Summary of Project Information submitted by Nova Banka Bijeljina to IFC (other keywords: Poteza Adriatic Fund; Global, Pokojninska Družba, Bosnia, Slovenia, Netherlands)

The Summary of Project Information (SPI) submitted by Nova Banka ad Bijeljina to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), whose parent organization is the World Bank, is a school example on how the World Bank acquires participation and frequently majority ownership in the commercial banks in the transition countries. The SPI below specifically descibes the project sponsor Poteza as "an IFC existing portfolio private equity fund formed by Poteza Nalozbe d.o.o from Slovenia. The Fund makes equity and equity-related investments in companies based in Southeastern Europe through majoritity or significant minority stakes. Its primary target countries for investment are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia." 

This Summary of Project Information is prepared and distributed to the public in advance of the IFC Board of Directors’ consideration of the proposed transaction. Its purpose is to enhance the transparency of IFC’s activities, and this document should not be construed as presuming the outcome of the Board decision. Board dates are estimates only. Summary of Project Information (SPI) Project number 24611 Project name Nova Banka a.d. Country Bosnia and Herzegovina Sector Finance & Insurance Department Global Financial Markets Group Company name Nova Banka Environmental category FI-1 Date SPI disclosed November 17, 2005 Projected board date December 17, 2005 Status Pend FAP Project sponsor and major shareholders of project company The project sponsor is Poteza Adriatic Fund B.V. (Poteza, or the Fund), an IFC existing portfolio private equity fund formed by Poteza Nalozbe d.o.o from Slovenia. The Fund makes equity and equity-related investments in companies based in Southeastern Europe through majority or significant minority stakes. Its primary target countries for investment are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia. In June 2005, Poteza and a co-investor, Prva Pokojninska Druzba d.d., a pension insurance company based in Slovenia, acquired 50% + 1 share ownership of the Bank. Poteza and its co-investor own 44.1% and 5.9% respectively of the Bank’s share ownership. Other shareholders include local individuals and corporations such as Slobodan Radanovic (5.7%), Invest Nova d.o.o. (3.7%), and Goran Avlijas (3.4%). Total project cost and proposed IFC investment The proposed IFC financing package is for a total amount of EUR 15 million. Location of project and description of site Nova Banka is a licensed commercial bank headquartered in Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 11 branches and 58 outlets mainly in RS. Description of company and purpose of project The proposed transaction consists of a financing package of up to EUR 15 million to Nova Banka a.d., Bijeljina (Nova Banka or the Bank or company), a commercial bank in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), operating predominantly in the less developed Republic of Srpska (RS). Alongside this financing, Nova Banka has requested IFC to consider supporting a technical assistance program involving training and consulting in specific areas to enable better service delivery to the Bank’s retail and corporate clients. Profitable and well-positioned, Nova Banka plans to accelerate its growth with the requested funds and technical assistance through on-lending to private small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and to the consumer retail housing sector. The Bank is facing growing needs from both companies and consumers for long-term financing. As the economy of BiH is still in the early stage of transition, the country has much need for the development of its SMEs and its medium-low income households. Consequently, the project is expected to have a high developmental impact on BiH. Environmental and social issues - Category FI-1 This is an environmental and social FI type 1 project. Nova Banka will be required to establish an environmental management system which is acceptable to IFC in order to ensure that its operations in lending to clients are in compliance with host country environmental and social requirements. To contact the project company, please write to: Janez Klobcar Partner & CEO Poteza Partners d.o.o. Zelezna cesta 18 SI - 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia Phone: + 386 1 30 70 708 Fax: + 386 1 30 70 887

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