Erste Bank said that its profit between 2006 and 2008 should rise by at least 15% yoy. Should the Tier 1 ratio be 7-7.5%, the earnings growth should push EB’s ROE over 20%. The cost/income ratio should stand at 57% by 2008 compared with the expected 63.8% in 2005. EB said that the low interest rate environment should be a challenge to the bank in the Czech Republic and Slovakia going forward. Streamlining processes and the business model should lead to a positive effect on pre-tax income of EUR 20m as of 2008.