Heta Asset Resolution would not officially confirm the sale. It said it would not comment on ongoing sale procedures and would reveal all information in a press release once the transaction is concluded.

Judging by the public call for bids, the package is valued at EUR 551 million includes EUR 386 million in non-performing claims, EUR 166 million in healthy claims and real estate with a fair market value of EUR 110 million.

While the buyer has not been disclosed officially, news portal Siol reported earlier this week that MK Group, the investment vehicle of Serbian businessman Miodrag Kostić, had submitted the best bid, offering EUR 230-250 million for the package.

Kostić has recently completed the acquisition of Gorenjska Banka and also owns an the prestigious Grand Hotel Palace in Portorož and a controlling stake in the Portorož Airport operator Aerodrom Portorož.

Siol said MK Group had to secure clearance from the European Commission and anti-trust authorities in Slovenia, Serbia and Montenegro before it could complete the transaction.