The Wall Street Journal

Santander to Sell Poland Assets to Austria’s Erste Group for $7.9 Billion

Erste said the acquisition significantly expands its reach in Central and Eastern Europe

Santander Bank Polska branch in the centre of Warsaw.
Santander Bank Polska branch in the centre of Warsaw. Photo: kacper pempel/Reuters

Banco Santander agreed to sell most of its Polish assets to Austria’s Erste Group Bank for 7 billion euros ($7.91 billion), continuing a wave of dealmaking among European lenders.

The deal means Spain’s Santander, the biggest bank in the eurozone by market value, largely exits one of its smaller markets, while Vienna-based Erste bulks up in Central and Eastern Europe.

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