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Statement from the supervisory board chairman
Statement from the supervisory board chairman
Despite the difficult economic circumstances, 2012 was a good year for Raiffeisen-Landes-
bank Tyrol, as apparent, among other things, from a slight rise in our profit from ordinary
activities. This was far from a given in light of the times we are currently living through.
Now one could ask why growth is important for the RLB or for the Raiffeisen Banking
Group in the first place, in view of the fact that maximising profits is not a paramount tar-
get within an enterprise which thinks and acts along cooperative lines.
The answer is clear and straightforward. It is necessary in order to ensure that banks sat-
isfy the new capital adequacy requirements under their own steam. We are convinced that
we as a regional enterprise must remain self-sufficient and autonomous. That is the funda-
mental factor differentiating us from other banks: our regional roots and ties with the local
economy and people.
For Tyrolean Raiffeisen banks, the presence of an economically successful RLB as the re-
gion’s leading banking institution is equally important, as it confers stability and future se-
curity on the entire sector. In pursuit of this end the employees, senior managers and en-
tire management board of Raiffeisen-Landesbank Tirol have done an outstanding job, for
which I would like to offer my sincere thanks. The events of recent years have shown that
pulling together in pursuit of common goals can deliver extremely positive results. Anoth-
er contributory factor here has been the constructive and productive working relationship
between the supervisory and management boards in particular, as well as between Raiffei-
sen-Landesbank and Tyrolean Raiffeisen banks in general.
I was delighted that we were able last year to recruit a leading industry professional, in the
shape of Dr Thomas Bock, for the vacant position on the management board. After the de-
parture of Gobert Sternbach, the rapid recruitment of a highly qualified replacement was
the supervisory board’s top priority. However, we also used this change of management
board personnel to undertake a new division of commercial responsibilities and certain re-
organisations within RLB. The clear objective here was and remains the raising of produc-
tivity, as well as further enhancing the quality of the service provided to our customers and
to Tyrol’s Raiffeisen banks.
2012 was also the International Year of Cooperatives, an initiative declared by the Gen-
eral Assembly of the United Nations to highlight the valuable contribution made by coop-
eratives to social and economic development. Although RLB Tirol trades as an Aktieng-
esellschaft (company limited by shares), we have never abandoned our fundamental
cooperative principles or the values they embody. Thus we are together celebrating a very
special anniversary in 2013. 125 years of security, 125 years of human values and 125
years of Raiffeisen’s positive impact on the Tyrolean economy. I am convinced that we are
treading a path towards a successful future, and look forward to the continuation of our
working relationship.
Josef Graber
Director and Supervisory Board Chairman