Erste Group Junior Trainee Programme Yearbook 2010 – 2011

Erste Group
Junior Trainee Programme
Yearbook 2010 – 2011
Erste School of Banking and Finance

Index
Preface 05
Erste School of Finance and Banking 07
Group Junior Trainee Programme 08
Alumni Club 16
Trainee Testimonials 18
Trainees
Danilo Begović 20
Antonius Burger-Scheidlin 20
Olga Cherkay 21
Franz Derler 21
Helena Dlabačová 22
Lekha Geevarughese 22
Georg Golds 23
Elena Monica Grama 23
Vanja Ivancevic 24
Florian Klemm 24
Simona Lucaci 25
Nenad Misic Spaic 25
Carmencita Julia Nader 26
Kacper Jan Pajak 26
Stefan Rekelj 27
Christoph Scholler 27
Martin Sejkora 28
Thomas Syrowatka 28
Tomáš Torba 29
Péter Varga 29
Julian Verocai 30
Dalibor Vučić 30
Christoph Weichselbaum 31
Kurt Widhalm 31
Lukáš Žilinčík 32
Programme Organization 34
3

Preface
Welcome to the Erste Group Junior Trainee
Programme 2010 – 2011.
It is a great pleasure for us to kick-off another
exciting year of the Erste Group Junior Trainee
Programme (GJTP). In order to be a success,
the programme requires excellence from
everyone involved. Erste Group will provide
access to the knowledge, experience and
infrastructure which the trainees will need in
order to excel in Erste Group. In return, Erste
Group expects the trainees to show a strong
dedication to their personal and professional
development, as well as to high performance
and a steadfast commitment to the Group.
One of the main goals of the programme
is to create and foster a diverse and widereaching
business network at Erste Group
in the coming years. This network will be
based on a solid understanding of risk
management.
Through a rigorous series of classroom and
distance learning sessions, on-the-job training,
and medium-term project work, trainees
will acquire fundamental knowledge of the
banking industry and how business in banking
should be conducted. Trainees will gain
a solid understanding of and qualification
in our core business fields, as well as the
necessary exposure for a long and successful
career within Erste Group.
This booklet provides you with information
about all the trainees, as well as a detailed
overview of the entire programme.
We wish the very best to the trainees for
the next twelve months and for their future
careers in Erste Group.
Bernhard Spalt and Gernot Mittendorfer
Sponsors of the Group Junior Trainee
Programme
5

Erste School of
Banking and Finance
Welcome to Erste School of Banking and
Finance. As the learning hub of Erste Group,
our mission is to increase the potential of
every individual employee at every level, and
to advance the Group as a whole by increasing
capabilities, encouraging the exchange of
ideas and providing opportunities for professional
and personal growth.
The core of our work is focused on building
knowledge. We begin by making sure that the
vast amount of knowledge already embedded
in the Group is shared with others and put
to good use. A majority of our curriculum is
taught by Erste Group experts and practitioners
from within our various business
departments. In addition, we actively seek
out knowledge from outside by connecting
Erste Group to universities, experts and the
best practices of other industries, thus accelerating
Erste Group’s learning curve and
business acumen.
We believe the overarching goals of education
should be to apply this knowledge toward
action and to inspire new and better ways of
doing business. On that basis, we believe that
our ultimate mission is to serve our bank’s
customers better by raising our standards of
excellence, expertise and personal talent.
To cultivate Group thinking and Group working,
we also invest in expanding the Group’s
roots in our markets. This motivates us to
foster strong business networks throughout
Erste Group and to get to know each of our
colleagues in all Group locations.
At all times, we seek to promote the diverse
learning styles of all participants, as well as
the diverse teaching styles of our lecturers.
To accomplish this, we aim to expand the
classical methods of teaching by adhering to
several key didactic principles:
• Participants and lecturers are peers,
working at the same level. The traditional
hierarchy between knowledgeable teacher
and unknowing student is avoided in favour
of an open, mutual learning endeavour in
which both sides have ideas and experiences
to bring to the table so they can learn
from each other.
• Learning is transdisciplinary. We encourage
lateral thinking and being open to the
best ideas. We seek to inspire new ways of
improving our business through creativity
and thinking outside the box.
• Content is offered using both Brick and
Click methodologies, i.e., via physical
locations where people meet and learn in
person, as well as via online technologies
and tools so learning can be accessed at
any time.
• Our entire curriculum is designed to be
state-of-the-art in subject expertise, and
our teaching is conducted according to the
highest academic standards.
7

