Through a unique blend of business vision and partnership trust, ALTA Bank presented the benefits of the SEPA system at the Hilton Hotel — a system that, as of May 5th, brings faster and more efficient payments. The focus of the gathering was on new opportunities for the domestic economy and the improvement of everyday business operations through integration into modern European financial flows.

Wishing to bring the SEPA system, its significance and efficiency closer to the partners with whom it builds strong relationships on a daily basis, ALTA Bank last night hosted clients, associates and friends at the Hilton Hotel. As an institution that places responsibility toward its clients first, ALTA Bank dedicated this evening to a future that promises faster and simpler payments. The focus of the gathering was on the concrete solutions and changes that this new European payment standard will introduce as of May 5th. SEPA is the key that opens the doors of the European market to the domestic economy and citizens, and changes the way business is conducted with foreign partners. As a new gateway into modern payment flows, this standard represents a turning point for domestic business, and through this gathering, ALTA Bank has charted a course for its clients toward the most advanced financial network.

“It is my great pleasure that we have gathered today in this beautiful setting to exchange important information in a pleasant atmosphere and to discuss the step our banking market is taking to become part of the modern European network.

SEPA is our shared gateway into a world of faster, simpler and more efficient business — a space where borders in payment transactions virtually disappear. Our wish is that through today’s presentation you gain insight into the advantages this system brings to your business, and that we use the rest of the evening to exchange ideas and further strengthen our partnership,” said Dr. Una Sikimić, President of the Executive Board of ALTA Bank.

Guests had the opportunity to enjoy a carefully crafted gastronomic journey through the member countries of the SEPA area. From refined French appetizers to authentic Italian delicacies, the catering symbolically evoked the borderless market we are joining. The exchange of ideas and experiences among the attendees in a pleasant atmosphere confirmed that it is precisely strong partnerships that form the foundation upon which ALTA Bank is building its vision for the future.

SEPA in Practice: Efficiency and Savings

In practice, SEPA delivers tangible benefits to companies that regularly do business with partners in the European Union. Faster crediting of euro inflows directly improves liquidity management, while the optimization and reduction in the number of participants in the payment chain — compared to the conventional SWIFT model — leads to lower overall operating costs. Uniform execution timelines and a clear fee structure contribute to more precise financial planning, and faster invoice settlement shortens the collection cycle and reduces the need for additional working capital financing. For exporters, distributors and companies operating in the European market, this framework simplifies everyday processes, as the same payment model is applied across multiple markets without the need to adapt procedures for each country individually.

ALTA Bank’s focus is on the consistent application of European rules and clearly defined processes that provide clients with reliability and predictability.

This approach draws on the practice and expertise built within the ALTA Group in the area of payment services. Through ALTA Pay — a payment platform with a developed network and significant operational volume — the ALTA Group has for years operated in an environment that demands speed, continuity and reliability in processing a high volume of transactions. These foundations have been further reinforced by experience gained through the application of open banking principles, enabling a high degree of interoperability with modern payment standards.

It is precisely this operational maturity that forms the basis for the consistent application of SEPA standards in a banking context.

Although SEPA introduces a new framework for euro-denominated business, ALTA Bank retains full payment functionality outside the SEPA area through international payment networks. Additionally, in accordance with the applicable regulatory framework, ALTA Bank provides regional clearing services for transactions between businesses in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, with clearing conducted through the National Bank of Serbia. Clients of the bank are provided with a complete range of services for international business.

The implementation of the SEPA payment system creates a market framework that levels the playing field for all banks and further intensifies the competitive dynamics among market participants. In such an environment, differentiation is built through organization, operational readiness and the ability of banks to deliver concrete benefits and simpler operations to clients through the SEPA payment system. In this setting, ALTA Bank receives validation of a business model that is already aligned with the European way of working and market expectations.

ALTA Bank crowned yet another successful business year with recognition from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia as the fastest-growing bank in the country’s market. The plaque for achievement in 2025 was today presented to the President of ALTA Bank’s Executive Board, Dr. Una Sikimić.

By joining the top ten leading banks in Serbia, ALTA Bank further consolidated its market position throughout 2025, confirming that its dynamic growth is accompanied by sustainable and measurable business results. During the year in which ALTA Bank officially positioned itself among the ten leading banks in the country, it achieved strong portfolio growth, stable profitability, and a historically low non-performing loan ratio of 0.5%. The Bank expanded its corporate and retail client base, enhanced its digital services, and further consolidated key operational processes, significantly strengthening its position in the domestic banking sector.

The regional dimension of this growth was also marked by the acquisition of a majority stake in Stopanska Banka AD Bitola, which now operates as ALTA Banka AD Bitola, opening up new synergies within the ALTA Group and enabling stronger integration of financial flows across the region.

“With a tradition of nearly half a century, ALTA Bank is today a modern, agile, and growing financial institution building its future on stability, a clear vision, and continuous transformation. As part of the ALTA Group, one of the most dynamic financial systems in the region, we develop banking services within a broad ecosystem of financial and technological innovation. The recognition from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia holds special significance for us, as it comes from an institution that objectively evaluates market results and the contribution of the financial sector to the domestic economy. The fact that we are confirming our status as the fastest-growing bank for the second consecutive year shows that our strategy is not only ambitious, but consistently and successfully executed,” said Dr. Una Sikimić.

Speaking about the achievements of 2025, Dr. Una Sikimić noted that ALTA Bank had a significant share in the overall growth of the banking sector — accounting for 20% of total asset growth and 24% of the sector’s total deposit portfolio growth. In terms of deposit growth rate, ALTA Bank ranked first in the Serbian market, which, in her words, is a clear indicator of client confidence, among both individual citizens and business entities. Alongside these trends, strong client base growth was also recorded — 29% in the retail segment and 19% in the corporate segment — further confirming the relevance of the Bank’s offering and business approach.

“This result is, above all, a collective success of the entire ALTA Bank team. I am proud of the dedication and professionalism of our employees, as it is precisely this approach that has positioned us among the ten leading banks in Serbia. Today, ALTA Bank is a strong and operationally efficient institution with clear ambitions for further development in the country and the region. In the period ahead, we are focused on further strengthening our market position, and this recognition represents both a standard and an obligation to continue at the same pace. We continue to build a reliable and modern bank that meets the needs of the economy and serves as a secure foundation for citizens. We place particular emphasis on corporate social responsibility through initiatives that contribute to community development, support education, sport and culture, and create sustainable value for generations to come. Ethical principles, transparency, and care for people and the community are part of our corporate philosophy,” Dr. Una Sikimić emphasized.

ALTA Bank entered 2026 with a clear focus on sustainable growth and the development of services that keep pace with the needs of the modern market. Particular emphasis has been placed on enhancing the customer experience, modernizing digital and transactional processes, and further strengthening the portfolio while maintaining high operational efficiency. This approach confirms that ALTA Bank is consistently building a business model grounded in reliability, responsibility, and long-term sustainability — values that remain the foundation of its continued growth.