The first phase of the privatisation process of NLB Group was completed in November 2018 by the listing of the Shares of NLB on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange and on the London Stock Exchange.
Yesterday afternoon, the Republic of Slovenia, acting through SSH, launched a proposed placement of up to 1,999,999 ordinary shares in NLB, representing 10 per cent of the Bank’s existing share capital minus 1 (one) share.
The sale in the form of an accelerated bookbuild process to certain institutional investors was successfully completed today at a price of EUR 54.75 per Share and EUR 10.95 per GDR. SSH has raised the gross proceeds from the sale in the amount of EUR 109,5 million.
By way of this transaction, international institutional investors of good quality have entered the ownership structure of NLB, giving the said Bank a good basis for ensuring its competitiveness and its further development in the future, SSH explained. You can find more information here.
With the sale of the remaining 10 per cent minus 1 Share, almost all restrictions from the commitments made by the Republic of Slovenia to the European Commission when granting state aid in 2013 have been lifted.
“We will finally be able to start operating with our full potential at home and in the SEE market, as well as address the challenges of our competitors on more equal ground. NLB will once again be able to start leasing and factoring activities and begin to invest even more intensively and without restrictions in digitization, development of new channels and the highest level of user experience. When the ban on mergers and acquisitions will be lifted at the beginning of 2020, NLB as a regional specialist will be able to seek opportunities to strengthen our position as a system player in all the markets where we operate even more actively,” said Blaž Brodnjak, President of the NLB Management Board.