Welcome to Erste Group
The Austrian banking group that puts people first
Erste Group invests in Poland
We are here to stay, to invest and to contribute to the country’s long-term prosperity.
About us
Over 200 years of trust
Since 1819, our mission has been to create prosperity for everyone no matter their nationality, gender or age. The world has changed, but that belief has not. Today, we still carry that purpose forward, serving 17 million customers across 7 Central European countries.
Erste Group in numbers
Our markets
Our History
A bank for people since 1819
For over 200 years, we have been committed to making financial security accessible to everyone. Staying true to that mission has turned what once began as a modest Viennese savings bank into today’s Erste Group - one of the largest banks in Central Europe.
1819: Our founding
1820–1852: The idea of savings banks spreads
1873: Stability despite the Vienna stock market crash
1960s: The electronic age dawns
1997: The starting shot for expansion into CEE
2003: ERSTE Stiftung is established
2006: Social Banking activities start
2012: George, the personal financial companion is launched
2016: FLiP - financial education for a whole life
2025: Erste invests in Poland
Our Brand
Our story begins with a simple principle: Those who believe in themselves can grow. And those who grow can make a difference. This applies to every individual, regardless of their origin.
“No age, no gender, no status, no nation is excluded from the benefits offered by the Savings Bank to each depositor.”
From the founding charter of the “Erste Oesterreichische Sparcasse”. Vienna, October 1819
In 1819, Marie Schwarz became the first customer of Erste, receiving the first savings book. We believed in her, enabling her to build prosperity. Because we had a simple yet radical idea: Personal growth should be open to everyone.
With this idea, we became the largest bank in Central Europe, and the one richest in tradition – enduring for centuries through every crisis.
Until this day, helping people grow and prosper and secure their wealth is the purpose of Erste Group – and the guiding principle for our brand and business. We bring this purpose to life through our brand narrative:
Every country needs people who believe in themselves. And a bank, that believes in them.
#believeinyourself
Believe in Christmas
Embracing the spirit of the season and our brand, explore some of our festive campaigns
Financial Health
For more than 200 years, we have seen it as our task to create prosperity for everyone, whatever their nationality, creed, gender or age. Times change, but our founding idea is just as relevant now as it has always been – we are here to accompany people in matters of financial health throughout their lives. Because financial health is the key to a fulfilled and sustainable life – today and in the future.
Media
Browse our most recent press releases, official announcements and media information.
Social Banking
Banking for financial and social inclusion
Erste Group has opened its doors to everyone more than 200 years ago – even to those, who didn’t have access to banking services before. Thus, Social Banking is deeply rooted in our history and is still an integral part of our DNA.
Erste Group’s Social Banking has put a profound focus on people - their lives, needs, environment, education, and, above all, their financial health. Since 2016, we have been on a mission to foster prosperity and expand access to finance in Austria and CEE region. We track our progress in achieving our objectives regularly by a robust impact survey with our clients.
See our impact