Slovenia’s largest lender, Nova Ljubljanska Banka (NLB), has revived its bid for Croatia‑based Addiko Bank AG, showing it will not abandon a two‑year effort to enter the neighboring market. NLB’s chief executive said the bank is ready to pay a 40% premium over the current price, citing regional heritage and growth ambition. The proposal arrives as NLB seeks to offset slowing loan growth at home.

Industry observers note that Addiko, a retail lender, represents a strategic foothold for NLB to diversify beyond its domestic loan book. By acquiring the Croatian asset, NLB could tap into a market where banking consolidations remain limited, boosting its earnings per share and enhancing its capital ratios amid tightening EU regulations. Such exposure could also improve NLB’s risk‑adjusted return profile, an important metric for investors.

The aggressive bid puts pressure on rival suitors and may force Addiko’s board to weigh a premium offer against a protracted sale process. Should NLB close the transaction, the deal would mark the largest foreign acquisition in the region this year, reshaping competitive dynamics and delivering scale to NLB’s platform. The enlarged balance sheet also positions NLB to compete for corporate clients seeking financing solutions.