Group Junior
Trainee Programme
Central and Eastern Europe is a culturally
diverse region with a limitless amount of potential.
Erste Group aims to be the first choice
bank in this region. This is why the learning is
thorough and intense. This is truly an incredible
opportunity for the trainee to develop
both professionally and personally.
Classroom and Distance Learning
The 12 month programme includes the fundamentals
of banking, as well as deep insight
8
September
2011
September
2010
Home department
(local bank)
Workout
department
Home department
CEE country II
Partner department
& back office
Home department
CEE country I
Credit analysis
departments
Branch
On-the-job training:
Home department & Special job rotations
(domestic & international)
into the areas of risk management, corporate
banking, investment banking, and treasury
This, along with ‘soft skill’ training, which is
design to improve the trainee’s interpersonal
skills, as well as their cultural understanding
and awareness, will give them the specific
skills needed to have a successful career.
The programme’s methodology is centred on
becoming familiar with and appreciating our
diversity. It works as follows: Starting from the
Preparation & postclassroom
learning
Preparation & postclassroom
learning
Preparation & postclassroom
learning
Preparation & postclassroom
learning
Preparation
Classroom VI
& final hearings
(Vienna)
Classroom V
(Barcelona)
Classroom IV
(Kiev)
Classroom II
(Bratislava)
Classroom II
(Zagreb)
Kick-off &
Classroom I
(Prague)
Classroom & distance learning:
General business learning &
specific technical modules

home base of their local bank and supported
by a Professional Guide, trainees branch out
into different countries of our operations for
five 2-week phases of classroom learning,
plus an additional classroom phase in Barcelona.
At each location, time is dedicated not
only to gaining banking knowledge but also to
getting to know the local bank personnel and
the culture of each country.
01. Erste in a Nutshell
02. Risk Management
03. Corporate Banking
04. GCIB + EGI
05. GM
06. ORG / IT
07. Controlling
08. Corporate Finance
09. Tax and Accounting
MODULARIZED CONTENT CLASSROOM PHASE
10. Personal Skills Development Seminars
11. CEE Background and Culture
The content for the Classroom and Distance
Learning portion of the programme is modularized.
This content and when it appears
within the programme is summarized in the
following diagram.
1 2 3 4 5
9

The programme also includes an exam, given
in cooperation with the University of Vienna,
with a focus on Risk Management, Account
ing and Corporate Finance. Passing the exam
gains trainees 16 European Credit Transfer
System (ECTS ) points that can be applied
towards future studies at the Univer sity of
Vienna or other academic instituions.
During the 12 month programme, over 360
hours are spent in the classroom, with an
estimated additional 900 hours spent on
distance learning.
Lecturers and Trainers
It is one of the great merits and differentiating
characteristics of Erste School of Banking
and Finance that three-quarters of all teaching
is conducted by Erste Group‘s internal
experts. This ensures that learning is based
on real-life knowledge and practical solutions
derived from hard-earned experiences. In this
way, the wide range of our internal knowledge
and expertise is preserved, passed on and
put to good use.
10
“In my experience the
programme not only helps
to balance the cultural
differences between trainees
from different countries, it
also enables us, as senior
professionals, to exchange
information with each other,
to align our business processes
and to help the
trainees put the obtained
information into practice
during their job rotations.
We are able to confirm this
programme‘s quality when
we later meet our successful
GJTP graduates in the line of
their day-to-day business or
in task groups. We can really
see how they are working to
further develop Erste Group.”
Norbert Hlasny, Head of Group Credit Analysis,
SLSP

