EBRD acquiring stake in AikGroup

The EBRD is acquiring a 5% stake in this regional banking group, thereby strengthening corporate governance and supporting regional expansion

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has acquired a 5% stake in AikGroup, one of the fastest-growing banking groups in Southeast Europe, by purchasing newly issued shares valued at up to EUR 64 million.

Aiming to strengthen position in Southeast Europe

The goal of this investment is to support business expansion and further strengthen AikGroup’s position in the Southeast European region through both acquisitions and organic growth.

The EBRD will appoint a representative to the group’s Board of Directors, which will further enhance corporate governance and support strategic decision-making regarding international expansion.

AikGroup, which is supervised by the European Central Bank (ECB) and owned by Aleksandar Kostic, operates subsidiaries in Serbia (AikBank, AikLeasing, and MV Investment), Slovenia (Gorenjska Banka and GB Leasing) and Montenegro (Hipotekarna Banka).

The group has grown rapidly in recent years through a series of acquisitions, and today, it serves a portfolio of over 800,000 clients and manages total assets valued at more than EUR 10 billion. The group aims to increase its total assets to EUR 20 billion over the next three to five years through acquisitions and continued organic growth across the region.

Francis Malige, Managing Director for Financial Institutions at the EBRD, stated:

– Strong, transparent regional banking groups play an important role in advancing good governance in their respective banking sectors, as well as supporting private-sector growth and economic integration.

Through this investment, the EBRD is backing AikGroup’s vision of building a leading regional banking platform, while helping to strengthen governance standards, enhance digital capabilities and advance climate and cybersecurity resilience. We look forward to working closely with AikGroup as it continues to expand across the region and create new opportunities for businesses and individuals.

Razvan Munteanu, Chairman of the Board of AikGroup, stated:

– We are thrilled to be joined by EBRD as our new shareholder. Having EBRD as a strategic partner is a strong endorsement of our strategy and our ambition to build a leading financial group in the Adria region, creating lasting value in the markets in which we operate.

Implementing the highest business standards

This development confirms as well the progress registered by the group in implementing the best standards for a robust business model and corporate governance. By combining AikGroup’s regional presence and expertise with EBRD’s global experience, we are well positioned to accelerate the region’s economic transition, while the EBRD’s investment will support further market expansion and operational efficiencies.

The project will further reinforce high standards of corporate governance, while the appointment of an EBRD representative to the Board of Directors will bring additional international experience from the financial industry.

Thanks to this investment, AikGroup will be able to access technical support in various areas, including cybersecurity and data management, in compliance with EU standards and regulatory requirements.

By bringing the EBRD into its ownership structure, AikGroup has committed to further developing and implementing a climate transition plan aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The plan will support the integration of climate considerations into governance, strategy, risk management, and disclosure practices across the Group and its subsidiaries.

This transaction is part of the EBRD’s Financial Sector Strategy and aligns with the Bank’s approach to accelerating digital transition while supporting the development of a competitive, well-governed, and resilient banking sector across the Western Balkans.

A growing banking group

AikGroup is a growing banking group with over 3,000 employees, providing a wide range of relevant financial solutions to all client categories.

The group comprises the following entities: AikBank, AikLeasing, and MV Investment in Serbia, Gorenjska banka and GB Leasing in Slovenia and Hipotekarna banka in Montenegro.

As of December 31, 2025, AikGroup’s portfolio comprised total assets exceeding EUR 10 billion, supported by a strong capital base of EUR 1.4 billion.

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

EBRD

AikGroup

European Central Bank

ECB

AikBank

AikLeasing

MV Investment

Gorenjska Banka

GB Leasing

Hipotekarna Banka

Aleksandar Kostić

Francis Malige

Razvan Munteanu