Global Finance magazine has named the “World’s Best Internet Banks” in an exclusive survey to be published in its September issue. A world-class judging panel consisting of Internet banking experts from Deloitte & Touche, IBM Global Services, KPMG Consulting, Logica, MeridianGS and Tata Infotech chose the winners.

The Internet services of RZB Group were selected as winners of not less than twelve awards, among them the prestigious “World’s Best Consumer Online Securities Trading”, “Best Corporate/Institutional Internet Bank in Europe” and “Best Consumer Integrated Site in Europe”.

The consistent utilization of the opportunities provided by the Internet and e-business is one of the core business strategies of RZB Group. “It is our goal to be the leading Internet-oriented banking group in Austria and Central and Eastern Europe. These awards prove the quality of our Internet services as well as the consistency and sustainability of our e-strategy”, says Walter Rothensteiner, Chairman of the Board of Management of Raiffeisen Zentralbank Цsterreich AG (RZB).

RZB provides a comprehensive range of Internet services and products. These include e.g. finance portals, electronic banking, regional websites, cash management, guarantees business, e-custody, research, as well as the online brokerage raiffeisen-trade.com, the world's best according to Global Finance. RZB was the first to introduce most of these products in Austria and the markets of Central and Eastern Europe. Security and safety as well customer-friendliness through easiness to use, clear navigation, consistent design and speed are the feature of RZB Group's websites.

"The last couple of years have clearly been a trying time in the technology world as many banks and businesses pulled back on their IT spending and endeavours," says Joseph D. Giarraputo, publisher of Global Finance. "But it wasn't hard for our esteemed judging panel to help us finding the world's premier banks moving forward with innovative online offerings for the consumer and corporate markets. These are the banks shaping e-business in their local markets and globally."

Winning banks were selected based on the following criteria: strength of strategy for attracting and servicing online customers, success in getting clients to use Web offerings, growth of online customer base, breadth of product offerings, evidence of tangible benefits gained from Internet initiatives, and Web site design and functionality. Category winners were selected based on the relative strength and success of the respective Web products and services. Citibank was named as the "World's Best Internet Bank".

The complete list of awards won by RZB Group:

• “World's Best Consumer Online Securities Trading” -- RZB/raiffeisen-trade.com
• “Best Consumer Online Securities Trading in Europe” -- RZB/raiffeisen-trade.com
• “Best Corporate/Institutional Internet Bank in Europe” -- RZB
• “Best Corporate/Institutional Internet Bank in Austria” -- RZB
• “Best Corporate/Institutional Internet Bank in Slovakia” -- Tatra banka
• “Best Consumer Internet Bank in Central and Eastern Europe” -- RZB
• “Best Consumer Internet Bank in Austria” -- RZB/Raiffeisen Banking Group
• “Best Consumer Internet Bank in Slovakia” -- Tatra banka
• “Best Corporate/Institutional Integrated Site in Europe” -- RZB
• “Best Corporate/Institutional Integrated Site in Central and Eastern Europe” -- RZB
• “Best Consumer Integrated Site in Europe” -- RZB/Raiffeisen Banking Group
• “Best Consumer Integrated Site in Central and Eastern Europe” -- RZB