On-the-Job Training
The home department is where the trainees
are working most of the time and it is the
where the trainees will begin their full time
work once the programme has been completed.
In addition to the time spent in the home
department, job rotations give trainees the
opportunity to become familiar with a variety
of other areas. The following areas are the
focus of Job Rotations:
• Retail Branch
• SABINE Factory
• Back Office
• Credit Analysis
• Workout
• Partner Department
• CEE I & II
During the CEE job rotations, trainees will go
on a 3 week, international job rotation to the
same department as their home department,
within another bank in Erste Group. This is
done on a trainee by trainee basis, and the
destination is decided upon by the trainee’s
Department Head.
Trainees profit immensely from their international
experiences, as they get to know
the various banks of Erste Group and begin
to establish a network of professional colleagues
and personal friends who strengthen
their bonds.
“All trainees get to know the
various banks of Erste Group
and thereby establish their
own knowledge networks.
They will not merely profit as
individuals – we firmly believe
that this programme will help
move forward the Group as a
whole.”
“It gives the trainees the
opportunity to work and live in
an international environment
and the combination of job
rotation and learning on the
job will be a tremendously
valuable experience for all of
these lucky few”
Bernhard Spalt, Member of the Holding Board
13

Applied Knowledge
Applied Knowledge is where trainees are able
to transfer what they have learned during the
Classroom and Distance Learning Phase and
the On-the-Job Training Phase into actual,
business related results. There are 2 portions;
Project Work and a Final Hearing.
Project work is perhaps the most visible
contribution the trainees make to the Group
during their first year in the bank. Trainees
are divided into teams to work for six months
on projects provided by various business
areas. This is valuable for the organization
as a whole, as trainees can often provide a
‘fresh’ perspective on the current situation of
our operations.
Some examples of Project Work that has
been done in previous programmes are:
• Analysis of Controlling Roles and Processes
• Cooperation between Risk Management
and Workout – Best Practice
• Comparison and Benchmarking of Collateral
Recovery Processes within Erste Group
• Best Practice Model for Processes in Credit
Analysis within Erste Group
• GCIB Management Information System
Efficiency Improvement
• Comparison and Benchmarking of Risk
Adjusted Pricing (RAP) Methodology within
Erste Group
14
The Final Hearing is an evaluation at the
end of the programme, where trainees must
present and then defend their findings on
specific Erste case studies to a committee of
2nd Line managers. The challenging cases
must be prepared on short notice with limited
information.
EDUportal
In 2010, Erste School of Banking and Finance
introduced EDUportal—our Group-wide
online educational structure to complement
the classroom experience. Registered users
can log in at any time from any computer
with a web browser and immediately begin
making use of its many educational features
and tools.
EDUportal gives participants easy access to
a vast world of personal training activities.
There are course overviews, online preparation
material, exams, up-to-date agendas,
news and more. EDUportal is used throughout
the duration of the GJTP.

“The project team did a
remarkable job in gathering
and summarizing the
information needed for our
ongoing work in terms of
controlling collaboration. The
material clearly points out the
issues we have to address
and taking into consideration,
that the project team was
not comprised of controlling
experts, expectations have
been clearly exceeded.
The project work presented
will be widely used by the
controlling community to
define its role in the Group
and to streamline and
harmonize throughout the
Group.”
Bernd Mittermair, Head of Group
Performance Office, Erste Group Bank AG
15

