Core status within Erste Group Bank AG. Largest Czech bank by loans and deposits size, with a No. 1 position in retail. Strong capital position. Large and stable retail deposit base that underpins a sound funding profile. Geographic concentration risk in the Czech Republic. Slightly higher credit risk profile than peers. Earnings decline because of low interest rates. The negative outlook on Czech bank Ceska Sporitelna (CS) mirrors that on Erste Group Bank AG (Erste; A/Negative/A-1), based on Standard&Poor's Ratings Services' view of CS' status as a "core" subsidiary, under its criteria. As a result, and as long as we continue to view CS as a core subsidiary, an upgrade or downgrade of Erste would prompt a similar
