Erste, AT0000652011

Erste Group stock gains on stronger earnings and higher 2026 targets

Published on 11/06/2026 at 10:05 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Erste Group stock follows stronger nine-month earnings after the bank lifted several 2026 targets. Poland remains central to the expansion.

Growth and guidance improve

First-half consolidation of Erste Bank Polska materially increased revenue, loans and expenses.
Management raised targets for loan volume, net interest income, fee income and the cost/income ratio.
Reported 2026 net profit is expected to exceed EUR 4 billion, while return on tangible equity should top 20%.

Erste, AT0000652011, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Erste Group raised its 2026 financial outlook after reporting net profit attributable to owners of the parent of EUR 3.095 billion for the first nine months. The result, released on October 30, was 20.6% above the year-earlier figure, according to the bank's investor information.

The first-time consolidation of Erste Bank Polska was a major factor in the figures. Net interest income rose 43.4% to EUR 8.258 billion, while net fee and commission income increased 24.0% to EUR 2.903 billion. Erste said the Polish business contributed EUR 2.095 billion to net interest income and EUR 341 million to fee income during the period.

Poland expands the earnings base

Loans and advances to customers increased 23.9% to EUR 287.4 billion, including a Polish portfolio of EUR 41.9 billion. Customer deposits rose 28.1% to EUR 324.1 billion, also reflecting the addition of the Polish business. The loan-to-deposit ratio improved to 88.7% from 91.7% a year earlier.

Operating income advanced 40.1% to EUR 12.031 billion, but general administrative expenses also rose 30.1% to EUR 5.293 billion. Erste booked EUR 100 million of integration costs in the first nine months. The cost/income ratio nevertheless improved to 44.0% from 47.4%.

Risk costs increased to 37 basis points of average gross customer loans from 19 basis points. The bank attributed a material part of the increase to a EUR 302 million provision linked to the initial consolidation of the Polish portfolio under IFRS 9, saying the charge does not indicate deterioration in that portfolio. The non-performing loan ratio edged down to 2.3% from 2.4%.

Targets move higher for 2026

For the enlarged group, Erste now expects net customer loans above EUR 290 billion, compared with approximately EUR 290 billion previously. Net interest income is projected to exceed EUR 11 billion, reported net profit is expected to top EUR 4 billion and return on tangible equity should exceed 20%. Earnings per share are forecast to increase by more than 20% against adjusted 2025 net profit.

Excluding Erste Bank Polska, management now expects net interest income to grow by more than 6%, up from about 5% previously. Fee and commission income is projected to rise by around 10%, compared with the earlier range of 7% to 9%, while the cost/income ratio target improves to below 46% from below 47%. Organic loan growth remains guided at 6% to 8%.

Erste Group stock traded at 112.60 euros on Lang & Schwarz at 10:01 CET on Friday, November 6, 2026. Investors can follow the real-time quote of Erste Group stock.

The outlook still depends on economic and geopolitical conditions, monetary and fiscal policy, regulation and competition. Erste also highlighted integration costs, amortisation effects and banking levies as factors shaping reported earnings in 2026.

European market developments are summarized in current market reports.

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