GJTP Alumni Club
After the first GJTP was completed in 2009,
the graduates of that programme establish
the GJTP Alumni Club, which is open for all
graduates of the GJTP. This community grows
each year and currently has more than 60
members.
The objectives of the GJTP Alumni Club
are as follows:
• To promote and reinforce contacts
and information exchange between its
members on a Group wide basis
• To establish and maintain contact between
GJTP Alumni and new trainees
• To support the personal and professional
development of GJTP Alumni Members
There are GJTP Alumni Club representatives
in each of the Erste countries, as well as a
rotating presidency, with new GJTP graduates
taking over at the conclusion of their
programme.
Each country representative is available for
support when a trainee is on an international
job rotation, and they are also involved when
there is a classroom phase in their respective
country.
16
Current GJTP Alumni Club Representatives:
AUSTRIA
Michal Mesik –
GJTP Alumni Club
President
AUSTRIA
Anita Tatalovic –
GJTP Alumni Club
President
CZECH REPUBLIC
Tomáš Uhlíř

SLOVAKIA
Lukáš Novotný
HUNGARY
Gergö Gemes
CROATIA
Alen Hustić
SERBIA
Teodora Ćeranić
ROMANIA
Cristina Dana
Danatoiu
UKRAINE
Olga Yaskevich
17

Trainee Testimonials
Olivia Padilla
Group Corporate Workout
Erste Group Bank AG
GJTP 2008 – 2009
My name is Olivia Padilla and I joined Erste in
2007 after my graduation in law and with the
benefit of some working experience abroad.
I started in the restructuring department
responsible for retail clients in EBOe. I then
changed within the GJTP to the restructuring
department responsible for corporate clients.
As my educational background is not in
economics, one of the best things of the GJTP
was to dive into the economic and finance
courses and understand these topics from the
bank’s point of view. The courses and various
case studies prepared by our colleagues from
different Erste entities were especially useful.
Working with people from all the “Erste” countries
definitely broadened my mind and I am
often using the contacts I established during
the programme in my day to day work. The programme
gave me the opportunity to develop
my English and I have learnt that diversity and
having an international perspective are both
challenging but very inspiring.
18
Ivana Gagic
Risk Management
Erste Bank Serbia
GJTP 2008 – 2009
After the completion of the programme, the
different learning environments within the
GJTP provided me with a great number of
benefits to use in my day-to-day work in Erste
Bank Serbia. I was promoted to the position
of Risk Manager for Group Large Corporate
(GLC), which showed that my superiors had
a great deal of trust in my abilities. With this
also came a higher set of expectations and
responsibilities.
For me, one thing is clear – The GJTP equips
trainees with the skills and experiences to
become successful – however, its up to the
individual whether they can take advantage
of these opportunities or not. During my
three-year career, I have constantly tried to
use all these opportunities for motivation and
further development.
I found the GJTP to be an invaluable experience
and would encourage anyone who is
interested in a dynamic career to apply.

Trainees
2010 –2011
The Trainees A – Z
GJTP 2010 – 2011

Danilo Begović
from Montenegro
Date of birth: 17.02.1981
Nationality: Montenegrin
Bank: Erste Bank AD Podgorica,
Montenegro
Department: Corporate
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
20
University of Economics,
Podgorica, Montenegro
(Economics)
“In the past time I have spent in the Erste
bank, I have realized that the Erste bank is
actually as a human being since on daily
basis puts a lot of efforts to improve itself,
continuously come closer to others and
pulls out the best for itself, it`s people
and society to whom dedicates loyalty and
commitment, helping of achievement and
important social and cultural principles and
objectives.”
Antonius Burger-Scheidlin
from Austria
Date of birth: 27.12.1984
Nationality: Austrian
Bank: Erste Group Bank AG
Department: Corporate Sales
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
University of Sunderland
(International Business)
Danube University Krems
“The The Erste Group Bank AG offers an enorenormous growth potential and an attractive
scope for development for its employees.
Being part of this historical expansion
course and the challenge of this particular
difficult period, due to the financial crisis,
make it special to work at this unique
institution.”

