KBW, a U.S. investment bank, along with Enterprise Investors, a Poland based group, announced that they are interested in acquiring several small Croatian banks. Some of the banks that are listed as possible acquisitions include: Centar Banka, Jadranska Banka, Karlovacka Banka, Istarska Kreditna Banka, and Varazdinska Banka.
Centar Banka (www.centarbanka.hr)
Centar Banka is a commercial and retail bank that has branch offices in three of the major metropolitan areas of Croatia. The bank offers a full line of services including mortgages, private loans, and investment opportunities. The bank officially opened on October 2, 1992 and is a privately held entity at this time.
Enterprise Investors (www.ei.com.pl)
Enterprise Investors was established in 1990 after the implementation of the U.S. government-funded Polish-American Enterprise Fund, an investment vehicle designed to provide equity funding for the Polish private sector. The firm has invested in excess of €1.3 billion in more than 100 projects in the last 20 years, while raising more than seven funds worth a combined total of €1.7 billion.
Enterprise Investors invests mainly in private, medium-sized business with an average horizon of three to seven years. Portfolio companies receive EI support in strategic planning, financial decision-making, and professional recruitment. EI prefers to stay away from day-to-day operations. While Polish investments are EI’s top priority, the firm looks at other potential projects that will help expand its reach in Central and Eastern Europe.
09/09/2011
Croatia, Financial Services, Poland, Private Equity News, Rumors & Speculation, USA