European banks are looking forward to take dominating positions in Eastern Europe, Bloomberg writes.

States in different parts of Eastern Europe, where growth pace exceeds speed of euro area’s development, are losing control over its assets. Among the last ones are Serbia and Slovenia, which offer stakes in its banks. Among potential buyers are OTP Bank Nyrt. from Hungary, Raiffeisen Bank International AG and Erste Group Bank AG from Austria as well as other financial investors, which want to strengthen its positions in the region.

Growing number of loans due to higher consumer spending makes banks of Eastern Europe an attractive target for purchase. And this is despite of the fact that in last decade Balkans were causing concerns in regards to doing business there due to high corruption, national disputes and economic instability. Now this region is interesting to investors.

Slovakia offers stakes in two banks, which together account for about third of the market, while Serbia is selling bank that controls 11% of banking industry in the country. The sales is partially caused by pressure on behalf of EU and IMF.

While some banks, such as Societe Generale SA, leave countries to focus on key markets, others are looking for opportunities from Poland to Bulgaria.