OTP banka has yesterday invited several bidders that submitted non-binding offers for the purchase of the Bank's 51 percent stake in Zavarovalnica Maribor to start carrying out the due diligence review. Depending on the outcome of the due diligence review, each bidder will make a decision on whether to submit a binding offer. The sale of Zavarovalnica Maribor is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Non-binding offers have been sent by several potential investors, both from Slovenia and abroad, including Pozavarovalnica Sava (Sava Re), which has already informed the public thereof, in accordance with the rules governing the provision of information. For confidentiality reasons, and due to this being considered price sensitive information, the Bank cannot disclose the names of other bidders or confirm the assumptions of some media in this regard. By selling Zavarovalnica Maribor, in addition to undertaking some other activities, OTP banka plans to enhance its capital position, thus creating a sound basis for growth and development of both the Bank and the OTP banka Group.
Depending on the outcome of the due diligence review of Zavarovalnica Maribor, which started today, each potential investor will make a decision on whether to submit a binding offer. The binding offers are expected to be received in November, with the sale of Zavarovalnica Maribor projected to be completed by the end of the year. The final decision on the sale of Zavarovalnica Maribor will be made by the Bank after a careful review of all offers, taking into consideration relevant business criteria and the estimated additional value this transaction could bring to shareholders and other stakeholders of the Bank.
The sale of Zavarovalnica Maribor is one of the activities undertaken as part of the action plan for the improvement of the Bank's capital adequacy, prepared in accordance with the recommendations of the European Banking Authority (EBA), the implementation of which started based on the ruling made by the June Shareholders' Meeting. According to this action plan, the Bank will meet the minimum Core Tier I capital ratio requirement of 9 percent by the end of the year. Other activities aimed at improving the Bank’s capital position, such as a potential redemption of subordinated instruments and raising additional capital, are under way as well.
For the period from January through June 2012, the OTP banka Group reported an operating profit before provisions and impairment losses of €35.8 million. The Group's Core Tier I capital ratio as of 30 June 2012 was 7.45 percent. The consolidation of the OTP banka Group is one of the key elements of its new strategy, which is currently being drafted and according to which the Group may have fewer members in the future, but be more efficient.
The Bank will keep its shareholders and the interested public updated on the activities related to the sale of Zavarovalnica Maribor, in accordance with the principles of equitable provision of information and the rules governing the operations of public limited companies.