Olga Cherkay
from Ukraine
Date of birth: 28.09.1985
Nationality: Ukrainian
Bank: Erste Bank Ukraine
Department: Corporate Workout
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
Kyiv Taras Shevchenko National
University (Law)
“At present, one of the main achievements
of the bank is the effective selection of a
high quality team. Significantly, that the
bank has cohesive group of professionals
and likeminded people, with its own corporate
traditions and culture.“
Franz Derler
from Austria
Date of birth: 11.10.1985
Nationality: Austrian
Bank: Erste Group Bank AG
Department: Group Large Corporates
Banking (GLC Industry &
Business Development)
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
FH Joanneum Graz
(Management Internationaler
Geschäftsprozesse)
University of Liechtenstein
(Banking & Financial
Management)
“Working for Erste Group is an outstanding
experience as the bank has very ambitious
economic targets while at the same time
it is supporting important social initiatives
through the Erste foundation.”
21

Helena Dlabačová
from Czech Republic
Date of birth: 22.10.1983
Nationality: Czech
Bank: Ceská sporitelna, a.s.
Department: Group Large Corporates
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
22
Economics University in
Prague (National Economics)
“Erste Bank is unique because of its
savings bank history. In all Erste regions
you cannot find another bank with a
broader network of branches and ATMs.
Erste bank combines comfortable retail
banking services for its retail costumers
with efficient competitive services for
its top level corporate clients providing
a full spectrum of services in a single
organisation.”
Lekha Geevarughese
from Austria
Date of birth: 27.11.1984
Nationality: Austrian
Bank: Erste Group Bank AG
Department: Institutional Equity Sales
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
Fachhochschule Wiener
Neustadt
University of Vienna (Investments,
Corporate Finance)
“Erste Group, as one of the largest financial
service providers in Central and Eastern
Europe, provides cultural diversity and
a dynamic working environment for the
employees. Especially the strong and
clear focus on the retail and SME banking
charac terises Erste Group. I am proud to be
a part of it.“

Georg Golds
from Austria
Date of birth: 07.10.1982
Nationality: Austrian
Bank: Erste Group Bank AG
Department: Group Large Corporates
Austria
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
Karl-Franzens Universität
Graz (Financial and Industrial
Management)
“To work at Erste means working with
tradition. A tradition that is reaching back
over the centuries and is going to persist.
Tradition that is not backwards oriented
but looking to the future and interested in
the prosperity of the CEE regions and its
people.”
Elena Monica Grama
from Romania
Date of birth: 13.06.1987
Nationality: Romanian
Bank: BCR
Department: Org IT
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
Academy of Economical
Sciences of Bucharest
(Statistics and Economical
Informatics)
“The people are Erste’s most valuable
asset. And being one of them is a privilege,
as working for Erste encompasses both
performance and commitment. Performance
in terms of constant support for our
development, and commitment from inside
out, from the core, to the Erste people, to
the clients.”
23

Vanja Ivancevic
from Austria
Date of birth: 05.05.1986
Nationality: Austrian
Bank: Erste Group Bank AG
Department: Group Market and Liquidity
Risk Management
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
24
University of Glasgow
(Economics)
“In a line of work where business ethics
are commonly scrutinised, the Erste Group
has shown me very clearly the importance
and emphasis it places on bringing people
together from all types of backgrounds and
cultures in the workplace in the most fair
and and positively challenging manner.”
Florian Klemm
from Austria
Date of birth: 25.05.1986
Nationality: Austrian
Bank: Erste Bank der oesterreichischen
Sparkassen AG
(EBOe)
Department: Large Corporates Austria /
Großkunden Österreich
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
Fachhochschule Wiener
Neustadt, Austria (Business
Consultancy)
“Erste Group combines tradition and a mixture
of different cultural mindsets. Due to
a long historical background in the banking
business and the focus on the CEE region,
the company provides the employees an
interesting and exciting working environment.”

