Erste Group Bank AG

Erste Group Bank AG is a major European financial institution that operates as a universal bank with a prominent presence across Central and Eastern Europe. Founded in 1819 as Austria’s first savings bank, it has evolved into a publicly-listed company serving approximately 17 million clients in over 2,000 branches spanning seven countries, including Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary, Croatia, and Serbia. Its core operations encompass a broad spectrum of retail banking products and services, from personal lending and savings accounts to investment solutions and payment services. In addition to retail banking, Erste Group offers comprehensive corporate banking—supporting businesses with financing, advisory, investment, and hedging activities. The bank also plays a significant role in public sector funding, particularly through infrastructure finance and sovereign bond investment across the region. Erste Group is a central entity within the Austrian Savings Banks Group and has strategic importance in regional financial markets due to its size, market reach, and inclusion in key indices.