Mario Dietsche, what’s your interim assessment of the partnership project involving Mobility?
Dietsche: In a nutschell, very encouraging. We’re very pleased with the direction of travel, considering the lead times needed to obtain local authority permission for the electrification of parking bays, the difficulty obtaining new electric vehicles, and Raiffeisen’s existing commitments in terms of rolling out additional locations. We’re also delighted that Raiffeisen banks in all the linguistic regions have forged partnerships with Mobility.
Raiffeisen and Mobility appear to be a good match: why is the project such a good fit for your bank?
This comes down to three main reasons: shared values, sustainability as a strategic priority, and commitment to the region: as cooperatives, Mobility and Raiffeisen have very similar values, which is a very good basis for cooperation. Plus, we see combating climate change as a high priority. Cooperating with Mobility offers a superb opportunity to boost our product range in terms of sustainability.
The tie-up benefits not only Raiffeisen staff, but your customers, too: how are they responding to it?
Raiffeisen members with MemberPlus status benefit from a free trial subscription (mobilityTEST) and from a 50% discount on their first annual subscription (mobilityPLUS). YoungMemberPlus customers can also register for free, plus they pay no fixed costs when using mobilityYOUNG. All this because we want to encourage car sharing and e-mobility among our cooperative members. Young customers in particular are responding very well to the new offers.
Sustainable transformation: “the financial sector is assuming a key role”
The Raiffeisen Group has made sustainability a top priority. Christian Hofer, Head of Sustainability, Policy & Cooperative, gets down to specifics.
Christian Hofer, what role should the financial sector play as society moves towards greater sustainability?
The financial sector has a key role to play in the transformation. Banks, insurance companies and pension funds have to become aware of the positive contribution they can make to the sustainable development of people and the environment – and the opportunities and risks that arise from doing so.
The issue of sustainability encompasses a host of different dimensions: as a bank, what are your focal points?
Every organisation must set its priorities where it sees the greatest potential for making a difference and the greatest leverage for sustainable development. At Raiffeisen, for example, we accord a high priority to the energy efficiency of buildings. We also want to strengthen and boost sustainability in our product portfolio. That our efforts are bearing fruit can be seen from the growing demand from customers for sustainable (investment) products and services.
How are you managing to bring customers with you on this sustainable journey?
To give you an example: as a matter of course, we now inform our mortgage customers about the potential for increasing the climate efficiency of their own homes. In addition to assessing the efficiency of properties, we can simulate refurbishment scenarios and so plan the necessary finances. Our strategy is a way of generating real added value for our customers.
Interview featuring:
Mario Dietsche
Head of Member Marketing at Raiffeisen
Christian Hofer
Head of Sustainability, Policy & Cooperative at Raiffeisen
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