Russian banks have lately been expressing a growing interest in the banking market in Serbia. Representatives of VTB Bank, which holds a stake in the Bank of Moscow, are reportedly interested in Privredna Banka Beograd which is expected to get a new owner by the end of February. On the other hand, ten banks were invited to submit a letter of intent for the acquisition of a stake in the Development Bank of Vojvodina (RBV). Also, the largest bank in the Persian Gulf - First Gulf Bank, which has already announced its arrival in Serbia, together with the Al Dahra company from the Emirates, has been offered to buy local Dunav Banka instead of opening a new one, Blic daily reports.

As for something more tangible, Austria's Erste Group has submitted a letter of intent for the purchase of Hypo Alpe Adria Bank in Serbia and now waits for a response from the Austrian government, Chairman of the Erste Group Executive Board Andreas Treichl announced. “If the response from the Austrian bank is negative or our bid unacceptable, we have a backup plan for Erste Bank's expansion in Serbia”, Treichl said adding that the year 2012 was successful for Erste Bank Serbia and that Erste Group considered Serbia an important market with a growth potential. Source; SIEPA