Raiffeisen Holding Redefines Its Strategy: Venturing into New Business Areas and Navigating Complex Deals

Raiffeisen Holding, the largest private equity holding and a conglomerate with numerous corporate investments, is undergoing strategic realignment. During a meeting at the business journalists’ club, Holding CEO Michael Höllerer announced plans to give the Raiffeisen Holding a new profile and venture into new business areas. The holding company currently has investments in the food and beverage sector with companies like Agrana, the NÖM dairy, and the Leipnik Lundenburger mill group, as well as in financial institutions like the Raiffeisen Landesbank Niederösterreich-Wien and Strabag, Europe’s largest construction group.

Höllerer is focused on expanding into new business sectors such as health, care, and energy. Raiffeisen considers itself a sustainable investor that supports customers with the energy transition, offering services like the popular green electricity tariff, “Auri One.” The holding company also holds a majority stake in KURIER through Medicur Holding. Recent developments in the media industry due to Signa Group’s bankruptcy have led to discussions around media holdings and potential acquisitions.

The holding company has expressed interest in acquiring Signa’s media assets but did not specify which aspects of the media conglomerate are of interest. While there have been concerns about some of the deals involving the holding, including a Strabag-Russia deal, Höllerer assured that all necessary compliances have been adhered to. The holding company has been navigating complex financial structures and potential acquisitions while attracting attention from regulatory bodies like the European Central Bank.

Höllerer also shared his views on Austria’s financial strategies particularly around paying interest on treasury notes in light of shifting financial landscapes. Despite ongoing negotiations and acquisitions in progress, Raiffeisen Holding is navigating challenges while evolving its business priorities with a focus on sustainable investments and strategic realignments.