“We are enormously happy and proud of our colleagues from both banks who have successfully completed this extremely demanding process as one, united team, connected by a common goal: taking care of our clients. We would like to thank and congratulate them, above all, however, we would like to warmly welcome clients to NLB Komercijalna Banka,” emphasized NLB’s CEO Blaž Brodnjak as the merger process was completed. “This is an important, historical milestone that opens new opportunities to NLB Komercijalna banka employees and clients. As the third largest Serbian bank by total assets, NLB Komercijalna Banka will namely hold a systemically important position, and with it have the ability and the responsibility to truly influence the economic environment and society in Serbia – similarly as all the banks in the NLB Group do in their respective markets,” he added.
His thoughts were echoed by NLB’s CFO and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of NLB Komercijalna Banka Archibald Kremser: “The continuous efforts of an extremely dedicated team have led us to successfully complete not only one of the most challenging, but also most exciting processes NLB has undertaken in recent years – the merger of NLB and Komercijalna Banka. The foundations have therefore been laid, so now we can really begin to dedicate ourselves to our mission: providing our clients with modern, digital, universal banking solutions, to utilizing synergies within the NLB Group’s operations across the region and to our goal – to become one of the leading banks in Serbia.”
"NLB Komercijalna Banka was built on the healthiest and strongest base – on the exceptional dedication, knowledge and expertise of our employees. After a year and a half of tireless work, we managed to combine the best of both banks: the agility and speed of NLB Banka Beograd and the stability and long tradition of Komercijalna Banka,” said Vlastimir Vuković, President of the Executive Board of NLB Komercijalna Banka, wishing a warm welcome to all clients and colleagues.
After the merger, the total assets of NLB Komercijalna banka amount to EUR 4,7 billion. The loan portfolio has increased by 23 % and now amounts to EUR 2,6 billion. The combined bank now has a wide network of 186 branches – one of the largest in Serbia –, offering services, knowledge, and advice to more than one million clients.
The successfully completed merger is, however, only one of the projects that prove NLB Groups’ strong focus on its home region, South-eastern Europe, and especially its largest market – Serbia. The Group has namely been setting up an IT company, called NLB DigIT, to act as a development hub for common IT solutions. In addition, on 12 May 2022, the Group will host its first Investor Day in Belgrade.
“All these activities support our vision of becoming a regional champion – the bank of choice for our clients,” added NLB’s CEO Blaž Brodnjak. “With NLB Komercijalna Banka, we are committed to building a modern, digitalized, and efficient bank, and to become the leading bank on the Serbian market. With NLB DigIT, we wish to ensure that knowledge of IT experts, concentrated most heavily in Serbia, remains in this region. And with our Investor Day we wish to attract financial experts, investors, analysts, CEOs of the region’s key companies and many more who are writing this region’s successful stories. All this with a simple goal: to serve the community and to improve the quality of life in this region. Because for us, this region is not just a spot on the map. This is our home,” emphasized NLB’s CEO.