Serbia’s Alta Banka has opened a takeover offer worth nearly €23 million for Stopanska Banka Bitola in North Macedonia, signalling one of the most notable cross-border banking moves in the Adria region this year. The Belgrade-based lender is offering 3,777 denars per share to acquire the 95% of shares it does not already own, bringing the total value of the bid to around 1.48 billion denars.
Alta Banka, which already controls a small stake in the Bitola-based bank, is looking to cement its presence in North Macedonia’s financial market.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved the bid, which requires acceptance by at least 70% of shareholders to go through. The offer is open until 10 October 2025.
If successful, the deal would deepen financial linkages between Serbia and North Macedonia, reflecting a broader trend of regional consolidation in banking. For North Macedonia, it also underscores the increasing role of Serbian capital in reshaping the country’s financial landscape. Analysts note that the takeover could sharpen competition while giving Alta Banka a stronger foothold in cross-border corporate lending.
