Business Forum • 9 January, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Erste Group has completed its acquisition of a 49% controlling stake in Santander Bank Polska and a 50% stake in Santander Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych from Banco Santander for approximately €7 billion.
The transaction makes Erste Group the main shareholder with control of Poland's third-largest bank by assets.
The acquisition is expected to deliver a significant improvement in Erste Group's profitability. For 2026, the return on tangible equity is projected at approximately 19%, while earnings per share are anticipated to increase by more than 20%. This enhanced profitability will strengthen Erste Group's ability to deploy capital in a way that maximises shareholder value.
Erste Group and Santander Group are entering into a strategic alliance to better serve corporate and institutional clients across borders. Santander provides access to its international network and global product platforms, while Erste contributes its expertise in CEE. Corporate and institutional clients will benefit through a broader range of services in corporate, investment and correspondent banking, markets, cash management, export finance, as well as trade and working capital solutions.
Peter Bosek (CEO of Erste Group), Stefan Dörfler (CFO), Alexandra Habeler-Drabek (CRO), and Maurizio Poletto (Chief Platform Officer and COO) will be proposed as members of Santander Bank Polska's Supervisory Board at the Extraordinary General Meeting on 22 January 2026. The appointment of Peter Bosek as Supervisory Board Chair will also be proposed.
With Erste Group as its new main shareholder, Santander Bank Polska plans to rebrand within Q2 2026. "Erste Bank Polska" will be proposed as the new name of the bank at the EGM. After approval, the new legal name will be registered in the National Court Register in Poland.