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Erste Group Bank AG (Erste Group) was founded in 1819 as the first savings bank in Austria and went public on the Vienna Stock Exchange in 1997. Its strategy was to expand its retail banking segment into Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Since then, Erste Group has grown through numerous acquisitions and organic growth to become one of the largest financial services providers in the eastern part of the EU. It currently provides services to approx. 16.1 million customers, and the total assets amount to EUR 307 billion.
Besides the traditional strength in serving private individuals, Erste Group's core activities also include advisory services and support for corporate clients in financing, investment and access to international capital markets, public sector funding and interbank market operations. The most important priority for Erste Group is the implementation of projects in CEE.
"DIE ERSTE österreichische Spar-Casse - Bank AG" merged with "GiroCredit Bank Aktiengesellschaft der Sparkassen" and changed its name in "Erste Bank der oesterreichischen Sparkassen AG" operating under the name "Erste Bank". The new bank went public at the Vienna Stock Exchange in November 1997.
Customer base: 600.000
In February 2000, Erste Bank acquired a majority stake in Česká spořitelna, the biggest retail bank in the Czech Republic.
Customer base: 6.2 Million
From the start of 2001, Erste Bank became the majority shareholder of Slovenská sporitel’na, the largest Slovak bank.
Customer base: 8 Million
Erste Bank created the 3rd largest banking group in Croatia through the merger of Erste&Steiermärkische Bank d.d. and Rijecka banka d.d.
Customer base: 11.3 Million
Erste Bank and Postabank completed the merger to form Hungary's second largest retail bank.
Customer base: 11.8 Million
Erste Bank acquired a majority stake in Novosadska banka a.d., Novi Sad from the Republic of Serbia.
Customer base: 12.4 Million
Erste Bank finalised acquisition of Banca Comerciala Romana S.A. (BCR), the biggest bank in Romania.
Customer base: 15.9 Million
Legal separation of the Austrian business of “Erste Bank der oesterreichischen Sparkassen AG” from the newly founded holding company “Erste Group Bank AG”. New holding structure with the focus of improving Group governance.
Customer base: 17.2 Million
Today, Erste Group operates directly or indirectly in eleven countries with a uniform market presence.
