Slovenská sporiteľňa Names Michaela Bauer as New CEO to Succeed Peter Krutil in 2026

Slovenská sporiteľňa Names Michaela Bauer as New CEO to Succeed Peter Krutil in 2026

(IN BRIEF) Slovenská sporiteľňa has appointed Michaela Bauer as its next CEO, effective 1 March 2026, pending regulatory approval. Bauer brings over two decades of leadership experience from ČSOB and KBC Group, with expertise in banking operations, innovation, and digital transformation. She succeeds Peter Krutil, who will step down at the end of March 2026. Known for her strategic vision, Bauer has driven advances in customer engagement, technology adoption, and operational efficiency, while also supporting non-profit initiatives promoting women in tech and financial literacy. The bank, Slovakia’s largest, remains committed to innovation, sustainability, and delivering a top-tier customer experience.

(PRESS RELEASE) VIENNA, 11-Aug-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Slovenská sporiteľňa has announced the appointment of Michaela Bauer as its incoming Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 March 2026, pending regulatory approval. She will succeed long-standing CEO Peter Krutil, who will step down on 31 March 2026 to pursue new professional opportunities.

Bauer joins the bank from Československá obchodní banka (ČSOB) in the Czech Republic and its parent company, KBC Group, where she most recently served as a Member of the Board of Directors at ČSOB and Senior General Manager at KBC Group. In these roles, she spearheaded strategic programs that reshaped customer engagement, accelerated digital transformation, and advanced operational efficiency through innovative technologies.

“Michaela is a highly accomplished leader whose breadth of experience across retail and corporate banking, operations, and technology makes her the ideal choice to lead Slovenská sporiteľňa into its next chapter,” said Alexandra Habeler-Drabek, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board. “Her proven ability to implement state-of-the-art solutions and foster innovation will be invaluable as we continue to transform and grow. I would also like to sincerely thank Peter Krutil for his exceptional leadership over the years, which has positioned Slovenská sporiteľňa among Slovakia’s most successful financial institutions, and for ensuring a smooth leadership transition.”

Over a 24-year career at ČSOB and KBC, Bauer has held senior leadership positions spanning corporate and retail distribution, lending, consumer finance, payments, IT, data, AI adoption, start-up investment, shared services, and operations. As KBC Czech Republic’s Chief Innovation Officer since 2018, she drove advancements in digital channels and operational modernization. Her appointment to ČSOB’s Board of Directors in 2021 further expanded her leadership role across the organization.

Outside of her corporate work, Bauer actively supports non-profit initiatives in the Czech Republic, particularly those aimed at reskilling women for technology careers and advancing female financial literacy and independence. She is a graduate of the University of Economics in Prague and holds a CEMS Master’s degree in International Management from the University of St. Gallen, maintaining close ties to her alma mater to bridge academic and business communities.

Slovenská sporiteľňa, a.s., Slovakia’s largest commercial bank and a member of Erste Group, has a history in savings services dating back to the early 1800s. Offering a comprehensive range of financial products, the bank operates the country’s most extensive branch network and holds a leading market share in deposits. A pioneer in innovation and digital transformation, Slovenská sporiteľňa continues to focus on delivering sustainable, paperless services with a seamless customer experience.

Media Contacts:

Margarita Thiel
Tel: 050100 – 13425
E-Mail: margarita.thiel@erstegroup.com

Martin Sonn-Wende
Tel: 050100 – 11680
E-Mail: martin.sonn-wende@erstegroup.com

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SOURCE: Erste Group