It is with deep regret that the board of Erste Bank announces the sudden and unexpected death due to a heart attack on 29 June 2008, of its management board member Johannes Kinsk. Kinsk joined Erste Bank in July 2007, and was instrumental in shaping the newly created Group Corporate and Investment Banking division. His contribution as an agent of change, but even more so as a colleague and friend, will be greatly missed.
Until further notice Franz Hochstrasser, member of Erstes management board, responsible for Global Markets, will take on the role of interim head of Group Corporate and Investment Banking in addition to his other responsibilities.
Prior to joining Erste Bank, Johannes Kinsk was head of Central European operations at the investment bank JP Morgan and was involved in most of the major acquisitions during Erste Banks CEE expansion over recent years. Before joining JP Morgan in 1999, he held various management positions at Deutsche Bank.
The management team of Erste Bank wishes to extend its sincere condolences to Johannes Kinsks wife and his three children. They have lost a husband and a father – not even 44 years old – who gave everything for them and would have gladly continued to do so. His extended family have lost a son of whom they were very proud, and rightly so.