Erste Group stock: Loan target raised as Poland tender nears

Erste Group raised its 2026 loan target and set the next step in its expansion in Poland on Friday, October 30. The bank plans to launch a voluntary tender offer for shares in Erste Bank Polska on Monday, November 2, with the subscription period starting on November 3, according to the company announcement published by EQS News.

Erste Group intends to increase its holding in Erste Bank Polska from 49 percent to more than 50 percent, while keeping the stake below 75 percent. The offer price is expected to be about 713 Polish zloty per share, and settlement is anticipated in December, subject to sufficient shareholder acceptance and the applicable conditions.

Stronger Lending Supports Guidance

Including Erste Bank Polska, loan volume rose 24 percent year to date to 287.4 billion euros through the first nine months of 2026. On a comparable basis excluding Poland, customer loans increased 5.8 percent, while deposits grew 4.5 percent.

Management lifted the full-year loan target to above 290 billion euros, compared with approximately 290 billion euros previously. Net interest income excluding Erste Bank Polska is now expected to grow by more than 6 percent, up from guidance of about 5 percent. The bank also projects fee and commission income excluding Poland to increase by around 10 percent.

Net profit including the Polish subsidiary rose 20.6 percent to 3.1 billion euros in the first nine months. Return on tangible equity reached 20.9 percent, while the pro forma CET1 ratio stood at 15.0 percent. Reuters reported that third-quarter net profit reached about 1.12 billion euros and exceeded the average analyst forecast cited in its report.

Share Price and Investor Focus

Erste Group stock traded at 108.25 euros on Lang & Schwarz at 9:57 a.m. CET on Saturday, October 31. Investors' focus now turns to the tender timetable, the financing of the Polish stake increase and the effect of further consolidation on capital and earnings.

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