APS has acquired one of the largest portfolios in SE Europe with total gross balance sheet exposure € 448 million

APS Delta s.r.o., part of the group of APS Holding a.s. companies (APS), has acquired a portfolio of non-performing loans (NPLs) with the total gross balance sheet exposure of € 448 million as of 30 April 2017. The portfolio has been acquired from Zagrebačka Banka d.d. upon obtaining a positive opinion of the Croatian National Bank.

The acquisition includes secured and unsecured corporate and retail loans. The largest volume consists of corporate distressed debts followed by retail unsecured and secured distressed debts. The acquisitions add to APS’s existing credit funds under advisement, which includes 77 NPL portfolios with a total nominal value exceeding €5.1 billion.

Martin Machoň, CEO of APS, comments: “The new acquisition underlines our dedication to investing in the Croatian economy. Our goal is to find more investment opportunities and support banks’ deleveraging activities leading to long-term economic growth. The importance of distressed debt investors is growing in the current fluctuating economic cycles to return non-productive capital back to the market.”

Viktor Levkanič, Chief Investment Officer of APS, comments: “We are pleased to have the opportunity to cooperate with Zagrebačka Banka on such a strategic transaction. We have been in the transaction process for almost a year, which has involved a large team of investment professionals and specialized advisors. This transaction represents our second major acquisition of a non-performing loan portfolio on the Croatian market executed in 2017 and confirms our dedication to Western Balkan markets.”

Victor Angelescu, CEE Regional Director of APS, comments: “We have gained a strong initial position on the market, and this new acquisition brings new opportunity and greater responsibility. Our aim is to find mutually beneficial solutions that help debtors to decrease the burden of old distressed debts.”

Since the beginning of 2017, APS has significantly strengthened its position in the region. With its previously acquired portfolios in Croatia (over €100 million) and Hungary (€138.9 million) and a Cypriot joint venture with Hellenic Bank (51% APS, 49% Hellenic Bank; servicing a loan portfolio of € 2.4 billion), APS aspires to the position of fastest-growing distressed debt investor and servicer.