The demand for housing loans fell sharply last year – but the federal government’s housing package is now set to reverse the trend. However, you still have to be patient because the details are a long time coming. “People are waiting,” says RLB-OÖ General Director Heinrich Schaller and speaks of a “standstill”.
“We expect a strong increase in private residential construction and thus also in financing. There is already increased interest in advice on new housing loans, which is essentially due to the federal government’s support package, but now people are waiting until the criteria are finally on the table,” says Heinrich Schaller. And the criteria are leaving for the time being wait – which in turn has consequences. “Private lending has more or less come to a complete standstill,” explains the general director of Raiffeisenlandesbank Oberösterreich, who presented the figures for 2023 on Friday. The consolidated balance sheet total fell slightly, but was at 47.8 billion euros, the surplus after taxes rose to 608.3 million euros – an increase of 269.5 million euros compared to 2022. Schaller calls this a “very, very pleasing result,” who explains the importance for emphasized the increase in capital strength. “We are much better prepared for possible setbacks, but also have the opportunity to continue to grow.” Online saving is becoming increasingly popular. There was also strong growth in savings volume: it climbed to 18.7 billion in the previous year Euro. “The growth can be attributed almost exclusively to online savings,” explains Schaller. 350 branches in Upper Austria Will the branch network be further reduced due to the increased popularity of online banking etc.? Schaller waves it off: “Raiffeisen will not throw away and give up with the stroke of a pen the advantage of direct contact with our customers, which it has developed for more than 100 years.” It currently operates 350 branches in Upper Austria. He does not rule out isolated mergers: “But Raiffeisen will certainly not disappear from the region.”
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