We inspire our customers through individual solution approaches. Our mission is to offer investment products with a fair ratio of risk and reward. We create product solutions with a sustainable performance promise for each risk profile.

We live responsibility through a sustainable value and quality philosophy.

We live responsibility through responsible, transparent and traceable action.

We live responsibility through the long-term increase of our business partners’ success.

We live responsibility. We promote responsibility. We invest with responsibility.

The Real Estate segment is guided primarily and decisively by the ongoing value of the respective property in its development, investment and financing decision. Sustained value is secured if the respective property meets the needs of current and future tenant and investor generations, and minimises as far as possible the negative impact on the environment.

We select the location of our real estate so that the transport and infrastructural conditions give expectations of a positive development of the realised asset value in relation to the intended purpose. At the same time, we ensure that the environment is developed sustainably and that by choosing the right location, the individual traffic caused is potentially minimised through the offer of high-quality public transport.

We deem it highly important that the building structure, the design, the technical equipment, and the space provided for the respective type of use is state-of-the-art and allows the most flexible use or subsequent use.

We only select real estate that has an impeccable image. This naturally excludes properties categorised as “gambling” or “red light”, and the like.

We are aware that operating costs and particularly energy costs are a significant cost factor in the lifecycle of real estate. CO2 emissions also impact the environment. We thus place high value on the energy efficiency of buildings and intend that the highest possible percentage of newly constructed buildings is in the energy
efficiency class A. For our own developments, we are increasingly implementing alternative energy forms to reduce negative environmental impact as much as possible. When we manage existing properties, it is very important to us to minimise both waste and water consumption. In addition, we create the opportunity using investments and financing to reduce the energy consumption of existing properties.

We create a pleasant environment for the occupant with our real estate. When making investment and financing decisions, we therefore ensure that high-quality standards are maintained in lighting, ventilation, noise reduction and security in the buildings.

We are conscious of the example we set, and procure the right use of real estate for our customers so that we can guarantee sustainable use.

We aim for long-term, profitable and fair partnerships, both for us and for our customers. Our business focus thus centres on long-term tenant retention and the long-term investment/financing of real estate, and not short term trading. A sustainable property is more important to us than a short-term higher return.

Our focus in this segment is oriented in many respects to the sustainable economic activities of enterprises. For companies, sustainable development means a longer-term conception horizon. Sustainably operating companies make essential contributions to the viability of the economic system.

The expression of our attitude is the focus on long-term financing to satisfy the longer horizons of sustainably operating companies. These customers include companies who have had business relationships with Volksbank AG – Investkredit for decades.

Another expression of our attitude is our close business relationships with family businesses as a key customer group. Family businesses think in terms of generations and not quarterly balance sheets – they are oriented to long-term viability, not to short-term profit. In many cases, they assume responsibility for the regions in which they are based. Our financing criteria are not exclusively oriented to the monetary return on investment, but also to their sustainable contribution to society. That means that for every financing decision, we analyse in detail whether the company’s business model represents a sustainable benefit for the company’s customers. We also examine how the company provides its services (e.g. dealing with uncertainty).

We are strengthening our expertise with corporate subsidiesA large number of European and Austrian public subsidy programs are oriented to sustainable objectives. Our specific expertise in the area of corporate subsidies strengthens the focus of the bank on sustainable economic activities. In particular, each subsidy program where we provide advisory services in the context of financing fulfils economic sustainability aspects (creation of investments and jobs).

As a bank for corporate customers, we make a substantial contribution to the expansion of renewable energy. We therefore also support the objectives of European climate policy.

We also provide Austrian industry with emissions certificates, which lead to a reduced output of harmful emissions in relevant countries. We thereby support an ecologically oriented sharing of burdens between the economic regions from a global perspective.

We promote society, living space and the environment in the regions. As a “local bank” and leasing company, we take into account the individual needs and financial conditions of our customers. Easily understandable and transparent products are the basis of an equal partnership with our customers.

We embody responsibility through products and services that meet our customer needs. As a bank and leasing company, we take on responsibility and a commitment to the region.

We embody responsibility when explaining products and services.

We embody responsibility when marketing our products and services.

We embody responsibility in corporate lending.

We embody responsibility when dealing with the privacy of our customers and partners.

We embody responsibility when it comes to promoting ecological and social products.

We embody responsibility by making a contribution to the economic development of the region.

Our services are designed to minimise negative environmental impact and to preserve resources. This is achieved as part of a continuous improvement process. As a mediator between companies and suppliers in the respective procurement markets, we have a responsibility to companies, customers and suppliers, the environment and society. We win our colleagues as partners and encourage their ecological awareness.

Cleaning the premises in no way contradicts protecting the environment and preventing water pollution. We define a scale for our cleaning services that is always adjusted to the existing requirements. We reduce cleaning and only use biological cleaning materials.

As part of our extensive waste management concept, in addition to numerous measures to optimise waste management, we focus on targeted restructuring in the social working environment which is aimed primarily at significantly reducing waste volumes.

We emphasise fuel consumption and CO2 emissions as primary decision criteria in purchasing new vehicles, and actively reduce harmful emissions over the entire lifecycle by optimising our journeys.

To improve our energy efficiency, we are reducing not only the energy consumption to a reasonable and essential level, but are also promoting the optimisation of our buildings through the increased and targeted use of renewable energy from sustainable sources.

We place a high value on the optimal support of the business process through technical and advisory support of daily work procedures. The implementation of optimal security standards is a central concern for us.

We determine optimisation potential and find ways to make processes in companies better, more efficient and more economic with the help of suitable IT systems. We seek to provide state-of-the-art technology.

As a mediator between Volksbank AG and suppliers in the respective procurement markets, we have a responsibility to the companies, to customers and suppliers, to the environment and to society. We also assume this responsibility for the procurement process.

Laws create the framework for proper conduct.

Respecting the basic rights of each individual is the basis of our conduct.

Industrial safety regulations represent safety measures for employees.

The conservation and protection of our environment is a key issue for humanity.

We live responsibility through proper conduct with our suppliers.

Our employees are the architects of the social and organisational structure of the Group. Our aim is to give them space to optimally use their strengths and talents. Committed people who consistently follow their goals ensure sustainable success.

Numerous Volksbank Academy events and the continuous expansion of our external partners complete the offer.

The members of the works councils of VBAG, Volksbank AG – Investkredit and Immoconsult Leasinggesellschaft m.b.H.