AikGroup, strengthened by the acquisition of Hipotekarna Bank, now boasts consolidated net assets of €10 billion, enabling support for larger, more complex transactions and more efficient capital management, said Razvan Munteanu, Chairman of AikGroup’s Executive Board, in an interview with Bankar following the official entry of AikGroup into the Montenegrin market.
Munteanu emphasized strong cooperation with Hipotekarna Bank’s management team and expects them to continue leading the bank through growth and integration within AikGroup. Miljan Todorović, a current shareholder, remains a member of the Supervisory Board, valued for his expertise and dedication to the bank’s vision.
AikGroup views Montenegro as its third key market after Serbia and Slovenia. The group aims to be recognized as a regional banking group, offering seamless services across borders by connecting local expertise and infrastructure through a unified platform. Hipotekarna Bank’s experience serving foreign and premium clients fits well into this strategy.
The integration will allow AikGroup to offer an expanded range of enhanced financial products tailored to clients with regional ambitions. The combined €10 billion net asset base provides capacity to back larger and more complex deals, creating a competitive advantage through regional synergy.
Munteanu stated that their ambition is to make Hipotekarna Bank a leading institution in Montenegro, focusing on modernization, expanding products and services, and continuing investments in digital transformation, where the bank already has a strong local reputation.
While no immediate management changes are planned, integration efforts continue with an emphasis on growth and operational alignment.
Regarding regional expansion, AikGroup’s current priority is the smooth integration of Hipotekarna Bank, alongside organic growth in Serbia, Slovenia, and Montenegro. However, they remain open to future acquisition or partnership opportunities across the Adriatic region.
Addressing the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions, fragmented global trade, and inflationary pressures in the Western Balkans, Munteanu highlighted the importance of agility and measured decision-making. AikGroup aims to support clients in managing risks and maintaining sustainable growth despite global uncertainties.
He emphasized that resilient and diversified economies are better positioned to handle shocks, especially small dependent markets like those in the region. AikGroup’s strategy focuses on empowering regional players of all sizes to build strong foundations for growth, positioning itself as a regional champion committed to supporting communities and fostering sustainable development.
