No Concrete Offers Yet For RBS Romania - CEO

05.19.2011 By Florentina Dragu

RBS Romania hasn’t received any concrete buy offer so far, despite much interest from suitors, chief executive officer Johan Gabriels said Thursday.

"All I can tell you is that there were many interested banks. I don't know what will happen; we don't have any concrete offer right now, for any price," Gabriels said.

He added that the discussion for taking over RBS Romania should be carried directly with the bank's shareholders.

Late April, people who wished to remain anonymous told MEDIAFAX that Hungary's OTP Bank is negotiating the takeover of RBS Romania.

OTP admitted it plans to buy a peer in Romania, but refused to give a name.

RBS Bank Romania was founded in 1995 and operates 30 branches on the local market.

Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc announced plans to sell its Romanian unit, but reconsidered when it didn't receive an acceptable offer.

In 2010, RBS Bank Romania reported net profit of over 150 million lei (EUR36.3 million), up 15% on the year. (EUR1=RON4.1254)