Employee interviews
Talking to talented team players.
Outstanding performance is only possible when employees with personality, talent and experience come together. That is why we delegate as much personal responsibility to our employees as we can, and we look for people who can make us what we are.
Tuo Wang, Business Analyst
“I am the bridge between IT and business.”
What’s behind your job title?
I am the bridge between IT and business. My job is to optimise a range of different processes that are in part the result of historical developments, and in doing so to help increase efficiency. I work closely with both areas of the business and sometimes act as a translator between the two disciplines.
What do you especially like about your job?
As part of my job involves working on the IT architecture, I work with a lot of different departments so as to keep an overview of our projects. As a result, I get to know a lot of new people.
What challenges does your job present?
The projects I deal with are different every time. In principle I view this variety as positive and enriching, but this can also sometimes be very challenging. So, for example, the systems landscape has evolved over the last few decades. This means I am often having to weigh up some very complicated considerations in order to continue to be able to end up with fully functioning, integrated processes.
What particular skills have you acquired in the course of doing your job?
Analytical thinking, for sure. As the interface between IT and Finance, you need to grasp the connections and correlations pretty quickly so as to be able to draw the right conclusions. This means you get to know the internal structure of the organisation extremely well so that you can work effectively across departments.
Describe a typical working day for us.
My working day is full of meetings. But I couldn’t really say there’s a general pattern to it. It always depends on the topics to be dealt with, or the phase in which a project finds itself. So a day can vary greatly – sometimes I’m collecting a lot of information; and on another day I will spend a lot of time analysing, interpreting and visualising the results.
What were your first few weeks at the company like?
Very exciting. I was involved in a new project straight away. So I didn’t just experience the whole process right from the start, I also helped to shape it. I found this development phase very exciting at the time. Not least because at the same time I was also taking part in Erste Group’s Group Graduate Programme (GGP). This meant I could link my impressions into the many training sessions, seminars and workshops I took part in.
Which benefits do you particularly appreciate?
I really appreciate the fact that we as employees have the opportunity to take part in so many different forms of training and development. This allows you to get to grips with some totally new topics even if you knew little or nothing about them beforehand. I started here as a trainee and so was able to spend time in many different departments.
How would you describe the atmosphere in your workplace?
Informal. It’s clear that the concept of flat hierarchies is taken seriously here. We talk to each other as equals and I like that a lot. I have the feeling that I can talk to anyone at any time on Erste Campus.
What would be your advice to new starters in Erste Group?
I would advise them not to be intimidated by the size of the organisation. Most tasks are easier to carry out once you have grasped the structure and the internal processes of this organisation. Basically you have to stick at it, make contributions where you can and demonstrate commitment. Your first successes will be sure to follow on soon.
How would you describe Erste Group as an employer to a friend?
Erste Group is a lot cooler than you might think. I was surprised at how working on Erste Campus doesn’t seem like working at a classical bank, such as my generation knows from earlier days. I feel I’m in good hands here in this modern environment!
What’s behind your job title?
I am the bridge between IT and business. My job is to optimise a range of different processes that are in part the result of historical developments, and in doing so to help increase efficiency. I work closely with both areas of the business and sometimes act as a translator between the two disciplines.
What do you especially like about your job?
As part of my job involves working on the IT architecture, I work with a lot of different departments so as to keep an overview of our projects. As a result, I get to know a lot of new people.
What challenges does your job present?
The projects I deal with are different every time. In principle I view this variety as positive and enriching, but this can also sometimes be very challenging. So, for example, the systems landscape has evolved over the last few decades. This means I am often having to weigh up some very complicated considerations in order to continue to be able to end up with fully functioning, integrated processes.
What particular skills have you acquired in the course of doing your job?
Analytical thinking, for sure. As the interface between IT and Finance, you need to grasp the connections and correlations pretty quickly so as to be able to draw the right conclusions. This means you get to know the internal structure of the organisation extremely well so that you can work effectively across departments.
Describe a typical working day for us.
My working day is full of meetings. But I couldn’t really say there’s a general pattern to it. It always depends on the topics to be dealt with, or the phase in which a project finds itself. So a day can vary greatly – sometimes I’m collecting a lot of information; and on another day I will spend a lot of time analysing, interpreting and visualising the results.
What were your first few weeks at the company like?
Very exciting. I was involved in a new project straight away. So I didn’t just experience the whole process right from the start, I also helped to shape it. I found this development phase very exciting at the time. Not least because at the same time I was also taking part in Erste Group’s Group Graduate Programme (GGP). This meant I could link my impressions into the many training sessions, seminars and workshops I took part in.
Which benefits do you particularly appreciate?
I really appreciate the fact that we as employees have the opportunity to take part in so many different forms of training and development. This allows you to get to grips with some totally new topics even if you knew little or nothing about them beforehand. I started here as a trainee and so was able to spend time in many different departments.
How would you describe the atmosphere in your workplace?
Informal. It’s clear that the concept of flat hierarchies is taken seriously here. We talk to each other as equals and I like that a lot. I have the feeling that I can talk to anyone at any time on Erste Campus.
What would be your advice to new starters in Erste Group?
I would advise them not to be intimidated by the size of the organisation. Most tasks are easier to carry out once you have grasped the structure and the internal processes of this organisation. Basically you have to stick at it, make contributions where you can and demonstrate commitment. Your first successes will be sure to follow on soon.
How would you describe Erste Group as an employer to a friend?
Erste Group is a lot cooler than you might think. I was surprised at how working on Erste Campus doesn’t seem like working at a classical bank, such as my generation knows from earlier days. I feel I’m in good hands here in this modern environment!
Emira Al-Baghdadi, Head of Data and Reporting Governance
“We’ve been a champion and a living example of open, social values for over 200 years!”
