Erste Group Bank: expects net profit of approx. EUR 1.8bn in 2018

Vienna (pta024/25.01.2019/15:10 UTC+1) Erste Group announces that it expects to report net profit of approx. EUR 1.8 billion in 2018. This development was primarily driven by:

* An increase in the operating result to about EUR 2.73 billion in FY2018
* Releases of risk provisions of about EUR 59 million in FY2018
* A tax rate of below 15% in FY 2018, benefitting from the booking of deferred tax assets

Based on this positive development the management board of Erste Group will propose a dividend of EUR 1.4 per share to the annual general meeting.

A full business update and an outlook for 2019 will be provided with publication of FY2018 preliminary results on 28 February 2019.

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Emitter:	Erste Group Bank Am Belvedere 1 1100 Wien Austria
Contact Person:	Thomas Sommerauer/ Simone Pilz
Phone:	+43 (0)5 0100 - 17326
E-Mail:	thomas.sommerauer@erstegroup.com
Website:	www.erstegroup.com
ISIN(s):	AT0000652011 (Share)
Stock Exchange(s):	Vienna Stock Exchange (Official Trade)
Other Stock Exchanges:	Bucharest Stock Exchange, Prague Stock Exchange