Banking assets in Central and Eastern Europe exceed EUR 1 trillion for the first time in history

WARSAW, Poland - July 11, 2013 - PRLog -- Despite some structural challenges in Hungary and Slovenia, banking sectors in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) recorded healthy growth in 2012. The key metrics - banking assets in CEE15 increased by almost 5% to a total of EUR 1039 billion at the end of 2012 says Marcin Mazurek, Director of Inteliace Research, a consultancy, while presenting their latest report TOP200 banks in CEE 2013.

CEE banking markets continue to be dominated by foreign investors with: UniCredit, Erste, Raiffeisen, KBC and SG controlling a combined 34% of total banking assets in the region.  The TOP200 CEE  league table is led by two Polish banks: PKO Bank Polski (assets of EUR 46.7 billion) and Bank Pekao (assets of EUR 36.0 billion), followed by the Czech major bank ČSOB (assets of EUR 32.8 billion). In 2012, Poland reinforced its position as the single largest banking market in the region, with assets worth EUR 331 billion and a 32% regional share.

The most rapid growth in assets was recorded in Poland and in peripheral countries like Albania, Macedonia, while the highest drop in assets occurred in Hungary and Slovenia, which was an effect of both structural problems and unfavourable regulatory and fiscal environments.  

Banking assets per capita in CEE15 countries (as of 2012, in thousand EUR)

Slovenia

22.6

Czech Republic

18.0

Estonia

14.4

Latvia

14.2

Croatia

12.3

Slovakia

11.0

Hungary

10.8

Poland

8.7

Lithuania

7.1

Bulgaria

5.8

Romania

3.9

Serbia

3.7

Macedonia

3.3

BiH

3.2

Albania

2.7

The outlook for most CEE banking markets remains positive despite the economic slowdown.  The level of financial intermediation across CEE is still extremely low if compared to Western Europe and the gap is expected to narrow gradually. Nevertheless, factors like hostile fiscal policy (case Hungary) or economic rebalancing (case Slovenia) are temporarily weighing on selected countries.  

For more information on recent developments in CEE banking sectors, please refer to the publication "Top 200 banks in Central and Eastern Europe/CEE 2013," available at: http://www.inteliace.com/en/publications.php

ABOUT INTELIACE RESEARCH

Inteliace Research is an independent consulting company that focuses on the financial markets in Central and Eastern Europe. Inteliace Research specializes in management consulting and custom research services, including market entry strategy, product launch, performance, and benchmarking analysis.

During 2005–2013, Inteliace Research provided its products and services to over 60 clients, including major CEE banks and several "The Banker" top world banks. To learn more about the company, visit Inteliace Research’s webpage: www.inteliace.com.