Intentions. National Bank of Greece (NBG), the largest bank of Greece, wants to close an alliance with the Austrian group Erste Bank or OTP Bank from Hungary, according to the Greek publication "Imersia", quoted by portfolio.hu website.

NBG is the majority shareholder at Banca Romaneasca, Erste at BCR, and OTP has a subsidiary with the same name on the local market. NBG is on the verge of expanding in Austria or Hungary and intends to close a strategic alliance, in the form of share exchange, or the takeover of Erste or OTP, according to the article. Representatives of the banks refused to comment the informations. NBG also has subsidiaries in Bulgaria, Turkey and Turkey.