Erste Group raised its 2026 loan-volume target to above €290 billion and expects net interest income growth of more than 6%, excluding Poland, compared with about 5% previously. The Austrian lender's third-quarter net profit rose 24.5% year-on-year to €1.121 billion, or about €1.12 billion, exceeding analysts' average forecast of €1.08 billion. Higher lending and deposit volumes supported net interest and fee income, while strong customer growth contributed to the performance. Erste Group plans to launch a tender offer on Monday to increase its stake in Erste Bank Polska by up to 26%; the subscription period is scheduled to begin the following day. The group currently owns 49% of the Polish bank, which is Poland's third-largest bank by assets and one of its most profitable lenders, after acquiring the shares from Santander earlier in 2026. For the combined group, Erste expects 2026 reported net profit above €4 billion, return on tangible equity above 20%, earnings-per-share growth above 20% based on adjusted 2025 net profit, net interest income above €11 billion, a cost-to-income ratio below 45%, and net customer loans above €290 billion across eight core markets. Loan growth in established core markets is expected at 6% to 8%. Net profit for the first nine months rose 20.6% to €3.095 billion. Geopolitical, economic and regulatory developments remain risks to the outlook.