Ljubljana, 15 March (STA) - The Serbian bank AIK has acquired another 12.43% in Gorenjska Banka, raising its total stake to 90.11% as part of a takeover bid published after it had already secured a majority stake in Slovenia's seventh biggest bank at the beginning of the year.
AIK, controlled through MK Grupa by Serbian businessman Miodrag Kostić, was offering EUR 298 per share in the takeover bid published in 13 February and valid until 13 March.
The key stake, giving AIK control over Gorenjska Banka, had already been acquired in the week proceeding 13 February from the indebted conglomerate Sava, which had been ordered to sell by Banka Slovenije.
Prior to that, stakes were also sold by several other companies in full or partial state-ownership, among them the Bank Asset Management Company (BAMC) or bad bank, insurer Zavarovalnica Triglav and Abanka.
Prior to the 13 February offer, stakes were still held by a variety of small shareholders including national telco Telekom Slovenije and the brokerage GB.
The formal takeover marks the final step in Kostić's log battle for control of Gorenjska Banka.
AIK Banka published the first takeover attempt in December 2017 but clearance from the central bank was not forthcoming. It eventually got the go-ahead but because it had failed to satisfy all formal requirements it got a one-year ban on a new takeover bid.