Erste Group Bank reported net profit of €1,975 million for the first half of 2026, with a record second-quarter net profit of €1,096 million marking the first time the Austrian lender's quarterly bottom line has exceeded €1 billion. The operating result climbed 49.3% year on year to €4,422 million.
The second-quarter return on tangible equity was 22.1% (19.6% for the half), and the first-half cost/income ratio improved to 44.4% from 47.7%, according to the investor information released on 30 July.
OPERATING RESULT EXPANDS SHARPLY
The 49.3% year-on-year jump in operating result largely reflects the first-time consolidation of Erste Bank Polska, which contributed €1,821 million of operating income, alongside growth in other core markets. Net interest income rose 42.3% to €5,386 million, with Poland contributing €1,370 million and further increases in Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary on loan growth and lower deposit costs.
Operating income rose 40.4% to €7,959 million while operating expenses rose 30.7% to €3,537 million; the first-half figures include €1,821 million of operating income and €738 million of general administrative expenses from Poland.
RECORD QUARTER, ELEVATED RETURNS
The €1,096 million Q2 net profit was the first time the Vienna-based group's quarterly net profit topped €1 billion, according to its results presentation.
Erste described the second-quarter RoTE of 22.1% as a record.
Alongside the results, Erste raised its 2026 outlook, now targeting a return on tangible equity of above 20% (previously about 19%) and loan growth of 6-8% in its seven long-established core markets. Erste also raised its 2026 reported net profit forecast for the combined group to above €4 billion, from somewhat below €4 billion previously.