Premier Post

September 2025

Save to the Max with George

Would you like to increase the interest rate on your savings account to 3%? You can find instructions on how to do this in the FIT Zone tab in George. There, you will find the Full-on saving service, which will help you manage your savings effectively and maximise your returns.

Full-on saving always shows you your current interest rate and its components, and recommends a suitable solution to help you achieve the most favourable rate on your savings account.

Take a look at the Full-on saving section today.

George mockup

Why Leaving Money in Deposit Accounts Might Be Expensive

Currently, there are concerns that the valuation of stock markets is too high. While this is good news for those who have already invested, it may discourage those who are still considering it.

However, if you have a long-term investment horizon, trying to time the market is one of the most common mistakes and can often lead to losses amounting to millions. Yes, you read that correctly. The difference between managing your funds and leaving them idle can amount to millions of crowns.

So, what exactly is market timing?

The following chart shows the performance of the world’s best-known stock index, the S&P 500, over the last 30 years. It shows that the average annual return is 8%.

Before considering market timing, realise that if an investor missed 20 trading days (out of approximately 9,000 trading sessions) over the past 30 years, their return would fall to 3.41%. However, if they missed 30 trading days, their return would be only 1.83%, which often does not even match the return on savings accounts.

We often hear from disappointed investors that they will never invest again because they’ve had a negative experience. However, it is important to realise that the markets are not to blame for these negative experiences; rather, they are the result of one or more of the following:

  • poorly chosen strategies;
  • incompetent advisors and recommendations;
  • an inappropriate investment amount;
  • an investment horizon that is too short.

At Erste Premier, we understand this, which is why we create long-term investment portfolios for our clients that take their individual needs and expectations into account.

Disclaimer: Investment advisory services are provided based on an evaluation of your knowledge, experience, financial situation, and risk tolerance. Investment offers will be tailored to your needs, characteristics, and goals. Your private banker will familiarize you with all potential risks associated with a specific investment opportunity and utilize all appropriate options. The information in this communication does not constitute investment recommendations or advice because it does not consider the particular situation of individual investors. The value of investment instruments may rise or fall, and the return of the originally invested amount is not guaranteed. Past performance does not guarantee future performance.

Check whether you meet the conditions

In George, it is now easy to check whether you qualify for the Erste Premier service. You can view the results in the Erste Premier Service section of the Discover tab, going back up to six months.

We believe you will appreciate having the opportunity to check your eligibility, which will give you a clearer idea of whether you can use the service free of charge.
 

Reserve your spot in the Erste Premier Lounge and start your journey in peace and comfort

Are you planning a flight from Václav Havel Airport and want a pleasant place to relax before departure? Our airport lounges are becoming increasingly popular and sometimes reach full capacity.

Fortunately, Prague Airport now offers a simple way to reserve your spot in the Erste Premier Lounge in advance.

Reservations are not mandatory - but they can pay off. You can enter the Erste Premier Lounge without a reservation, but entry is not guaranteed if the lounge is at full capacity. With a reservation, you can be sure that you will be admitted.

Reservation capacity is limited, so not every date or time may be available. If you have a specific flight in mind, we recommend making your reservation as soon as possible.

Once your reservation is confirmed by Prague Airport, you are guaranteed entry, even when the lounge is busy.

Reservation price (charged by Prague Airport):

  • CZK 150 per adult
  • CZK 50 per child under 12 years of age

TIP: More information about reservations and detailed conditions can be found directly on the Prague Airport website.