Simona Lucaci
from Romania
Date of birth: 28.02.1986
Nationality: Romanian
Bank: BCR
Department: SMEs and Public Sector
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
“Dunarea de Jos” University,
Faculty of Economics,
Galatz, Romania (Financing
and Banking Management)
“I proudly work for Erste Group not
because Erste is the best bank in my
country, but mainly because Erste gave me
credit…Erste saw my potential, believed in
my strengths and invested in me…There
is no greater proof that Erste Group cherishes
his people.
What makes Erste unique? Even though it
may seem a stereotype, I truly believe it –
Erste people make Erste Group unique.”
Nenad Misic Spaic
from Spain
Date of birth: 20.09.1979
Nationality: Spanish
Bank: La Caixa
Department: Foreign Trade Department
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
University of Lleida
Diplomatic School of Spain,
Madrid (International Studies)
The Complutense University
of Madrid (International Law
and Economics)
“Finding out much more about the Erste
Group structure, about successful international
expansion and especially working
hand in hand with my Erste colleagues, was
definitely my motivation to join the Group
Junior Trainee Programme.”
25

Carmencita Julia Nader
from Austria
Date of birth: 03.01.1985
Nationality: Austrian
Bank: Erste Group Bank AG
Department: Treasury & Municipalities
Sales
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
26
Vienna University of
Economics and Business
(Economics)
“Erste provides its employees with education,
active participation and stability. Thus,
it not only proves to be a reliable partner
for clients; moreover, among all stakeholders,
Erste supports seminal ideas while
preserving traditional best-practice.”
Kacper Jan Pajak
from Poland
Date of birth: 08.03.1983
Nationality: Polish
Bank: Erste Group Bank AG
Department: Investment Banking, M&A
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
Vienna University (International
Business Administration:
Banking, Investement
Analysis)
Cass Business School
“I think what is most unique about Erste, is
the great team spirit amongst employees.
Already from the first day at Erste one has
a feeling of being a part of transnational
team being always ready to work together.”

Stefan Rekelj
from Austria
Date of birth: 11.08.1984
Nationality: Austrian
Bank: Erste Group Bank AG
Department: Group Debt Capital Markets
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
“ERSTE IS TRUST:
E = Expertise
R = Relationship
S = Solution
T = Team Work
© E = Central Eastern
Europe
Vienna University of
Economics and Business
(International Business
Administration)
I = Internationality
S = Sustainability
T = Transparency
R = Respect
U = Understanding
S = Security
T = Tailor-Made”
Christoph Scholler
from Austria
Date of birth: 02.05.1985
Nationality: Austrian
Bank: Erste Group Bank AG
Department: Erste School of Banking and
Finance
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
Vienna University of
Economics and Business
(Management Development,
International Organizational
Behavior)
“Working for Erste Group is in many ways
unique. A company’s most valuable assets
are its people and that is where Erste makes
the difference. The highly motivating work
environment, the enriching cultural diversity
of the employees, the professionalism and
the overall teamwork are only a few of the
positive features of the Erste Group.”
27

Martin Sejkora
from Austria
Date of birth: 11.09.1984
Nationality: Austrian
Bank: Erste Group Bank AG
Department: Group Real Estate
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
28
FH Kufstein, Austria (International
Business)
University of St. Gallen,
Swiss (Banking & Finance)
“Working at Erste Group means working
in one of the most interesting banks in
Europe. It is the only bank in the region
that is almost entirely focussed on its core
business, and therefore possesses more
knowledge about the market than any
competitor.”
Thomas Syrowatka
from Austria
Date of birth: 18.08.1983
Nationality: Austrian
Bank: Erste Group Bank AG
Department: Capital Markets Trading
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
Vienna University of Economics
and Business (Finance)
“Erste sees their employees as their most
valuable assets and therefore puts a lot of
effort and resources into the development
of their workforce.”

