Michaela Bauer to Become CEO of Slovenská sporiteľňa in March 2026

Michaela Bauer joins from ČSOB and KBC Group, succeeding Peter Krutil

Michaela Bauer brings extensive experience from Československá obchodní banka (ČSOB) Czech Republic and KBC Group, where she served as a Member of the Board of Directors at ČSOB Czech Republic and as Senior General Manager at KBC Group. In these roles, she led strategic initiatives that transformed customer engagement and drove innovation across digital banking, operations, and technology.

Alexandra Habeler-Drabek, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of Slovenská sporiteľňa, commented: “We are delighted about Michaela Bauer’s upcoming arrival as Slovenská sporiteľňa’s new CEO and I very much look forward to welcoming her at Erste Group next year. She is an outstanding leader with deep expertise across all areas of banking. Michaela’s experience spans both retail and corporate banking, and she has a strong track record in operations, where she has implemented cutting-edge technologies and fostered innovation. I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to Peter Krutil for transforming Slovenská sporiteľňa into one of the most successful banks in the country and for his commitment in ensuring a seamless transition.”

Michaela Bauer has built an impressive career over the past 24 years within ČSOB and KBC, holding senior leadership positions across a broad range of areas and subsidiaries.

Her expertise spans corporate and retail distribution, corporate and mortgage lending, consumer finance, payment solutions, IT, data, digital channels, AI deployment, start-up investments, shared services, and operations. Since 2018, she has served as Chief Innovation Officer for KBC in the Czech Republic, and in 2021, she was appointed to the Board of Directors of Československá obchodní banka. Michaela is privately involved in several leading non-profit organizations in the Czech market, focusing on reskilling women for careers in technology and promoting female financial health and independence. Michaela studied at the University of Economics in Prague and holds a CEMS Master’s degree in International Management from Hochschule St. Gallen. She maintains close ties with her alma mater, working to bridge academia and business.

Slovenská sporiteľňa, a.s. is the largest commercial bank in Slovakia, with a legacy of savings services dating back to the early 19th century. As a member of Erste Group, the bank offers a full spectrum of financial products and services, including current accounts, term deposits, loans, payment systems, and modern electronic banking. With the country’s largest branch network and leading market share in deposits, Slovenská sporiteľňa is a pioneer in innovation. The bank remains committed to digital transformation and sustainability, offering paperless services and a seamless user experience across its operations.