EBRD invests in AikGroup buying into the group’s banking sector development strategy in south-eastern Europe

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is investing up to €64 million in AikGroup, one of the fast-growing banking groups in south-eastern Europe, through the purchase of newly issued shares representing a 5 per cent stake in the company.

The investment will support AikGroup’s strategy of expanding across the Adriatic region through acquisitions and organic growth, helping to strengthen the group’s position as a regional banking platform. EBRD will appoint a nominee director to AikGroup’s board, reinforcing corporate governance and supporting strategic decision-making as the group pursues further international expansion.

AikGroup, supervised by European Central Bank and under majority ownership of Aleksandar Kostić, 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 serves over 800k customers and manages total assets of more than €10 billion. Its medium-term ambition is to increase total assets to €20 billion in the next three to five years, supported by acquisitions and continued organic growth across the region.

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.

Francis Malige, the EBRD’s Managing Director for Financial Institutions

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. 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.

Razvan Munteanu, AikGroup CEO

The project will also consolidate the Group’s high standards of corporate governance and operational resilience. Through this investment, AikGroup will benefit from technical cooperation support in various areas, including cybersecurity and data governance, in line with the EU Digital Operational Resilience Act. EBRD’s appointment of a nominee director will provide additional top industry international experience.

In the context of EBRD joining the group’s shareholding structure, AikGroup has committed to develop and implement 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.

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

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