Axel Summer
Gerneral Manager Frankfurt Branch
Looking East: Why German Companies Rely on a Strong CEE Network
Central and Eastern Europe is no longer simply a neighboring growth market but has become an integral part of corporate Germany’s industrial, commercial, and supply-chain landscape. Axel Summer explains the growing economic ties and how the Frankfurt office of Raiffeisen Bank International supports German companies at every stage of their expansion.
As the local entry point into RBI’s home region, the Frankfurt office has been helping businesses make successful connections for more than two decades, from the first market assessment to the financing of established regional operations. “An investment in CEE rarely begins with a major factory or a large acquisition,” says Axel Summer, General Manager, Raiffeisen Bank International, Frankfurt Branch. “Very often, it starts with a local sales office, a small representative team, or the need for a reliable banking partner that understands both the German headquarters and the realities on the ground.”
Deep Roots, Stronger Ties
That practical understanding matters. Germany already has deep economic ties with the region: total foreign trade with Central and Eastern Europe, including Poland and Türkiye, stands at around EUR 500 billion, while German foreign direct investment in the region amounts to approximately EUR 140 billion. German companies are the largest single foreign investor in many markets, including the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.
Why the Region Continues to Attract Investment
The rationale for further investment has become even stronger in recent years. Nearshoring, supply-chain resilience, and the search for dependable production locations have moved CEE higher on boardroom agendas. Companies are attracted by the region’s skilled labor force, its close integration with European value chains, and a business environment that often combines industrial capability with geographic proximity to Germany.
A 2026 study by KPMG identifies the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine among the most important investment destinations for German companies in the years ahead. The direction of travel is clear: CEE remains central to the international strategy of the German Mittelstand as well as large multinational groups.
A Gateway to Austria and Central & Eastern Europe
“RBI is positioned to accompany that journey locally. With a network of 11 full-service banks across key CEE markets, we can support clients where business is actually conducted, not only from a distance. Our local presence and the ability to service clients of all sizes and segments makes it possible to provide solutions that fit the scale and maturity of each operation,” the expert states.
For a company testing a market, that may mean opening an account, setting up cash-management structures, or arranging foreign-exchange services. For an established manufacturer, distributor, or regional headquarters, the requirements may extend to local lending, trade finance, leasing, factoring, or more sophisticated cross-border financing arrangements.
From First Market Steps to Established Operations
The Frankfurt office brings these capabilities together for German clients. It acts as a familiar first point of contact, connecting decision makers in Germany with RBI specialists and local banking teams across Austria and CEE. The objective is straightforward: to make expansion less complex, while ensuring that clients retain access to banking expertise that is both international in perspective and local in execution.
For companies navigating a changing European investment landscape, CEE offers more than proximity. It offers opportunities, and RBI Frankfurt provides a direct route to it.