Best bank:
Tatra Bank
Best debt house:
Tatra Bank
Best equity house:
CA IB
Best M&A house:
JPMorgan
During its 10-year existence, Tatra Bank fought its way into the top four of the commercial banks in Slovakia. Not only does it have a 10% market share of total assets, it is also one of the most profitable banks in the region with return on equity of 27.4%, and an increase of its net profit last year by 17.5% to Sk1.8 billion ($36 million).
Last year proved yet again that the strategy of Tatra's majority owner Raiffeisenbank - building a local brand through organic growth - paid off. Tatra's balance sheet grew faster than expected in 2000. It increased by 30% to Sk78 billion. Much of the growth was seen in retail banking where deposits grew by 55% to Sk61 billion, which gives Tatra a 12% market share -- the second largest after ex-savings bank Slovenska Sporitelna, which was itself taken over by Erste Bank this January.
Tatrabank says it attracts customers with its extensive network of 77 branches, as well as a virtual banking service, which was launched in June of last year under the memorable name Eliot.