Erste could enter Romanian operational leasing market by year-end

The lack of information about operational leasing is, however, the main problem of this segment, he added. Operational leasing is an integrated product, which requires many partners, such as auto dealers, repair shops and car parts suppliers, according to Stanescu.

He explained that operational leasing is different from financial leasing in terms of accounting. In the case of operational leasing, the asset is amortized at the leasing company, while the amortization is made at the client, in financial leasing operations.

Erste group's net profit rose by 2.6 percent in the first quarter of 2008, to €310 million, according to analysts interviewed by Reuters.