shares into the Budapest Stock Exchange the state's ownership in the bank decreased to a single voting preference (golden) share. Currently the bank is characterized by dispersed ownership of mostly private and institutional (financial) investors. After the realization of its own privatization process, OTP Bank started its international expansion targeting countries in Central and Eastern Europe. OTP Bank has completed several acquisitions in the past years. Besides Hungary, OTP Group currently operates in 8 countries of the region via its subsidiaries: in Bulgaria (DSK Bank), in Croatia (OTP banka Hrvatska), in Romania (OTP Bank Romania), in Serbia (OTP Banka Srbija), in Slovakia (OTP Banka Slovensko), in Ukraine (OTP Bank JSC), in Montenegro (Crnogorska komercijalna banka) and in Russia (OAO OTP Bank). In March 2022, due to International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War, OTP Bank stopped financing its Russian branch. 2008 was milestone in OTP Bank history since it was the first time to sell one of its subsidiaries. The French Groupama S.A. acquired its insurance business line, and part of the transaction they resolved to collaborate in strategic points and cross sell their financial and insurance products. Groupama S.A. has acquired 8% of shares of OTP Group. In April 2014, it was announced that OTP Bank was close to a deal to acquire the Hungarian MKB Bank from German firm BayernLB. French Axa Bank Europe announced in February 2016 it has entered into an agreement with OTP Bank to sell its Hungarian banking operations, which is considered as medium-sized bank in Hungary. In 2019, OTP Bank entered into an agreement to purchase MobiasBanca of Moldova. The agreement was finalized on 25 July 2019. On December 12, 2022, in Tashkent, OTP Bank signed an agreement on the privatization of 75% of the Joint-Stock Commercial Mortgage Bank "Mortgage bank". It is planned to close the deal in the first half of 2023, the amount has not yet been disclosed. OTP Group The Bank hosts an international organisation called the OTP group. The several parts of the group work in different areas of business. Gallery See also European Banking Authority List of banks List of banks in Europe References External links Banks established in 1949 Banks of Hungary Companies based in Budapest Companies listed on the Budapest Stock Exchange 1949 establishments in Hungary