AIK Banka has told the business newspaper Finance that it is still working on getting the relevant approvals to acquire 37.6% in Gorenjska Banka and increase its share to 58.6%. It expressed confidence that it will meet the deadline set by the owner.

However, on Friday Finance cited unofficial sources as saying that Banka Slovenije would not issue a new approval.

Perhaps an even larger obstacle is the Serbian National Bank's decision to forbid AIK Banka any expansion due to "irregularities in operations". The Serbian central bank has not elaborated any further.

Currently, AIK Banka holds a 20.99% stake in Gorenjska Banka, making it the second largest single owner after Sava, which is in receivership. Finance speculates that if the sale indeed falls through, Sava's creditors might seize its Gorenjska Banka shares.