Steiermarkische Bank und Sparkassen launches bid for N. Macedonia's Ohridska Banka

Ohridska Banka did not provide further details in its statement, published on Wednesday.

In February, French lender Societe Generale said that it has agreed to sell its bank in Montenegro to Hungarian peer OTP Bank, and its North Macedonia-based unit Ohridska Banka to Austria'a Steiermaerkische Sparkasse.

In North Macedonia, Societe Generale agreed to sell its 74.53% stake in Ohridska Banka for 2.42 billion denars ($43.0 million/39.3 million euro), or 6,298.79 denars per share, the North Macedonia-based lender said at the time.

At the time, Ohridska Banka said that the Austrian investor intends to launch a takeover bid for 100% of Ohridska Banka at the same price per share, which values the lender at 3.25 billion denars. The takeover bid will be considered successful if holders of at least 74.53% of Ohridska Banka's shares accept the offer, the lender announced back in February.

Ohrisdska Banka shares traded at an average price of 6,139.43 denars on Wednesday on the stock exchange in Skopje.

(1 euro = 61.56 denars)