Bernhard Spalt graduated from the University of Vienna with a master's degree in law, specializing in European law. He has more than thirty years of professional experience in the financial sector and he has held management and board positions since 1999. 

He possesses extensive experience in all areas of risk management, having worked for international financial institutions in Austria, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Czechia.

In recent years, he served as President of the Management Board at Erste Group Bank AG. Prior to this, he was  a Member of the Management Board responsible for risk management at Erste Bank der Oesterreichischen Sparkassen AG, Banca Comerciala Romana SA, Slovenska Sporitelna SA, and Erste Bank Hungary ZRT. Since 1 January 2024, he has served as Vice-President of the Management Board (Chief Risk Officer) at Commerzbank AG.