Nova Banka

What Nova Banka does

Nova banka a.d. Banjaluka is a Republic of Srpska–domiciled joint-stock bank operating across Bosnia and Herzegovina, with its headquarters in Banja Luka and a physical network of more than 90 branches and 165+ ATMs serving both retail customers (stanovništvo) and corporate clients (pravna lica). The bank is privately owned by entrepreneur Mladen Milanović, led by President of the Management Board Siniša Adžeić alongside Management Board member Mladen Ćulić, and operates under a Nadzorni odbor chaired by Goran Radanović. With a workforce of more than 700 employees, Nova Banka delivers a full-service universal banking proposition including current and savings accounts, consumer and housing loans, pensioner and student lending, agricultural and SME credit lines, payment cards, international remittances, brokerage, custody, and depository services.

The bank's product and technology stack centers on the Smart Nova digital platform — a mobile application plus a Halcom-powered web banking portal — complemented by cashNOVA e-wallet functionality, the NovaPay e-commerce gateway, POS terminals for merchant acquiring, the Uređaj za polog gotovine (cash deposit device) for legal entities, 3D Secure card authentication, and digital wallet integrations via Google Pay (Visa) and Apple Pay (Mastercard). Card products are issued under co-branded programs with both Mastercard (Super Nova debit/credit, Mastercard Business, World Super Nova) and Visa (Visa Gold VIP, Visa Business, Visa Internet), while international payments are routed through SWIFT, MoneyGram, RIA Financial Services, TIZI, Beo Export, and Visa Direct. Nova Banka also maintains a Broker Nova brokerage, Custody Bank service, and Depositary operation for securities, alongside an authorized foreign exchange (mjenjačnica) function. The bank holds ISO 9001 certification and is licensed by both Agencija za bankarstvo Republike Srpske and Agencija za bankarstvo Federacije BiH.

Nova Banka's revenue model is a conventional commercial banking mix driven primarily by net interest income on its retail, mortgage, agricultural, and corporate loan book, with supplementary fee and commission income from account maintenance, card transactions (interchange), ATM and POS usage, SWIFT and remittance fees, documentary operations (guarantees, letters of credit, collections), safe deposit rentals, and brokerage/custody/depositary services. Loyalty economics are layered on through the Super Nova program with Mastercard, including recurring cashback campaigns such as fuel discounts at HIFA stations, appliance cashback at MG Mind and PJ Supermarket Slavija, and the Visa EuroLeague Final Four promotion. The bank's go-to-market is a dual-channel model: an extensive physical branch network anchored in Republika Srpska and expanding into Federation municipalities, paired with self-serve digital channels. Growth strategy has emphasized reinvestment of profits into capital and development rather than dividend distribution, which the bank credits for its operational efficiency improvement (cost-to-income ratio reduced from 56.12% to 34.8% between 2020 and 2024) and its recognition as a top loan-disbursement bank in Republika Srpska.

Name

Nova Banka

Legal name

Nova banka a.d. Banjaluka

Website

https://novabanka.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Nova banka a.d. Banjaluka is a privately held Bosnia and Herzegovina retail and commercial bank, headquartered in Banja Luka, serving individuals and legal entities through 90+ branches, 165+ ATMs, and the Smart Nova digital banking platform alongside co-branded Mastercard and Visa card programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail and Commercial Banking

NAICS

Commercial Banking (52211), Depository Credit Intermediation (5221)

SIC

State Commercial Banks (6022)

akta.pro primary industry

SME Deposits & Business Accounts (Operating, Savings, CDs) (FSABABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Banking & Neobank Platforms (BPAMAFAD), SME Banking Suite (Business Accounts, Invoicing, Payroll Integrations) (FSAGAAAI)

Keywords

• Retail banking services
• Corporate banking
• Consumer lending
• Payment cards
• Digital banking

Headquarters

HQ city

Banja Luka

HQ country

Bosnia & Herzegovina

HQ region

Europe

Offices26 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Interest Income: Interest earned on loans extended to retail and corporate customers including cash loans, housing loans, agricultural loans, and business credit facilities
2. Fee and Commission Income: Transaction fees, account maintenance fees, card fees, ATM withdrawal fees, and commissions on payment services including SWIFT transfers, MoneyGram, RIA, and other international transfer services
3. Card Transaction Revenue: Interchange fees from card transactions (Mastercard and Visa) processed through the bank's network
4. Digital Banking Services: Fees for digital banking services including Smart Nova mobile app, e-banking, and e-commerce solutions like NovaPay
5. Safe Deposit Boxes: Rental income from safe deposit boxes (sefovi) offered to retail and business customers
6. Documentary Operations: Fees for guarantees (garancije), letters of credit (akreditivi), and collection services (inkaso) for corporate customers
7. Financial Markets Services: Brokerage services through Broker Nova, custody bank services, and depositary services for securities
8. Foreign Exchange Operations: Revenue from currency exchange operations and authorized currency exchange office

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Nova Banka is a Bosnian-Herzegovinian commercial bank headquartered in Banja Luka that provides retail and corporate banking services through an extensive branch network of 90+ branches and 165+ ATMs. Its offering spans current and savings accounts, cash/housing/mortgage/agricultural/student/green loans, payment cards (Mastercard and Visa), international remittances, merchant acquiring (POS and NovaPay e-commerce), financial markets services (brokerage, custody, depository), and digital banking via the Smart Nova mobile and web platforms.