Tomáš Torba
from Slovakia
Date of birth: 05.05.1986
Nationality: Slovak
Bank: Slovenská Sporiteľňa a.s.
Department: Retail Credit Risk Management
(RCRM) - private
individuals
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
Matej Bel University in
Banska Bystrica (Finance,
Banking and Investment)
“From my point of view, working in Erste
Group is unique thanks to three main attributes
which cannot be replicated. Firstly,
it is unique social identity built during its
presence in CEE region, secondly its most
valuable intangible assets i.e. motivating
people working for this institution for long
years. And finally it is a trainee programme
in which those intangibles are created
and are expected to keep uniqueness in
future.”
Péter Varga
from Hungary
Date of birth: 25.04.1986
Nationality: Hungarian
Bank: Erste Bank Hungary Zrt.
Department: Corporate Risk Management
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
Budapest Business School
(International Business
Economics)
“From the very first day of my carrier at Erste
Group I feel fully involved and supported in
many ways in my development. Joining the
bank was one of the best decisions in my
life.”
29

Julian Verocai
from Austria
Date of birth: 25.04.1986
Nationality: Austrian
Bank: Immorent AG
Department: Large Corporates International
Finance
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
30
Vienna University of Economics
and Business (Finance
and Entrepreneurship)
“It’s the people who make the GJTP a
unique experience. I’m convinced that, that
this experience has an enormous value not
only for my future career but also for my
personal development.“
Dalibor Vučić
from Serbia
Date of birth: 12.09.1985
Nationality: Serbian
Bank: Erste Bank ad Novi Sad
Department: Credit Risk Management
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
University of Novi Sad
(Industrial Engineering and
Management)
“Taking in consideration size and diversity,
I can say that working for Erste Bank is
both great pleasure and great challenge.
It is system that reconciles those diversities
making them comparative advantages
which is also confirmed with ‘The’ best
bank in central and eastern Europe in
2010 award.”

Christoph Weichselbaum
from Austria
Date of birth: 02.05.1987
Nationality: Austrian
Bank: Erste Group Bank AG
Department: Group Corporate and Acquisition
Finance
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
Vienna University of Economics
and Business (International
Business)
“Erste takes its role in society more serious
than any other bank. This state of mind is
shared by every employee of the Bank, and
creates a unique culture that is valued and
rewarded by its customers.”
Kurt Widhalm
from Austria
Date of birth: 15.01.1986
Nationality: Austrian
Bank: Immorent AG
Department: Risk Management
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
Vienna University of Economics
and Business (Banking,
Insurance and Risk Management)
“A spirit about being „Erste“ is spread
among 55,000 employees who are all working
for the same goal of satisfying our customers.
To work in this environment is what
motivates me for work everyday and makes
me a proud part of the Erste Group spirit.”
31

Lukáš Žilinčík
from Slovakia
Date of birth: 18.10.1986
Nationality: Slovak
Bank: Slovenská Sporiteľňa a.s.
Department: Group Large Corporates
Education/
University:
Erste and Me:
32
University of Economics,
Bratislava (Management and
Economic Valuation)
Rotterdam School of Management
“Motivation, teamwork and common route
to success regardless of age, background
and nationality characterize the spirit in
world of Erste. Commitment to people and
their needs makes this bank different and
unique in industry of banking and finance.”

“Individual commitment to a
group effort – that is what makes
a team work, a company work,
a society work, a civilization work.”
Vince Lombardi
33

Programme Organization
Sponsors
Bernhard Spalt
Gernot Mittendorfer
Steering Committee
Michael Beitz
Sebastian Erich
Karl-Heinz Fellinger
Andreas Huber
Andreas Müller
Peter Nemschak
Helmut Rauth
Martin Rohmann
Peter Weiss
Programme Coach
Karl-Heinz Fellinger
34
Programme Manager
Nicholas Lobkowicz
Programme Team
Berenice Hofstaedter
Nikola Jovanovic
Programme Support
Elena Belkina
Martin Djablik
Johanna Hummer
Loredana Ichim
Martina Košičiarová
Tereza Pacovská
Sonja Remetic
Danijela Sobocanec
Adrienn Szenasi

Impressum:
Erste Group
Erste School of Banking and Finance
Graben 21, A-1010 Vienna
www.erstegroup.com
www.erstegroup.com