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About the Bank

The American Bank of Investments (ABI) was created following the purchase of Credit Agricole Albania by Tranzit Finance (a portfolio company of the U.S. private equity fund NCH Capital www.nchcapital.com). This acquisition, finalized at the end of 2015, has been a success story in Albania's banking market, which has historically experienced very sporadic mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity.

This was the first time that a distressed bank had been acquired in Albania and turned around, and marked the first time that a leading private equity firm became involved in the banking sector of this small market.

Remarkably quickly, the bank turned from loss-making to profitability, a clean balance sheet, stronger capital adequacy, and growth. The change in culture, and the establishment of a client-focused attitude, enhanced the positive results of the Bank.

In 2017, the opportunity to acquire another local bank arose and ABI, fully supported by its shareholders and on the back of significant growth in size and marked improvements across all its operational ratios, joined the bidding process.

The Seller was the National Bank of Greece, which in line with its restructuring plan, had decided to exit several non-core markets including that of Albania. The Albanian subsidiary was ranked number eight in the market with about EUR 300 million in total assets, roughly the same size as ABI. The Bank was selected as the Buyer following receipt of all necessary approvals from the Competition Authority and the Bank of Albania. The process closed in June 2018, with ABI becoming the countrs's sixth largest bank.

Actually, ABI has a network of branches on the biggest cities throughout the country and a committed staff of employees bringing the experience and the culture of both banks, adding to the Bank another positive factor and competitiveness in the market.

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