Coface announced it has signed a binding agreement with the Slovenian public SID Bank, to acquire 100% of PKZ capital, a credit insurance subsidiary of SID Bank.

Created by SID Bank in 2005, PKZ is the market leader in credit insurance in Slovenia with a strong market share. In 2017, the company recorded EUR15.1m in gross written premiums on an export business-focused portfolio.

The acquisition of PKZ by Coface is subject to the usual regulatory approvals which are expected to be issued in the coming months.

Coface expects a slightly positive impact on its earnings per share in 2019 and a neutral impact on its solvency ratio.

Declan DALY, CEO of the Central Europe region commented:

"This acquisition will strengthen our footprint in Central Europe and will improve the service we provide to our customers in this region. PKZ benefits from solid market shares and we count on the contribution of its teams, who will join our regional platform to continue its development."

Xavier DURAND, CEO of Coface, added:

"This acquisition is perfectly aligned with Coface's strategy. We are strengthening our presence in a strategic and growing region. This agreement demonstrates Coface's ability to grow selectively and to allocate capital efficiently, in line with the objectives of our Fit-to-Win strategic plan."