RAIFFEISENBANK- BEST FOREIGN BANK IN CROATIA

ZAGREB, May 13 (Hina) - Raiffeisenbank Austria d.d. Zagreb made approximately 10 million US dollars of the gross profit in 1998 or twice more than in 1997, whereas the net profit totalled $7.3 million, said the chairman of the bank's board of directors, Zdenko Adrovic, during Thursday's presentation of the Raiffeisen group in Croatia. The earning per share was 235 kuna or 33.5 dollars. The total assets rose by 38 percent to almost 285 million dollars in 1998. Clients' deposits were higher 100 percent versus 1997, and deposits of citizens rose by 70 percent while those of legal entities by 122 percent. Adrovic announced the opening of new branches in Pula and Samobor for June and later on in Varazdin, Cakovec and Split. Raiffeisenbank Austria (RBA) Ltd. Zagreb will also established the first drive in banking in the Croatian capital. According to all indicators, the RBA was at the seventh place thanks to the profit and at the tenth place out of 61 banks in Croatia relating to the volume of shares' money. It was announced that the fourth building bank in Croatia would be established next week. It will be the RBA building society. Raiffeisenbank Austria Ltd. Zagreb has been the best foreign bank in Croatia for two years consecutively. It has been active in this country for four years. (hina) ms