Živković Samardžić, one of Serbia's leading independent law firms, advised MK Group, a leader in the agricultural and sugar industries, and its subsidiary AIK Banka on the acquisition of Alpha Bank Srbija A.D.

On April 11, 2017, following regulatory approvals, AIK Banka acquired 100% of the share capital of Alpha Bank Srbija A.D., which will continue to operate under the name Jubanka A.D. Beograd, a name it has held since the mid-20th century.

MK Group, founded in 1980, operates in agriculture, sugar, meat processing, renewable energy, financial and IT services, real estate, and tourism, with 40 subsidiaries and 7,000 employees. AIK Banka won the 2016 International Banker Awards for Best Commercial Bank and Best Customer Service Provider in Eastern Europe.

The seller, Athens-based Alpha Bank, which entered the Serbian market in 2002 and privatized Jubanka A.D. in 2005, stated that the transaction aligns with its EU-backed restructuring plan.

“This deal is crucial as it marks the first major step in the consolidation of Serbia's banking market,” said Jelena Galić, CEO of AIK Banka.

MK Group and AIK Banka were advised by Holman Fenwick Willan and Živković Samardžić, with the latter's team led by Partners Branislav Živković and Sava Pavlović.