NBRM: No takeover request received for Silk Road Bank
NBRM supports consolidation that strengthens stability but says any takeover initiative must come from banks; market moves have reduced the sector to 13 lenders.
The National Bank of the Republic of North Macedonia (NBRM) said it has not received any formal takeover request for Silk Road Bank, and that it would handle any such filing in line with its legal powers.
NBRM told local media that it supports further consolidation in the banking system when it strengthens safety and stability, but emphasised that initiatives for mergers and acquisitions come from banks and their owners, not from the regulator.
Recent moves in the market
Market attention has increased after reports that Serbia’s Alta Bank—the institution that earlier entered North Macedonia by acquiring Stopanska banka Bitola—is interested in Silk Road Bank. Alta’s acquisition of Stopanska banka Bitola is one of several recent transactions in the domestic sector.
Separately, the local unit of Sparkasse’s parent has officially submitted a notification and an offer to acquire UNI Banka. In earlier years the same group absorbed Ohridska Banka. Observers note that these transactions represent several significant moves in a short period.
Banking and finance expert Zoran Grncharovski, co‑founder of TrustFIN DOO Skopje, said consolidation typically reduces administrative and systems costs, but whether those savings reach customers through lower fees or better interest rates remains to be seen. He also pointed out that smaller banks often struggle to keep up with market changes and regulatory capital requirements.
European regulations and NBRM’s recurring requests for additional capital mean smaller lenders may have to divert dividends to recapitalise or seek fresh equity—an increasingly difficult task as technological demands grow. Currently there are 13 banks operating in the domestic market; if the reported takeover goes ahead, that number would fall to 11.
Photo: press material from the event
