Raiffeisen Bank Pays €1.87B Compensation to Rasperia

The dispute centered on the failed sale of Strabag shares to the RBI group. Raiffeisen Bank acted as the primary financial entity in these negotiations. The bank transferred the funds to Rasperia Trading Limited to settle the compensation claim.

Documents show the payment was executed at the end of April 2025. This transaction was intended to close the chapter on the specific damages related to the aborted share transfer. However, the financial settlement did not resolve all outstanding issues between the parties.

The Austrian group, RBI, now awaits a decision from European regulators. This decision concerns the mechanism for transferring the frozen Strabag shares. The regulatory approval is necessary to finalize the ownership transfer that was originally planned.

Despite the massive compensation payment, Rasperia Trading Limited initiated further legal action in December. The company won a first-instance lawsuit against RBI and Raiffeisen Bank. The court awarded €339 million for accumulated but frozen dividends on Strabag shares.

This new ruling highlights the complexity of the ongoing dispute. The dividends accumulated while the shares were held in escrow or subject to restrictions. Raiffeisen Bank has announced its intention to appeal this decision. However, the bank's previous litigation history in this matter has been unfavorable.

The legal team for Raiffeisen Bank is preparing its defense for the appeal process. The bank argues that the dividend claim requires further judicial review. Meanwhile, Rasperia considers this ruling a validation of its rights to the frozen assets.

Raiffeisen Bank International faces a challenging legal landscape. The bank must navigate both the appeal of the €339 million ruling and the regulatory process for the share transfer. The European regulator's decision is critical for the bank's long-term strategy in the region.

The bank's spokesperson indicated that they are reviewing the court documents thoroughly. Raiffeisen Bank maintains that the dividend claim is separate from the initial compensation agreement. They argue that the April payment covered all damages related to the failed transaction.

Future steps for the bank include:

• Filing an appeal against the December court ruling.
• Cooperating with European regulators on the share transfer.
• Managing the financial impact of the €1.87 billion payout.
• Defending against further potential claims from Rasperia.

The situation remains fluid as 2025 progresses. Raiffeisen Bank has successfully made the €1.87 billion compensation payment, yet the legal exposure continues to grow. The €339 million dividend lawsuit victory for Rasperia adds significant pressure on the bank's financial reserves.

Both parties await the European regulator's ruling on the Strabag share transfer. This decision will likely influence the trajectory of future litigation. Raiffeisen Bank must balance its appeal strategy with the need to resolve the underlying asset ownership. The outcome of these proceedings will have lasting implications for the bank's operations in Europe and its relationship with Rasperia Trading Limited.