President Stjepan Mesić opened the new headquarters of Vaba d.d. bank in Varaždin. By relocating the bank to new premises and opening a representative business center, Vaba Bank announces its transformation into a national bank and a sharper competition with numerous rivals.
President Mesić called for the development of banks in Croatian hands like VABA, as this will ensure that profits remain in Croatia. The opening was also attended by Varaždin County Prefect Radimir Čačić, who stated: ‘The bank has shown readiness for changes and innovations, and with its help, we have launched projects that have not been seen anywhere in the world’.
Last year, Vaba Bank Varaždin ranked first in asset growth, thus being included among the most successful Croatian banks. The bank operates in three financial centers in Varaždin, Zagreb, and Slavonski Brod, as well as ten branches in Varaždin, Čakovec, Ludbreg, Krapina, Pula, Zagreb, Sisak, Slavonski Brod, and Nova Gradiška. It has 110 employees and a total balance sheet sum of over 800 million kuna, classifying it among medium-sized banks, and it is 100% owned by Croatian legal and natural persons.
In 2007, Vaba Bank Varaždin plans to increase its assets to over 900 million kuna and open five new branches in Varaždin and Međimurje counties, as well as one branch in Koprivnica. (Renato Đurđević)
