SHAPING THE FUTURE

3 questions for Dr. Heinrich Schaller,
General Director of Raiffeisenlandesbank Oberösterreich

Austrians are still considered to be rather cautious on the capital market and only invest a small part of their assets in shares. Where is the stumbling block here?
sounder: Austria is traditionally a country of savers and less of investors. This is certainly largely due to the fact that many people in Austria lack a certain basic knowledge of what is happening on the capital market. The topic of financial education should therefore be anchored in the school curriculum at a very early stage. But apart from that, you should always take a very long-term view of an investment in shares and be able to withstand the fluctuations that occur on the stock exchanges.

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Is the savings book not recommended?
sounder: Yes, of course, as an iron reserve, the savings book still has a very important status. And in the current situation, in which interest rates on savings are rising again, it is becoming significantly more attractive as an investment product, especially with longer maturities. It’s always important to have a nest egg on hand that you can fall back on at short notice for the unforeseen.

Which investments are currently attractive?
sounder: When deciding on an investment product, it generally depends on the individual’s willingness to take risks and the investment horizon. You can find out about bonds, for example. All in all, it has been seen in the last 30 years in particular that the best investment success can be achieved with a longer investment period on the capital market. It is important not to be unsettled by fluctuations in value and to focus on long-term development.