Erste Group Eyes Polish Majority Stake

Erste Group has announced its intention to increase its ownership in its Polish subsidiary, Erste Bank Polska, through a tender offer commencing on Monday. Currently holding a 49% stake, the Austrian bank seeks majority control to enable greater future flexibility in expanding its holding.

This strategic move aligns with Erste's broader Central and Eastern European expansion strategy, with Poland representing a significant banking market. The group has updated its 2026 financial outlook, now targeting loan volumes exceeding €290 billion and projecting net interest income growth of over 6% (excluding Poland), an increase from the previous 5% forecast.

These revised targets reflect robust customer growth observed in the first nine months of 2026. Furthermore, Erste Group reported a third-quarter net profit of €1.12 billion, surpassing the anticipated €1.08 billion, driven by increased lending and deposit volumes that boosted net interest and fee income.