„We are pleased by the continuation of the trends of positive business results in the first quarter of this year, which represent a strong indicator of stability of our business model and the strategy of long-term, sustainable, successful business on the Croatian market. We recorded a healthy impulse of new lending, especially in the retail segment, while in the corporate sector we also recorded stable trends of demand and a moderate growth in loan portfolio", pointed out Christoph Schoefboeck, Chief Executive Officer at Erste&Steiermärkische Bank d.d. (“the Bank”), when commenting the business activity of the 1Q in 2024. “By issuing the inaugural green bond, we once again confirmed our position as the most active non-government bond issuer in Croatia. We will use the funds raised to encourage green investments and projects, in accordance with our orientation towards the implementation of ESG criteria in our own business and the entire value chain", Schoefboeck added and concluded: “With a strong capital position, high level of liquidity, highest rating from the rating agencies (A-, Fitch Ratings, 2023) among banks and other companies on the domestic market, I am confident that we will further strengthen our position in the rest of the year and justify the high degree of trust of our clients, while providing an adequate impulse to further growth and development of the Croatian economy as a whole."
According to an unconsolidated financial report, which includes the results of the Bank excluding subsidiaries, the net profit in Q1 2024 amounted to EUR 58 million, up 9.4% compared to EUR 53 million in the same period of 2023. The increase in net profit is the result of an improved operating result, which primarily results from an increase in revenue from regular business operations, i.e. the increase of volume of new lending, the increase of payment transactions, the continuation of positive trends in risk costs' segment and, in part, the growth of the market interest rates. Although in a smaller proportion compared to the growth of revenue, the cost component also recorded an increase, primarily due to the increase of employee costs, i.e., investment into employees.
Net interest income rose by 16.3%, from EUR 80 million in Q1 2023 to EUR 93 million in the same period this year, while net fee and commission income grew by 10.0%, from EUR 20 million in Q1 2023 to EUR 22 million in 2024. Net trading and fair value result amounted to EUR 4 million in Q1 2024, witho no changes compared to the same period in 2023.
According to an unconsolidated financial report, which includes the results of the Bank excluding subsidiaries, the net profit in Q1 2024 amounted to EUR 58 million, up 9.4% compared to EUR 53 million in the same period of 2023. The increase in net profit is the result of an improved operating result, which primarily results from an increase in revenue from regular business operations, i.e. the increase of volume of new lending, the increase of payment transactions, the continuation of positive trends in risk costs' segment and, in part, the growth of the market interest rates. Although in a smaller proportion compared to the growth of revenue, the cost component also recorded an increase, primarily due to the increase of employee costs, i.e., investment into employees.
Net interest income rose by 16.3%, from EUR 80 million in Q1 2023 to EUR 93 million in the same period this year, while net fee and commission income grew by 10.0%, from EUR 20 million in Q1 2023 to EUR 22 million in 2024. Net trading and fair value result amounted to EUR 4 million in Q1 2024, witho no changes compared to the same period in 2023.
The Bank's total assets at the end of March 2024 amounted to EUR 13.5 billion, up 1.5% compared to the end of 2023 when they amounted to EUR 13.3 billion. Total loans to customers as of 31 March 2024 amounted to EUR 8.0 billion, up 2.6% compared to the EUR 7.8 billion at the end of 2023. Total deposits of the Bank's customers as of 31 March 2024 amounted to EUR 10.5 billion, down 2.8% compared to the end of 2023 when they amounted to EUR 10.8 billion. The decrease in deposits in the first quarter of 2024 is the result of the expected and anticipated partial shifting of retail deposits into alternative forms of investing available on the market, dominantly into treasury bills issued by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Croatia, as well as investement funds of Erste Asset Management’s.
EBC Group's1 net profit after minority interests amounted to EUR 65 million in Q1 2024, up 8.3% compared to EUR 60 million in Q1 2023. EBC Group's net interest income amounted to EUR 108 million, up 16.1% compared to EUR 93 million in Q1 2023. Net fee and commission income amounted to EUR 31 million, 10.7% more compared to EUR 28 million in Q1 2023. Net trading and fair value result amounted to EUR 4 million in Q1 2024, with no changes compared to the same period in 2023.
The Bank's total assets at the end of March 2024 amounted to EUR 13.5 billion, up 1.5% compared to the end of 2023 when they amounted to EUR 13.3 billion. Total loans to customers as of 31 March 2024 amounted to EUR 8.0 billion, up 2.6% compared to the EUR 7.8 billion at the end of 2023. Total deposits of the Bank's customers as of 31 March 2024 amounted to EUR 10.5 billion, down 2.8% compared to the end of 2023 when they amounted to EUR 10.8 billion. The decrease in deposits in the first quarter of 2024 is the result of the expected and anticipated partial shifting of retail deposits into alternative forms of investing available on the market, dominantly into treasury bills issued by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Croatia, as well as investement funds of Erste Asset Management’s.
EBC Group's1 net profit after minority interests amounted to EUR 65 million in Q1 2024, up 8.3% compared to EUR 60 million in Q1 2023. EBC Group's net interest income amounted to EUR 108 million, up 16.1% compared to EUR 93 million in Q1 2023. Net fee and commission income amounted to EUR 31 million, 10.7% more compared to EUR 28 million in Q1 2023. Net trading and fair value result amounted to EUR 4 million in Q1 2024, with no changes compared to the same period in 2023.
EBC Group’s total assets at the end of March 2024 amounted to EUR 15.0 billion, up 1.4% compared to the end of 2023 when they amounted to EUR 14.8 billion. Total loans to customers as of 31 March 2024 amounted to EUR 8.6 billion, 1.2% more compared to the end of 2023 when they amounted to EUR 8.5 billion. Total deposits of EBC Group's customers as of 31 March 2024 amounted to EUR 11.1 billion, down 2.6% compared to the end of 2023 when they amounted to EUR 11.4 billion.
In January of this year, Erste Bank issued the inaugural so-called green "preferred senior" bond on the international capital market, in the total amount of EUR 400 million. The bond was issued in a green format under the Erste Group Sustainable Finance Framework and is the first green bond issue of any issuer in the Republic of Croatia. This issue was realised in order to fulfil the MREL requirement (Minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities), as an integral part of the EU regulatory framework, and the funds raised will help further improve the diversification of the Bank's funding sources, while being used to promote green and sustainable investments and projects. It is important to note that this is the eighth issue of Erste Bank bonds in the domestic and international capital markets and with this the Bank has once again confirmed its position as the most active non-government bond issuer in Croatia.
1 EBC Group’s consolidated financial statement includes the following subsidiaries in addition to Erste Bank Croatia: Erste Nekretnine d.o.o., Erste&Steiermärkische S-Leasing d.o.o, Erste Bank a.d., Podgorica, Erste Card Club and Izbor Nekretnina d.o.o.