Central and Eastern Europe regional awards
 |
Best Bank: NLB Montenegrobanka |
In 2006 Montenegro became the latest addition to the roster of newly independent states in Europe and the country has been quick to attract the attention of international banks thanks to its obvious potential as a tourist hotspot in the coming years. No one has moved faster than Slovenia’s Nova Ljubljanska Banka, which after two quickfire acquisitions has created NLB Montenegrobanka Podgorica, the clear market leader in the Balkan state. The product of a merger between Euromarket banka and MNB Crnogorska banka the bank is an active lender to retail and corporate clients. As a provider of consumer loans to buy goods produced by Slovenian manufacturers and a supplier of export financing for corporates to export from Montenegro to Slovenia, NLB Montenegrobanka Podgorica plays a key role in cementing the growing trade links between the two countries. On the investment banking front, Raiffeisen Investment has already established an enviable track record of advisory mandates, working on several privatizations, the most recent of which was the sale of the Centar Igalo hotel group.