Erste Group Bank AG: Prolongation of the programme for Erste Group share transactions

Vienna (pta039/11.06.2013/20:30 UTC+2) Prolongation of the programme for Erste Group share transactions by savings banks in cross guarantee system

The Haftungsverbund regulates the co-operation of all 50 Austrian savings banks and provides the legal framework for all savings banks to be consolidated in Erste Group's financial statements, as defined by section 59 of the Austrian Banking Act (BWG).

Furthermore, savings banks, in which Erste Group Bank AG holds no less than a 20% interest, are now considered associated companies within the scope of sections 228 and 244 of the Austrian Commercial Code (UGB). Consequently, Erste Group shares owned by these savings banks are regarded as treasury shares within the scope of section 65 of the Stock Corporation Act (AktG). As a result transactions in Erste Group shares by these savings banks are subject to enhanced approval and disclosure requirements.

On 11 June 2013 the Management Board of Erste Group Bank AG took the decision to prolong the authorisation to sell Erste Group shares subject to the approval of the Supervisory Board. The Supervisory Board intends to approve the subsequently described prolongation of the authorisation to sell Erste Group shares on 25 June 2013. According to this resolution, 5,168,549 shares of Erste Group (1.3% of the share capital) may be sold through the stock exchange and also by means other than the stock exchange during the period from 25 June 2013 to 15 May 2018.

Details on the disposal programme

Based on the authorisation granted by the General Meeting of 16 May 2013 (valid until 15 May 2018) for the purchase of own shares in accordance with section 65 (1) (8) of the Stock Corporation Act (AktG), the Management Board of Erste Group Bank AG, subject to the approval of the Supervisory Board, took the decision to prolong the already existing framework programme for the envisaged disposal of Erste Group Bank AG shares by the savings banks considered associated companies within the meaning of section 228 (3) of the Austrian Commercial Code and whose shares in Erste Group Bank AG are thus considered own shares within the meaning of section 65 of the AktG.

1. Day on which the authorisation was granted by the General Meeting: 16 May 2013

2. Day and mode of publication of this resolution by the General Meeting: publication on 17 May 2013 via electronic information dissemination systems in accordance with section 82 (8) Austrian Stock Exchange Act (BörseG)

3. Start and expected duration of the programme for the disposal of own shares: 25 June 2013 to 15 May 2018

4. Class of shares to which the shares to be sold belong: voting no-par value bearer shares (ordinary shares) in Erste Group Bank AG

5. Volume to be sold (only from savings banks that are to be considered associated companies of Erste Group Bank AG):

In total 5,168,549 shares

Share capital percentage of shares to be sold: 1.3%

6. Highest and lowest price to be achieved per share: disposal on the stock exchange and also by means other than the stock exchange at the applicable stock exchange rate, not below a price of EUR 2 per share however

7. Mode and purpose of sale of own shares: on the stock exchange and also by means other than the stock exchange in the form of a contribution to Sparkassen Beteiligungs GmbH & Co KG with the aim of strengthening the group structure and the co-operation with the savings banks

8. Effects of the disposal programme on the listing of Erste Group Bank AG-shares: none

9. Number and distribution of share options to be granted or already granted to employees, senior staff and the individual board members in the company or in an associated company, stating the number of purchasable shares, if the issuer is planning to grant share options within the deadline defined under
section 65 (1) (8) or has already done so: 0 (nil)

Any changes to the disposal programme and the transactions implemented shall be published on the Erste Group Bank AG website at http://www.erstegroup.com/en/Investors in compliance with section 5 (4) Publication Ordinance (VeröffentlichungsVO).

The resolution has no effect on any trading of shares in Erste Group Bank AG in securities trading (authorisation pursuant to section 65 (1) (7) AktG).

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Emitter:	Erste Group Bank AG Milchgasse 1 1010 Wien Austria
Contact Person:	Thomas Sommerauer/Gerald Krames
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 (Official Trade)