Erste Group Bank (EBS) Q2 2026 earnings summary

Executive summary

• Record operating and net profit achieved in Q2 and H1 2026, driven by strong loan and fee growth, improved efficiency, and successful integration of Erste Bank Polska.

• Net profit for H1 2026 reached EUR 1,975 million, up 18.6% year-over-year, with return on tangible equity at 22.1%.

• Operating income and profit reached new highs, with cost/income ratio improving to 43.9%-44.4%.

• Integration of Erste Bank Polska contributed significantly to growth, with related one-off effects and costs.

• Upgraded 2026 outlook: net profit expected to surpass EUR 4 billion, with medium-term ambition to double EPS by 2030 and sustain ROTE above 20%.

Financial highlights

• Net interest income up 42.3% to EUR 5,386 million; net fee and commission income up 25.1% to EUR 1,929 million year-over-year.

• Operating income rose 40.4% to EUR 7,959 million; operating result up 49.3% to EUR 4,422 million.

• Cost/income ratio improved to 43.9%-44.4%; CET1 ratio at 15.2%.

• Quarterly net profit surpassed EUR 1 billion for the first time, with EPS at EUR 2.48.

• NPL ratio improved to 2.3%; loan/deposit ratio improved to 87.3%.

Outlook and guidance

• 2026 outlook upgraded: net profit expected above EUR 4 billion, ROTE above 20%.

• Loan growth guidance at 6-8% (excl. Poland), fee income growth 7-9%, cost/income ratio below 45%.

• Risk cost guidance for 2026 at 25-30 basis points.

• Medium-term ambition to double EPS by 2030, targeting above EUR 15 per share and ROTE above 20%.