Product overview

Nova Banka is a retail and commercial bank operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina, offering a comprehensive suite of banking products through physical branch network and digital channels. The core digital platform is Smart Nova (including Smart Nova Mobile), which provides 24/7 account access and transactions. Payment cards include Super Nova Mastercard (with loyalty features), Visa Gold, Visa Business, and Mastercard Business cards, all supporting contactless payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay. For international transfers, the bank integrates with SWIFT, MoneyGram, TIZI, RIA Financial Services, and Visa Direct. E-commerce services include NovaPay and POS terminals for merchants. Additional services include brokerage (Broker Nova), custody (Custody Bank), and depository services. The Super Nova loyalty program provides points-based rewards across partner merchants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Smart Nova: Digital banking application for mobile and web banking services enabling customers to manage accounts, transactions, and banking products remotely.
• Super Nova
• NovaPay

Products and services

• Smart Nova Digital Banking Web-based digital banking platform enabling retail and corporate customers to manage accounts, transfers, payments, and credit applications 24/7 without visiting a branch.
• Smart Nova Mobile Mobile banking application for smartphones providing on-the-go account access, transactions, card management, and banking services.
• Mastercard Super Nova Card Mastercard payment card for retail customers integrated with the Super Nova loyalty program, supporting contactless payments and Apple Pay.
• Visa Gold VIP Card Premium Visa card offering higher transaction limits and enhanced benefits targeted at VIP retail clients.
• Visa Internet Card Visa card designed for safe online shopping with 3D Secure authentication for card-not-present transactions.
• Visa Business Card Visa payment card for legal entities enabling corporate expense management with cashback promotions.
• Mastercard Business Card Mastercard payment card for corporate clients offering expense tracking and cashback rewards on business spending.
• Cash Loans for Employees Personal cash loans for employed individuals up to 50,000 KM with repayment terms up to 10 years at fixed interest rates.
• Housing Loans Loans from bank funds for the purchase or renovation of residential property.
• Mortgage Loans Real-estate-secured mortgage loans for property financing.
• Green Loans Loans financing energy-efficient appliances, electric and hybrid vehicles, and sustainable property investments.
• Student Loans Educational loans for students to finance higher education expenses.
• Agricultural Loans Specialized credit for farmers and agricultural micro-businesses, funded from bank resources, IRB RS funds, or with Guarantee Fund guarantees.
• Term Deposits (Klasična oročena štednja) Classic fixed-term savings deposits for retail customers, with rates up to 3.2% as of 2025.
• NovaPay E-commerce Payment Solution Online payment gateway for merchants and legal entities enabling secure acceptance of card payments in e-commerce transactions.
• POS Terminals Point-of-sale terminal network enabling merchants across Bosnia and Herzegovina to accept card payments.
• Cash Deposit Device for Legal Entities Automated cash deposit machine for business customers to deposit cash directly without teller assistance.
• TIZI International Money Transfer Service allowing recipients in Bosnia and Herzegovina to receive free international remittances from abroad.
• Documentary Operations (Guarantees, Letters of Credit, Collections) Trade finance services for corporate clients including issuance of guarantees, letters of credit (akreditivi), and collection (inkaso) services.
• Broker Nova Brokerage services for securities trading on financial markets.
• Custody Bank Services Custody and safekeeping services for securities held on behalf of institutional and corporate clients.
• Depositary Services Depository services for securities registration and settlement for investment funds and other clients.
• Super Nova Loyalty Program Points-based loyalty program offering cashback and rewards across partner merchants for Super Nova Mastercard holders.
• Safe Deposit Boxes Rental safekeeping boxes for retail and business customers to store valuables and documents.

