Erste sells 25 kilos of Austrian gold in Romania in last month of 2013

Romanian lender BCR, owned by Austrian Erste, sold 25 kilos of gold in December 2013, both in pre-orders, and in over the counter sales, an option which was introduced in the last month of 2013. Over the counter sales totaled 5 kilos of gold, bought by over 100 clients. The gold sold by BCR is supplied by the Austrian Mint, and comes in different weights: 3.1 grams coins, which costs RON 541 – or some EUR 120 – which is the cheapest coin option on sale. The largest and most expensive is of 31 grams, and costs some RON 4,600 – or some EUR 1,022. The smallest gold bar is 2 grams only, and costs RON 368 – or some EUR 81- while the heaviest is of 1 kilo and costs RON 143,000 – or some EUR 31,700. Over the counter gold sales are currently available in 15 units across Romania, out of which five in Bucharest. BCR – or Banca Comerciala Romana – is the largest lender in Romania assets wise, and is owned by Austrian Erste. The bank posted a net profit of EUR 127 million in the first nine months of 2013, bouncing back after a loss of EUR 172 million in the first three quarters of 2012. BCR maintained leading market share by assets, despite a decline in total assets by 7 percent to the equivalent of EUR 15.2 billion. editor@romania-insider.com