Slovenian banking “invasion” to the Balkans

The attraction was drawn by the information provided by the Bank of Slovenia that the Slovenians invested €112m in the market of ex Yugoslavia in 2004 and in the first two months of 2005, whereas €73.4m was invested in 2004 only. Average monthly outflow is double bigger than last-year's one and it amounts to €14.6m, while the boom is related to, first of all, the stocks in Macedonia.

Nova ljubljanska banka NLB is expanding to the Balkans at the moment. It became the owner of 80.3% of Montenegrin Euromarket banka, and it plans to unite this bank with Montenegro banka by the beginning of 2006, which will result in creation of the biggest banking company in Montenegro. It agreed with the former owners in Macedonia on procurement of two thirds of Macedonian Postal Bank and it plans to buy the 3rd third, which is owned by the State. This bank is already majority owner of Tutunska banka, and it is also interested in Serbia's Continental banka and Niška banka.