Erste Group Bank AG: Announcement pursuant to sec. 93 BörseG (Austrian Stock Exchange Act)

Vienna (pta016/10.07.2013/12:00 UTC+2) In accordance with sec. 93 (2) BörseG, Erste Group hereby informs that the direct and indirect percentage of voting rights held by DIE ERSTE österreichische Spar-Casse Privatstiftung ("Foundation") in Erste Group Bank AG fell to 24.24% of the post-capital increase number of 429,800,000 voting rights, thus below 25%, as of 3 July 2013. In total, the Foundation holds 104,177,433 voting rights or shares, respectively (thereof 68,364,034 directly and 35,813,399 indirectly) in Erste Group Bank AG.

The body text of the notification of the Foundation reads as follows:

In accordance with sec. 92 para 1 (7) BörseG we herewith notify, that the direct and indirect percentage of voting rights in Erste Group Bank AG ("Erste Group") held by DIE ERSTE österreichische Spar-Casse Privatstiftung (die "Stiftung") fell to 24.2 % and thus below 25%on 3 July 2013 due to the capital increase of Erste Group Bank AG ("Erste Group") from 394,568,647 to 429,800,000 shares. In total, the Foundation holds 104,177,433 voting rights or shares, respectively (thereof 68,364,034 directly and 35,813,399 indirectly) in Erste Group Bank AG.

a. The Foundation is the limited partner of Sparkassen Beteiligungs GmbH & Co KG. Sparkassen Beteiligungs GmbH (FN 364092f), 100% of its capital stock is held by the Foundation, is the general partner. The shares of Erste Group Bank AG held by Sparkassen Beteiligungs GmbH & Co KG are attributable to the Foundation pursuant to sec. 92 (4) BörseG.

b. The Austrian Savings Banks are associated with Erste Group Bank AG through a cross-guarantee system (Haftungsverbund) and act jointly with the Foundation. Savings banks, in which Erste Group Bank AG holds a stake of more than 20%, are considered associated companies within the scope of sec. 228 (3) UGB in conjunction with sec. 244 (1) UGB (Austrian Commercial Code). Erste Group shares owned by these savings banks are therefore regarded as treasury shares. Participations of the Savings Banks in Erste Group Bank AG are therefore attributable to the Foundation according to sec. 92 (4) and (7) BörseG.

c. On 28 June 2013 the Foundation and Wiener Städtische Wechselseitiger Versicherungsverein - Vermögensverwaltung - Vienna Insurance Group entered into a pool agreement to syndicate their directly and indirectly held shares in Erste Group Bank AG referring to the exercise of voting rights for the election of the members of the supervisory board. The shares of Wiener Städtische Wechselseitiger Versicherungsverein - Vermögensverwaltung - Vienna Insurance Group are therefore attributable to the Foundation pursuant to sec. 92 (7) BörseG.

Including the voting rights of the legal entities listed under a), b) and c) the voting rights of the Foundation therefore amount to 24.24% and thus fell below 25%.

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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