The articles of association of the “erste Oesterreichische Spar-Casse” date back to 1819. They state: “No one, regardless of age, gender, status or nationality, is excluded from the benefits which the savings bank will offer to every depositor.” The notion of being a “bank for everyone” was a revolutionary one at the time. And this was not to remain the only pioneering deed of the Erste. This book tells the story of the Erste Group and considers a number of issues which are just as relevant today as they were in the past – social insurance and individual responsibility, dealing with financial crises, the future of banking and the development of Central Europe.