Bancherul - BANCI / ENGLISH / Investment in Erste Group yields EUR 98 million in dividends for the Republic of Austria

Erste Group Bank AG increased the level of its equity by a total of EUR 5 billion in the globally challenging financial year 2009. The participation capital issued in three tranches with identical terms between April and May 2009 was also one of the reasons for this development, said the bank in a press release.

In total, EUR 1.76 billion in participation capital was placed, with EUR 1.22 billion being subscribed by the Republic of Austria and some EUR 540 million by private investors. Today, Erste Group Bank AG paid these investors a sum of EUR 141 million in dividends: EUR 98 million to the Republic of Austria and EUR 43 million to private investors.

The source of the EUR 5 billion additional equity capital is the participation capital as well as the issuance of equities (EUR 1.7 billion), in the autumn of 2009, and a profit of over EUR 900 million.

"The really very harsh year of 2009 has proven that we as a retail bank have chosen the right position geographically - in the CEE region - which is even resilient in times of crisis. What is especially pleasing in this context is that we convinced many shareholders to invest in our company in such an environment," said Andreas Treichl, CEO of Erste Group Bank AG.