Erste Group, headquartered in Vienna, Austria, is one of the largest financial services providers in Central and Eastern Europe. It was established in 1819 as the first Austrian savings bank and later evolved into a banking group. The currently known Erste Group was formed in 1997 through a merger between Erste Bank der Österreichischen Sparkassen AG and GiroCredit Bank AG.

The headquarters of Erste Group are located in the picturesque district of Leopoldstadt, Vienna. The modern building boasts a unique design and provides a central base for the operations and management of the Group. Erste Group offers a wide range of financial products and services that cater to individual, corporate, and institutional clients.

It provides banking services such as current and savings accounts, loans, mortgages, credit cards, and investment products. The group also offers insurance products, pension plans, asset management, and leasing services. Erste Group operates on a global scale.

Apart from its strong presence in Austria and Central and Eastern Europe, it has subsidiaries and branches in countries like Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Serbia. The group also has strategic partnerships with companies such as Sberbank in Russia, BCR in Romania, and Banca Comerciala Romana. In terms of market position, Erste Group is a leading provider of financial services in its target markets.

It ranks among the largest banks in Central and Eastern Europe, and its expertise in these regions has helped it gain a competitive advantage. The group has consistently achieved solid financial performance and has maintained its position as a trusted and innovative banking partner. One significant milestone for Erste Group was its entry into the Romanian market in 2005 through the acquisition of Banca Comerciala Romana, gaining a significant market share in the country.

Currently, Erste Group is focused on further growing its market presence and profitability. It is actively pursuing digitalization initiatives to provide innovative and convenient banking solutions for its customers. The group continues to adapt to changing market conditions and customer needs to remain a leading financial institution in its target markets