What’s behind your job title?
The Data and Reporting Governance team is responsible for the strategic and operational implementation of data, reporting and scope of consolidation governance within Erste Group. We work throughout the entire Group and advise our colleagues on all reporting requirements as well as on data governance issues. We provide an interface to our sister departments Data Management and Regulatory Reporting. My job title perhaps hides the fact that I am also team leader.
What do you especially like about your job?
I particularly like the flexibility and creative possibilities in the work my team does. We work in a very proactive way, and our most important success factor is good communication throughout the group. Every day is different, full of variety; and calls for us to be able to think out of the box so that we can take strategic and operational decisions. I find the interaction with our Sparkassen and foreign subsidiaries especially enjoyable. Our colleagues on the ground there are doing a fantastic job; and it’s important that we identify and react to their differing needs.
What challenges does your job present?
Various (organisational) structures within Erste Group represent a challenge - but are at the same time what makes our organisation unique. The different issues my team has to deal with - and the correspondingly different backgrounds of my employees - present a further challenge.
What particular skills have you acquired in the course of doing your job?
I have very quickly learned to think strategically, be bold and waste no time in implementing decisions and to be flexible so as to deal with diverse issues in as agile, innovative and efficient manner as possible.
Describe a typical working day for us.
My working day usually starts around 9 o’clock and I'm soon in the first of a series of meetings. After lunch, normally taken in Campus Bräu, there are usually more meetings in different parts of the office complex. For that reason, I always take my mobile and laptop with me, so that I can remain flexible. I frequently go on business trips, within Austria or to our foreign subsidiaries or for meetings with supervisory bodies.
How did you find your first few weeks with the organisation?
I started working here over 14 years ago - but I can still remember that I felt at home immediately. With my international background, it means a lot to me to be working for an organisation that upholds and supports diversity and social openness.
Which benefits do you particularly appreciate?
I am a big fan of the Health Center. Why? Because it’s superb! It is downright exemplary, just how many activities and special services our Health Center offers. We have really good doctors here on Erste Campus – even an alternative medicine specialist. Our various sports clubs are a further benefit; and I know that many employees find it great that we have a company kindergarten.
How would you describe the atmosphere in your workplace?
The atmosphere in our team is open and honest, and we frequently enjoy a laugh. I like the fact that we are a real mix of characters and personalities, and that we are all prepared to voice our opinions. It’s very important to me that we have a good atmosphere in the team, given that we’re together for so many hours per week :-)
What would be your advice to new starters in Erste Group?
For me, Erste Group stands for values that it has upheld for 200 years now. They also go to make up the atmosphere on Erste Campus. I would recommend everyone to find out about the history, the social background and the structure of Erste Group. This background will help starters to form a picture of Erste Group.
How would you describe Erste Group as an employer to a friend?
Erste Group is most definitely an organisation that takes care of its employees. In general, I would say there is a very good atmosphere on Erste Campus. I think people are happy working here. It is also an organisation that is proud of its values and attitudes.
Luca Hofbauer, Retail Project Manager
„I am proud to be able to work for a bank which promotes innovation leadership as a value."
What’s behind your job title?
I am a kind of Inhouse Consultant for the group’s retail strategy. My focus is on supporting the CEE countries with retail. This often involves frequent travel abroad for work.
What do you especially like about your job?
I really like the fact that I have to deal with lots of very conceptual strategy-related issues. It is always a great experience to generate added value for our customers. The success of our customers is often tangible and this is therefore also a successful experience for me.
What restrictions does your job place on you?
The Erste has historically grown in all of its countries. This often results in different starting positions at the point of project implementation. Customer behaviour too differs in the different countries. We also have to get to grips with the CEE region to understand various processes and decisions involved. For me personally, this has meant addressing the history of the respective countries.
What particular skills have you acquired in the course of doing your job?
For me, the best training field is to be confronted by the constant changes taking place in today’s banking sector. My team and I have to address the continual changes both on the market and in digitisation and consider how the Erste Group can guarantee to play a pioneering role. Change management! You definitely have to be open minded and prepared for the future.
Describe a typical working day for us.
I am definitely not a morning person. So I am happy that we have trust-based working hours at the Erste Campus. Nevertheless, I start at around 09.00 and have lots of meetings throughout the day. We also have regular reflection sessions where we give mutual feedback so as to optimise our approaches. This is important because we plan a lot in advance and need to be able to rely on one another in the team.
What were your first few weeks at the company like?
I started out in Sales Management as a university intern in 2013. It was very exciting for me because it was my first job after learning the theory at university. It felt good right from the start and I knew relatively quickly which direction I wanted to go in. I was very lucky to have a mentor at the time who introduced me to the position. I immediately had a good feeling that I was creating added value and was given more responsibility as a result. As a young employee on Erste Campus, it is often necessary to bring several generations together. I find this mix of expertise and experience with youthfulness very refreshing.
Which benefits do you particulary appreciate?
I think it’s great that the bank manages to maintain the sense of intrinsic motivation. Identifying with the key values of Erste Bank plays a big part in this. I also enjoy eating at the restaurants on Erste Campus and the informality which makes the bank cool.
How would you describe the atmosphere in your workplace?
The atmosphere is very constructive. We question things a lot to generate added value for our customers and guarantee them a head start in terms of information.
What would be your adive to new starters in Erste Group?
Question things as much as possible and adopt an open attitude towards others. You have to want to step outside your comfort zone and be passionate about learning everything. There is no question too silly to ask.
How would you describe Erste Group as an employer to a friend?
Surprisingly cooler than society’s perception of banking, perhaps. I am proud to be able to work for a bank which promotes innovation leadership as a value. The best thing to do is take a look at the bank’s statement of purpose. The vibe on Erste Campus reflects this and you get a good feeling doing something good for society.