Société Générale enters leasing market in Croatia
Paris, 8 September 2008. Société Générale is starting a universal leasing activity in Croatia with the creation of SG Leasing d.o.o., based in Zagreb. SG Leasing, a joint venture between Splitska Banka and SG Equipment Finance, will distribute a wide range of leasing products to customers from large corporates to SME. The development of this new company will rely on the strong local presence of Splitska Banka and on SG Equipment Finance’s expertise in coordinating the sales financing programmes of its international customers, manufacturers of capital equipment.
Croatia has 4.4 million inhabitants and is a candidate to join the European Union in 2010; it offers strong growth potential for leasing activities.
Acquired in 2006 by Société Générale, Splitska Banka is a universal bank with close to 1,400 employees. It is the fourth largest retail banking network nationwide with around 115 branches and 500,000 clients. Thanks to SG Leasing, Splitska Banka will expand its product range offered to clients.
SG Equipment Finance is a European leader in equipment and vendor finance and manages more than EUR 22 billion assets worldwide. With this new subsidiary, SG Equipment Finance strengthens its presence in South Eastern Europe, proposing products and services to its principal partners and clients in Croatia, and is now present in 24 countries with more than 100 branches.