15.11.2023

Erste Private Banking wins a broad range of awards from PWM/The Banker and Global Finance

Erste recognized as best private bank in Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Romania and Slovakia
Additional awards as CEE region’s leading private bank, including for sustainable investing

Erste Private Banking has recently been awarded a total of eight “best bank” distinctions from the well-regarded financial industry publications PWM/The Banker and Global Finance. PWM/The Banker recognized Erste as being the best private bank in the CEE region overall, as well as at a national level in both Austria and Romania. In its awards programme, Global Finance honoured Erste with best private bank awards for Czechia, Slovakia, Croatia and Romania, and highlighted Erste Group for being the Best Private Bank for Sustainable Investing in CEE.

“In the past year, we have achieved remarkable milestones across all our markets, reflecting our commitment to innovation and client-centricity. A significant driver of our business growth and success was due to the focus on our highly individualized discretionary portfolio management solution and the introduction of a pioneering private equity offer in Austria. Furthermore, we have built out our digital solutions to meet the highest convenience standards of our customers,” explains Maximilian Clary und Aldringen, Head of Private Banking and Wealth Management. “Our goal is simple: we want to help our clients reach their financial goals through innovative and modern solutions.”

CEE: Best Private Bank and Best Private Bank for Sustainable Investing

This year marks the tenth consecutive year that Erste Group has garnered the "Best Private Bank in Central and Eastern Europe" award from PWM/The Banker. In parallel, Global Finance has chosen Erste Group as the Best Private Bank for Sustainable Investing in CEE in its private banking awards.

Erste Group provides private banking services to private clients in Austria and the CEE region, where its local private banking units operate in Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia. In these markets, Erste Private Banking offers a full range of wealth management services to around 24,500 private clients with total assets under management of EUR 33.7 billion.

In 2023, Erste Group’s private banking continued to develop its digital services to further complement the strength of its in-person advisory offerings. This included the introduction of robust online platforms and mobile applications, allowing clients to manage their accounts, perform transactions, and access a wide range of services conveniently and securely. Additionally, Erste Private Banking emphasized expanding its investment offerings and capabilities, increasing the focus on ESG in its investment strategies, launching a pioneering private equity offer in Austria, and offering personalized services tailored to the specific needs and preferences of its clients. These initiatives, along with others such as seamless omnichannel banking and simplified onboarding processes, enhanced the overall client experience and demonstrated Erste Group's commitment to innovation in private banking.

Austria: “Best Private Bank” (PWM/The Banker)

Recognized by PWM/The Banker as the best private bank in Austria for the 9th time, Erste Group’s private banking offering in the country stands out on the basis of its advice and services for high net worth individuals. In addition, Erste Private Banking is also the market leader in Austria in the investment fund business. In Austria, Erste Private Banking services more than 6,000 customers and manages close to 46 billion euros in total assets, including its institutional business.

Czechia: “Best Private Bank” (Global Finance)

Erste Private Banking in Czechia has been servicing well-to-do clients within the Česká spořitelna financial group since 2007. With private bankers active in branches in Prague, Brno, České Budějovice, Hradec Králové, Pardubice, Liberec, Plzeň, Olomouc, Ostrava, Ústí nad Labem and Zlín, Erste Private Banking in the Czech Republic has over 5,800 high net worth clients and more than 6,0 billion euros in assets under management.

Slovakia: “Best Private Bank” (Global Finance)

Erste Private Banking in Slovakia has been providing high-quality banking services since 2011. It has a strong regional presence throughout the country, with offices in Bratislava, Trnava, Nitra, Trenčín, Banská Bystrica, Žilina, Košice and Prešov. One of the leaders on the Slovak banking market, Erste Private Banking manages assets totaling more than 1,3 billion euros for its over 1,800 well-to-do clients.

Romania: “Best Private Bank” (both PWM/The Banker and Global Finance)

Erste Private Banking has been offered by Banca Comerciala Romana (BCR), Erste Group’s local subsidiary, since 2010. Erste Private Banking covers all regions across Romania, with a strong presence in Bucharest and also in five other leading cities: Cluj, Timisoara, Brasov, Iasi and Constanta. Erste Private Banking Romania provides its services and products to around 3,100 UHNW and HNW clients, with total assets under management of around 2.1 billion euros.

Croatia: “Best Private Bank” (Global Finance)

Erste Private Banking has also been operating in Croatia since 2011 and has offices in Zagreb, Rijeka, and Split. In total, it serves over 1,000 wealthy clients in Croatia.