Headline: Slovakia Source: Euromoney Date: July 2001 Best bank: Tatra Bank Best debt house: Tatra Bank Best equity house: CA IB Best M&A house: JPMorgan During its 10-year existence, Tatra Bank fought its way into the top four of the commercial banks in Slovakia. Not only does it have a 10% market share of total assets, it is also one of the most profitable banks in the region with return on equity of 27.4%, and an increase of its net profit last year by 17.5% to Sk1.8 billion ($36 million). Last year proved yet again that the strategy of Tatra’s majority owner Raiffeisenbank – building a local brand through organic growth – paid off. Tatra’s balance sheet grew faster than expected in 2000. It increased by 30% to Sk78 billion. Much of the growth was seen in retail banking where deposits grew by 55% to Sk61 billion, which gives Tatra a 12% market share -– the second largest after ex-savings bank Slovenska Sporitelna, which was itself taken over by Erste Bank this January. Tatrabank says it attracts customers with its extensive network of 77 branches, as well as a virtual banking service, which was launched in June of last year under the memorable name Eliot. |