Erste Group Bank AG: Erste Group enters into an agreement to sell Erste Bank Ukraine

Vienna (pta025/20.12.2012/14:35 UTC+1) Erste Group has today entered into an agreement with the owners of FIDOBANK, a group of companies ultimately controlled by Oleksandr Adarich, about the sale of its Ukrainian subsidiary, Erste Bank Ukraine, for a cash consideration of USD 83 million (about EUR 63 million, at a FX rate USD/EUR=0.76). This decision is consistent with Erste Group's focus on customer business in the Eastern part of the European Union. Erste Group expects the closing of this transaction during the course of 2013.

As a result of this transaction, Erste Group will recognise a charge (fair value valuation) of about EUR 71 million after tax in the Q4 12 income statement (pre-tax: about EUR 94 million).

Upon closing of the transaction the negative currency translation effect (EUR/UAH) related to capital and goodwill in the amount of EUR 80.4 million as at 30 September 2012, which is already recognised in equity will be recycled through the income statement. Thus, this technical booking will not affect the capital position of Erste Group.

Erste Bank Ukraine employs 1,536 staff and had a balance sheet total of EUR 758 million as at 30 September 2012.

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Emitter:	Erste Group Bank AG Milchgasse 1 1010 Wien Austria
Contact Person:	Thomas Sommerauer/ Simone Pilz
Phone:	+ 43 (0)5 0100 - 17741
E-Mail:	investor.relations@erstegroup.com
Website:	www.erstegroup.com
ISIN(s):	AT0000652011 (Share)
Stock Exchange(s):	Vienna Stock Exchange