Illustrative stock photo (source: Sme)
The transaction has reportedly been approved by both Russians and the current owner of the bank, Austrian Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI), but it still needs to be approved by the Austrian central Bank. Neither RBI or Alfa have commented on the rumour, the SITA newswire reported.
Despite the possible acquisition, Zuno will remain an independent and fully regulated bank based in Vienna, said PR manager of Zuno Slovensko Ivo Trávniček.
“The potential ownership change will have no impact on clients in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and their deposits will be protected under Austrian deposit protection law,” Trávniček said, as quoted by SITA, adding that the services or products offered to clients will not change.
Zuno bank set up a pilot operation in Slovakia in August 2010, while it launched its commercial operation in December 2010. In mid 2011 it began operations in the Czech Republic. The bank offers an exclusive online banking services in both countries.
