Erste's Jan-Sept net profit in Croatia falls sharply

Net interest income from the retail and SME business decreased to 191.8 million euro from 194.7 million euro in the first nine months of 2011 although it remained unchanged in currency-adjusted terms, Erste said in a press release.

Operating expenses were down by 6.0% from 108.3 million euro in the first nine months of 2011 to 101.8 million euro in the first nine months of 2012.

Return on equity was 7.6% versus 19.6% in the first nine months of 2011.

($=0.7729 euro)