DAB:SPLITSKA BANK TO BE SOLD TO ITALY'S UNICREDITO

ZAGREB, March 3 (Hina) - The State Agency for Bank Rehabilitation (DAB) on Friday decided to appoint UniCredito Italiano as an exclusive negotiator in the procedure of the privatisation of the Splitska Bank. The Agency expects that UniCredito Italiano will accept conditions for the purchase very soon and that they will conclude an agreement on the privatisation of the Splitska bank, the Agency said on Friday. This Agency holds about 86 percent of shares of the Splitska bank, and the process of the privatisation comprises the sale of the existing shares as well as the capital increase with the aim to enable the Agency to remain a share-holder in the bank possessing 25 percent plus two shares. UniCredito Italiano is a leading European financial institution and is already present on the central European market (Bank-Pekao, the biggest Polish bank), while in Croatia it possesses Cassa di Risparmio di Trieste - bank. According to its assets, the Splitska bank is the third biggest bank in Croatia (7.45 billion kuna registered on 31 December 1999 or almost one billion US dollars),while it is the fourth largest bank according to its capital (420 million kuna or $56 million). (hina) jn ms