Slavonska Banka d.d.
MIGA issued its first guarantee in Croatia, covering a $24.5 million shareholder loan by Hypo Alpe-Adria-Bank AG to Croatia's recently privatized Slavonska Banka d.d. MIGA's guarantee covers the investment against the risks of transfer restriction and expropriation. The new financing will be used to develop Hypo Alpe-Andria-Bank AG's lending portfolio in the eastern part of Croatia. Slavonska Banka d.d. will on-lend its funds to small- and medium-sized enterprises, which traditionally have had little access to long-term finance. The targeted sectors are tourism, agriculture, agribusiness, wood processing, and building materials. Slavonska Banka d.d. also will expand its retail sector to provide a full range of personal and small business banking services. The project will help the country's reconstruction efforts by strengthening the private banking sector.