Growth & Present
(2000–today)
2001
In 2001, a joint liability scheme is established with the federal state savings banks, which protects customer deposits well above the statutory minimum. This is accompanied by the development of a strong joint brand and close cooperation in marketing, product development, and securities settlement.
The principle of the liability network: security through solidarity, image source: https:// www.sparkasse.at/erstebank/privatkunden/sparen- anlegen/sparen/einlagensicherunganlegerentschaedigung/ haftungsverbund
2003
In 2003, Mezöbank, now known as Erste Bank Hungary, merges with the Hungarian Postabank. In Croatia, Riječka banka becomes part of Erste & Steiermärkische Bank, which had previously taken over three small Croatian banks: Bjelovarska banka, Trgovačka banka, and Čakovečka banka. Erste also establishes a presence in Serbia, acquiring a majority stake in Novosadska banka.
The ERSTE Foundation is established in the same year. It is active in the same geographical area as Erste Group.
Logo ERSTE Stiftung, © ERSTE Stiftung
Erste Bank Croatia, Zagreb, © Erste Group
2005
In 2005, Erste wins the privatization tender for Romania's largest bank, Banca Comerciala Romana. With a value of EUR 3.75 billion, the purchase represents the largest foreign direct investment by an Austrian company to date.
2006
With the creation of the “Second Savings Bank”, the company is continuing its charitable founding principle. People in need are given the opportunity to open a bank account and receive debt counseling. All employees of the “Second” work on a voluntary basis.
2008
In 2008, the group of banks becomes a banking group: the Erste Group holding company primarily assumes management functions, while the subsidiaries are responsible for local customer business. With Elisabeth Bleyleben-Koren as CEO of Erste Bank Austria, a woman headed a major domestic bank for the first time.
2015
In 2015, the digital banking platform George goes online and revolutionizes e-banking in terms of simplicity, user-friendliness, and personalization. Clearly designed screens, intuitive functions, and intelligent technology set new standards.
2016
After four years of planning and four years of construction, Erste Campus, the corporate headquarters of Erste Group and Erste Bank Austria in the Belvedere district, has been completed. The building was designed by the Viennese architectural firm Henke Schreieck. Around 30 scattered locations are now being consolidated in one place.
The FLiP, the Erste Financial Life Park, is opening on the Erste Campus. It offers a playful introduction to the topic of money and finance on an area of around 1,500 square meters.
2019
Erste Group and Erste Bank are celebrating their 200th anniversary with a variety of events, an anniversary publication, and a grand celebration at Vienna's Musikverein.
For two months, the Ringturm building of Wiener Städtische Versicherung is adorned with a sign visible from afar in honor of 200 years of Erste Bank: the central sentence from the founding statutes, “No age, no gender, no class, no nation is excluded from the benefits,” is displayed across 3,000 m² of the building.