Erste Group posts net profit of EUR 483.5 million in 2012; improves core tier 1 ratio to 11.2%

...Net interest income declined to EUR 5,235.3 million in 2012 (2011: EUR 5,569.0 million), which was mainly due to the economic environment and the subdued credit demand as well as the continuing reduction of non-core assets. Net fee and commission income decreased from EUR 1,787.2 million to EUR 1,720.8 million due to weaker lending and securities business. At EUR 273.4 million, the net trading result was significantly higher than in the previous year (EUR 122.3 million). • Operating income totalled EUR 7,229.5 million (-3.3% versus 2011: EUR 7,478.5 million). Strict cost management reduced general administrative expenses by 2.4% from EUR 3,850.9 million to EUR 3,756.7 million in 2012. This led to an operating result of EUR 3,472.8 million (2011: EUR 3,627.6 million). The cost/income ratio was stable at 52.0% (2011: 51.5%).