Erste Bank AD Podgorica
Erste Bank AD Podgorica (previously Opportunity Bank), Montenegro, was formally licensed by the Central Bank of Montenegro on 23 April 2002, and became operational on 29 May 2002.
Opportunity Bank is Opportunity International's first fully licensed bank in the region. Opportunity International, via funding and support from USAID, is the bank's majority shareholder. Opportunity Bank opened its doors to the public on 1 July 2002. The bank was formally inaugurated by the US Ambassador to Yugoslavia, William Montgomery, on 18 September 2002.
Since 2002, Opportunity Bank has implemented credit lines from the German development bank, Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau (KfW), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the responsibility fund, Oikocredit, Symbiotics and Blue Orchard. All of these credit lines have been directed at supporting the micro, small and medium-sized private business sector in Montenegro.
In 2009 Erste & Steiermärkische Bank (Erste Bank) completed the acquisition of Opportunity Bank Montenegro, acquiring 100% shares of the former member of Opportunity International, a US-based non-profit microfinance organization.
On July 24, 2009, Opportunity Bank officially changed its name to ERSTE BANK AD Podgorica.