PTA-CMS

Erste Group Bank AG: Framework programme for Erste Group share transactions by savings banks of the Haftungsverbund

Announcement according to article 82 section 9 BörseG

Wien (pta026/26.05.2015/17:35) - The Haftungsverbund regulates the co-operation of the Austrian savings banks and provides the legal framework for all savings banks of the Haftungsverbund to be consolidated in Erste Group's financial statements, as defined by section 59 of the Austrian Banking Act (BWG).

The Haftungsverbund agreement allows Erste Group Bank AG to exercise control over all savings banks of the Haftungsverbund, which are therefore considered associated companies within the scope of section 228 (3) 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.

Based on the authorisation granted by the General Meeting of 12 May 2015 for the purchase of own shares in accordance with section 65 (1 no. 8, 1a, 1b) of the Stock Corporation Act (AktG), on 26 May 2015 the management board of Erste Group Bank AG, subject to the approval of the supervisory board, adopted the resolution on the framework programme for the envisaged disposal and purchase of Erste Group Bank AG shares by the savings banks considered associated companies within the meaning of section 228 (3) UGB and whose shares in Erste Group Bank AG are thus considered own shares within the meaning of section 65 of the AktG.

According to this resolution, up to 10,000,000 shares of Erste Group (2.33% of the share capital) may be sold under the disposal programme during the period from 15 June 2015 to 11 May 2020, and up to 10,000,000 shares of Erste Group may be bought under the purchase programme during the period from 15 June 2015 to 11 November 2017.

Details on the disposal programme

1. Day on which the authorisation was granted by the General Meeting: 12 May 2015

2. Day and mode of publication of this resolution by the General Meeting: publication on 13 May 2015 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: 15 June 2015 to 11 May 2020

4. Class of shares: voting no-par value bearer shares (ordinary shares) in Erste Group Bank AG