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EBRD sells its stake in Nova Ljubljanska banka
The EBRD is selling its 4.5 percent-stake in Nova Ljubljanska banka (NLB), Slovenia’s largest bank, to the investment and financing company Poteza Nalozbe, part of the private Slovenian financial services group Poteza Group, a current minority shareholder in NLB.
The EBRD became a shareholder in NLB by acquiring a 5 percent-stake in September 2002. With its investment, the EBRD aimed at supporting the privatisation of NLB, assisting in its business development by strengthening corporate governance and expanding its range of banking and non-banking services and supporting the bank´s regional expansion.
The EBRD has contributed to the improvement of NLB’s corporate governance through its representation at the Supervisory Board and has supported and encouraged the development of NLB in Slovenia and South Eastern Europe, where the bank is now a strong regional player.
At all exits from equity investments, the EBRD puts highest emphasis on the transition impact of its decision and the strategic dimension by bringing in new shareholders. The sale to a private sector investor is consistent with the EBRD’s mandate. Poteza Nalozbe has a credible strategy for the future development of NLB as a committed investor, targeting shareholder value through working on efficiency and governance. The EBRD welcomes the Government’s recent announcement to propose to start the partial listing of NLB on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange by the end of August.
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