Raiffeisen Winterthur (Swiss Press Video 2012, by Corinne Eisenring) - Swiss Press Award

Schweiz aktuell

Corinne Eisenring

The Swiss television program "Schweiz aktuell" reported several times in 2011 on the involvement of Raiffeisenbank Winterthur in the bankruptcy of a local construction company. The victims were various private homeowners who wanted to realize their dream homes with the company and relied on the services of the Raiffeisenbank. Roman Banholzer's research findings in the May 17, 2011, report on the obviously incorrect accounting methods, particularly using the example of a Raiffeisen bank director's swimming pool, had an impact. Three days later, the bank admitted errors to "Schweiz aktuell" (report dated May 20, 2011), stating that it had failed to adequately fulfill its responsibilities. In the fall of 2011, the bank also pledged liability for the financial losses incurred by the private homeowners in over 100 cases, totaling eight million Swiss francs. Furthermore, the bank director, who also had his house with a pool built by the bankrupt construction company but escaped unscathed, has taken early retirement. Upon inquiry, the bank assured that the director's decision had nothing to do with the affair surrounding the false construction invoices and the inadequate supervision of the bank's account postings.