Erste Group Bank AG

Erste Group Bank AG is an Austrian universal bank and one of the largest financial service providers in Central and Eastern Europe. Founded in 1819 as the first Austrian savings bank, it has evolved into a holding company headquartered in Vienna, serving approximately 23 million customers across Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Croatia, and Serbia through over 2,000 branches. Its core retail business encompasses lending, deposits, investment products, current accounts, and credit cards, while also providing advisory services, corporate financing, public sector funding, and interbank operations. Erste Group operates subsidiaries like Erste Bank in Austria, Banca Comercială Română in Romania, and recently acquired stakes in Santander Bank Polska, emphasizing expansion in the region. Notable innovations include the digital banking platform George, used by millions, and social banking initiatives that promote financial inclusion, microfinance, and prosperity since 2016. As a significant institution under European Central Bank supervision, it plays a pivotal role in the CEE financial market, blending traditional savings banking with modern universal services.