scalable – Rapid rollout in new markets within 6 months. Cloud-Native Architecture – Ensuring seamless expansion across 11 markets
📊 Proven faster business growth Impact in 1st country, Croatia, as a Digital Powerhouse – €50M+ disbursed, YoY ~80% increase in e2e application, YoY ~35% increase in new volumes.
SMEs don’t have time for bureaucracy. That’s why Raiffeisen Bank International AG is making banking effortless
2. 💳 Seamless Payments for Digital-First SMEs
SMEs need frictionless payments to thrive. Our innovative solutions eliminate barriers, enabling businesses to accept payments effortlessly—both online and in-store.
✔️ RaiPOS – No hardware needed. Turns any smartphone into a POS terminal.
✔️ RaiPay – A smart business wallet with contactless payments, security controls & digital card management.
✔️ RaiAccept – A seamless eCommerce checkout, accepting Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay & more.
What Makes It Unique?
💡 Instant, Secure, & Cost-Effective – Designed for SME needs
📈 Growth-Ready – Helping SMEs scale their payment capabilities
🛡️ Built-In Security – Cutting-edge fraud protection for worry-free banking transactions
3.📱 100% Digital Onboarding SME Banking – Hassle-Free Onboarding & AI-Powered Insights
SMEs don’t have time for bureaucracy. That’s why Raiffeisen Bank International AG is making banking effortless—from instant account opening to AI-driven financial planning.
✔️ SMEon platform– Business accounts opened 100% digitally in <10 minutes—no paperwork, no branch visits.
✔️ AI-Driven Cashflow Prediction – Forecasts financial trends 3 months ahead, giving SMEs control over their finances.
✔️ Hyper-Personalized Engagement – AI-driven insights ensure SMEs get the right financial solutions at the right time.
📍 Live in Hungary, Kosovo, Serbia, and Croatia, expanding across CEE.
Why It’s a Breakthrough?
📊 Smarter Financial Planning – AI insights replace guesswork
🚀 Faster Business Growth for our clients – SMEs can focus on what matters, not banking admin
