Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska-Koçoska says she was not among those consulted by National Bank Governor Trajko Sllaveski about Alta Bank’s entry into the Macedonian market and its acquisition of Stopanska Banka Bitola. According to her, the ministry was unaware of either the negotiations or the other entities that had expressed interest.
A few days ago, speaking on the programme “Top Tema”, Sllaveski said he had also consulted the government on the matter, although the National Bank is an independent institution.
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Koçoska, whose ministry oversees the Financial Police and the Financial Intelligence Directorate, insists she was not involved in the discussions. She said that even after the National Bank took over the administration of Alta Banka Bitola, she had received no information about developments and had learned about them mainly through the media.
“The ministry has had no communication on this matter. We did not know that the bank had been negotiating, nor which other institutions or banks had previously been interested. I say this with full responsibility: the Ministry of Finance has not communicated with the governor regarding this case,” the minister said.
However, Koçoska does not believe the situation at Alta Bank poses a risk to the country’s banking system, given its small share of the sector. She also said depositors had no reason for concern. The minister is expected to meet Governor Trajko Sllaveski later today.
