Fitch affirmed the Erste Bank long-term, short-term, and individual ratings at A, F1, and B/C respectively yesterday. The outlook is stable. The rating affirmation reflects Erste's satisfactory and sustainable profitability and improved, though not strong, capitalization (just adequate in view of its risk profile, Fitch said). It has also considered the bank's weaker reserve coverage in its Austrian loan book and exposure to the CE region.
Tomáš Gatěk, Patria Finance