Yesterday, Erste Bank CEO A. Treichl said that Erste should outperform many western European banks in 2003 due to the high-growth projections of central European economies in which Erste operates, the Czech Press Agency reports. He also emphasized that Erste 2002 net profit will exceed the 2001 level (EUR 223 mil.); we expect 14% growth. Mr. Treichel added that the bank has no imminent plans for any further acquisitions in the central and east European region. Neutral.
Jan Hajek