OREANDA-NEWS. The retail loan portfolio of ZAO Raiffeisenbank Austria exceeded the amount of 1 billion USD (RUR 26.9 billion) at the end of October 2006. The portfolio has therefore doubled since the July 1, 2005, reflecting the strategic focus of its owner Raiffeisen International Bank-Holding AG.

Raiffeisenbank is one of the leading retail banks in Russia, ranking 8th in the market in terms of consumer lending (based on Q3 2006 data published by CEA Interfax).

The regional branches play a vital role in the expansion of the credit portfolio of Raiffeisenbank, contributing approximately one third to the portfolio (as of end of October, 2006).