PTA-PVR

Erste Group Bank AG: Change of significant voting right thresholds

Holding announcement according to article 93 section 2 BörseG

Vienna (pta021/07.01.2016/17:35) - Announcement pursuant to sec. 93 Austrian Stock Exchange Act in connection with sec. 91 art. 1 Austrian Stock Exchange Act - Change of significant voting right thresholds

Erste Group Bank AG informs the public pursuant to sec. 93 Austrian Stock Exchange Act in connection with sec. 91 art. 1 Austrian Stock Exchange Act that BlackRock, Inc., Wilmington, DE, United States of America, as of 6 January 2016 held 17,097,478 or 3.97% of voting rights attached to shares (previously 4.04%) and 658,563 or 0.15% of voting rights through financial instruments (previously 0.14%) in Erste Group Bank AG (rounded stake in share capital of 4.13% compared to previously 4.19%), thus combined still more than 4% of Erste Group Bank AG´s share capital (EUR 859,600,000 divided into 429,800,000 voting no-par value bearer shares - ordinary shares).

Additional details as per esma notification (see enclosed pdf)

Financial Instruments according to Art. 13(1)(a) of Directive 2004/109/EC Type of financial Instrument, Expiration date, Exercise/ Conversion Period, Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/ converted, % of voting rights Depositary Receipt, N/A, N/A, 26,822, 0.00% Securities Lent, N/A, N/A, 3,842, 0.00% SUBTOTAL 30,664 0.00%

Financial Instruments with similar economic effect according to Art. 13(1)(b) of Directive 2004/109/EC Type of financial Instrument, Expiration date, Exercise/ Conversion Period, Physical or cash Settlement, Number of voting right,s % of voting rights CFD, N/A, N/A, Cash, 593,899, 0.13% Total Return Swap, 22.06.2016, N/A, Cas,h 34,000, 0.00% SUBTOTAL 627,899 0.14%

Full chain of controlled undertakings starting with the ultimate controlling natural person or legal entity:

Name % of voting rights if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold % of voting rights through financial instruments if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold (no data), Total of both if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold BlackRock, Inc. BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. BlackRock International Holdings, Inc. BR Jersey International Holdings L.P. BlackRock Group Limited BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited Below 4%