Annual Report 2022
Editorial deadline: 28 February 2023, unless stated otherwise
Letter from the CEO
“We will continue to support the people and economies
of our region to build up financial well-being, both
through our lending practices and our commitment
to customer-focused innovation.”
Willi Cernko, CEO of Erste Group Bank AG
Our Results
- Sustainable profitability
- Operating performance improves
- Customer business drives balance sheet growth
- Sound asset quality and favourable capitalisation
Our Strategy
Erste Group strives to be the leading retail and corporate bank in the eastern part of the European Union, including Austria. To achieve this goal, Erste Group aims to support its retail, corporate and public sector customers in realising their ambitions and ensuring financial health.
Sustainability – ESG
Already since we were founded over 200 years ago, we take responsibility for society and strive for a positive development in our region.
Highlights
Sustainable profitability
_ Net result of EUR 2,164.7 million
_ Local banks in all core markets are profitable
_ Dividend of EUR 1.9 per share proposed to AGM
Operating performance improves
_ Operating revenues increase by 10.7% driven by net
interest income and net fee and commission income
_ Operating expenses increase amid inflationary environment
by 6.2%
_ Cost/income ratio target set for 2024 already met in 2022, improves to 53.4%
Customer business drives balance sheet growth
_ Net loans increase by 12.1% to EUR 202.1 billion,
primarily due to increasing demand from corporate
customers
_ Solid deposit growth supported by all customer groups
Sound asset quality
_ NPL ratio improves to 2.0%, the lowest level since the IPO
_ NPL provision coverage at 94.6%
_ Risk costs of 15 basis points
(on average gross customer loans)
Favourable capitalisation
_ CET1 ratio (CRR final) increases to 14.2%
_ Capital significantly above regulatory requirements and
internal target
Excellent funding and liquidity position
_ Strong retail deposit base in all core countries is key trust indicator and competitive advantage
_ Loan-to-deposit ratio at 90.2%
_ All local banks successfully placed MREL-related
issuances