According to local press reports, IPB bank continues its talks with potential foreign investors (including Skanska of Sweden) regarding the sale of the IPS construction company. The IPS tender was won earlier this year by Stredoevropska stavebni, a Czech company, which financed the acquisition with a short-term loan from IPB. IPB, however, has not extended the loan to Stredoevropska stavebni, and is now in a position to decide on the ultimate buyer of the majority stake in IPB. According to an unnamed supervisory board member, IPB would like to conclude an agreement about the transaction by June 10.
(Ladislav Kovář)