Quantifiable outcome

• CIR reduced from 56.12% to 34.8% over 4 years (2020-2024), demonstrating superior operational efficiency
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• VisaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 March 2026Strategic card partnership offering Visa Business, Visa Gold VIP, and Visa Internet cards with promotional campaigns including 'Doživi Final Four pravo sa terena' EuroLeague sponsorship trip to Athens. Partnership also includes Google Pay integration for Visa cards and Visa Direct for international transfers.
• MastercardflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 November 2025Flagship card partnership with Super Nova Mastercard cards (debit and credit) driving multiple promotional campaigns including 'Tehnika u planu, povrat na dlanu' (cashback on appliances), 'Putuj. Plati. 50 KM vrati.' (travel cashback), 'Vaš business, vaš povrat.' (business card cashback), 'Plaćaj pametnije, vrati 30 KM' (Google Wallet campaign), and loyalty rewards program. Partnership includes co-branded Super Nova and Mastercard Business cards.
• MG MindminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 November 2025Retail partner in 'Tehnika u planu, povrat na dlanu' campaign offering cashback on appliance purchases (50 KM for 300-500 KM spend, 100 KM for 500+ KM spend) at MG Mind stores and online
• PJ Supermarket SlavijaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 November 2025Retail partner in 'Tehnika u planu, povrat na dlanu' campaign offering cashback on appliance purchases at PJ Supermarket Slavija-neprehrana
• HIFA PETROL d.o.o. SarajevocoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 June 2025Fuel discount partnership offering 0.20 KM per liter discount on Tuesdays at HIFA PETROL, HIFA-OIL, and HIFA petrol stations (90+ locations) for Nova Banka cardholders under the 'Svakog utorka toči do vrha' campaign running from June to September 2025.
• HIFA-OIL d.o.o. TešanjcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 June 2025Fuel discount partner in 'Svakog utorka toči do vrha' promotional campaign offering fuel discounts for Nova Banka cardholders
• HIFA d.o.o. TešanjcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 June 2025Fuel discount partner in 'Svakog utorka toči do vrha' promotional campaign offering fuel discounts for Nova Banka cardholders
• CrystalCleanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDry cleaning partner offering 20% discount for Nova Banka cardholders at their location in Banja Luka (Bulevar srpske vojske 15G)
• EuroLeague BasketballminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSports sponsorship partnership with Visa for 'Doživi Final Four pravo sa terena' promotional campaign offering trip to Athens Final Four including tickets, hotel, transfers, and city pass
• HalcomcoreTechnology or IntegrationE-banking technology provider for Smart Nova web banking platform enabling secure certified access for online banking services
• MoneyGramcoreTechnology or IntegrationInternational money transfer service provider enabling MoneyGram transfers at Nova Banka branches for sending and receiving money internationally
• RIA Financial ServicescoreTechnology or IntegrationInternational money transfer service for cross-border remittances available at Nova Banka locations
• TIZIcoreTechnology or IntegrationFree international money transfer service enabling recipients in Bosnia and Herzegovina to receive remittances from abroad at no cost - promotional offer for first 1500 users
• IRB RS (Investiciono-razvojna banka Republike Srpske)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment bank partnership providing IRB RS credit lines for microbusiness in agriculture, entrepreneurs, enterprises, agricultural producers, startup activities, local government units, and World Bank-supported economic support programs for businesses in Republika Srpska
• Garantni fond RScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuarantee Fund partnership offering agricultural loans and business loans with Guarantee Fund guarantees, reducing collateral requirements for borrowers

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• UniCredit Bank BiH: One of the largest banks in BiH, part of Italy-based UniCredit Group. Offers retail and corporate banking with broad product suite; competes with Nova Banka across segments but at significantly larger scale and with international backing.
• Sparkasse Bank BiH: Subsidiary of Erste Group Bank (Austria), providing retail and SME banking across BiH. Overlaps with Nova Banka in retail banking and SME lending but with international backing and broader geographic reach.
• Raiffeisen Bank BiH: Austrian-owned Raiffeisen Bank International subsidiary and one of the leading banks in BiH. Provides full retail, corporate, and investment banking — overlapping with Nova Banka but with deeper capital, broader footprint, and stronger brand recognition.
• Intesa Sanpaolo Banka BiH: Italian-owned subsidiary of Intesa Sanpaolo Group offering retail and corporate banking services. Competes with Nova Banka in retail deposits, loans, and digital banking, but operates as part of a much larger international banking group.

Direct peers

• BBI Bank (Bosna Bank International): Saudi-owned Islamic bank in BiH offering Sharia-compliant retail and corporate banking. Competes with Nova Banka in retail deposits and SME financing, with comparable mid-sized footprint.
• ProCredit Bank BiH: German-owned ProCredit Group subsidiary focused on SME and agricultural lending. Comparable to Nova Banka's agricultural and SME focus, with similar target segments and lending programs.
• ASA Banka: Bosnian privately owned commercial bank headquartered in Sarajevo. Operates retail and corporate banking services across BiH, with comparable scale and customer segments to Nova Banka.
• Addiko Bank BiH: Advent-owned challenger bank in BiH focused on retail and SME lending. Similar mid-sized positioning to Nova Banka, with comparable customer segments and a focus on consumer-friendly digital banking.
• NLB Banka Banja Luka: Slovenia-owned NLB subsidiary headquartered in Banja Luka. Operates as a full-service retail and commercial bank in BiH with similar regional focus, comparable scale, and overlapping retail/SME customer base — making it the most directly comparable peer to Nova Banka.

Regional players

• Ziraat Bank BH: Turkish state-owned Ziraat Bankası subsidiary operating in BiH. Comparable full-service retail and corporate banking offering, though backed by a much larger parent group with Turkish market orientation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/novabanka-banjaluka

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nova Banka