NLB Banka's Board of Directors Expanded: Newly Appointed Members Receive Necessary Approvals

After receiving the regulatory approval of the Central Bank of Montenegro for the recent appointment of two new members, the Management Board of NLB Bank has been expanded and now has five members. Marko Čelebić and Zarija Milić, with rich professional experience and a proven ability to create additional value in their careers so far, have joined the Board of Directors of NLB Bank.

Their four-year mandate officially begins on February 1, 2025, when the Board of Directors of NLB Bank will consist of five members:

1. Martin Leberle, President

2. Dražen Vujošević, member

3. Lana Đurasović, member

4. Marko Celebić, member

5. Zarija Milić, member.

On this occasion, Martin Leberle, Chairman of the Board of Directors of NLB Bank, emphasized: "Motivated by the accelerated growth in the past period, as well as the potential of the Montenegrin economy, NLB Group wants to strengthen its commitment to the Montenegrin market by expanding the Bank's Board of Directors. With this expansion, we will further strengthen the focus on client satisfaction, digitalization and our ability to innovate. I am glad that we have found the right people and I look forward to their entry into the Board of Directors of NLB Bank with pride, joy and confidence."

Antonio Argir, member of the Board of Directors of NLB d.d. and the president of the Supervisory Board of NLB Bank AD Podgorica, added: "Montenegro has made great development steps in the past period. Our NLB Bank Podgorica has also shown significant growth and improved results. In NLB Group, we see a lot of potential for further growth of the Montenegrin market. This is also the key reason why we are expanding the Bank's Board of Directors. I am sure that Zarija Milić and Marko Čelebić, with their rich experience, will further strengthen the focus on commerce, i.e. clients, and on digitization, i.e. customer experience, thus additionally strengthening our position in Montenegro."

NLB Group is the largest banking and financial group with headquarters in this region. This year, the new, ambitious NLB Strategy 2030 was adopted, with the aim of doubling the balance sheet, income and profit of the group by 2030. The strategy focuses on three key directions: improvement of basic banking products and services, leadership in financing the green transition, and support to small and medium-sized enterprises and commercial banking with careful risk management. The goal of NLB Bank is to become a leading bank in Southeastern Europe, with a special focus on digitization and sustainable finance, which confirms its unwavering commitment to the development of the region and the progress of society, increasing financial inclusion and fighting the gray economy.

Marko Čelebić, member of the Management Board of NLB Bank (CMO), responsible for the areas of business with individuals and legal entities, digital channels and new products.

Marko Čelebić is an experienced banking professional and a long-time member and friend of NLB Group, who built his entire career in NLB Group. He joined the bank in 2010 as a manager in the sector for legal entities, long-term and investment loans of NLB d.d. Ljubljana, and in May 2018 he was appointed Senior Advisor to the General Director for the International Market. For the next two years, he was at the head of NLB Crna Gora DOO, also performing the responsible position of general director of NLB InterFinanzAG in the period from 2016 to 2024. He joined NLB Bank Podgorica in February 2021, when he was appointed Advisor to the Management Board (CMO) and Director of the Corporate Business Sector. From July 2022 until his recent appointment as a member of the Board of Directors, he held the position of Executive Assistant to the Board of Directors (CMO) and director of the business sector with legal entities. With his knowledge and many years of experience in executive positions in the NLB Group, he will undoubtedly make a significant contribution to the further development of NLB Bank AD Podgorica.

Zarija Milić, member of NLB Bank's Board of Directors (COO), responsible for the areas of information technology, project management, processes and logistics, business support, payment transactions, FinTech, cash management and data management.

Zarija Milić is an experienced expert in the banking sector with more than 20 years of experience in managing complex operational processes, IT, digital transformation, cyber security, operational resilience and strategic planning. He started his career in 1999 at Jugodata as an IT engineer responsible for the development and maintenance of information systems, which he later continued at USAID and the media concern "Vijesti". He joined the banking sector in May 2015 by engaging in Hypo Alpe Adria Bank Podgorica, and then in Addiko Bank Podgorica. In December 2020, he joined the Addiko Bank Group, where he led the IT Group and the development of the strategy for digital transformation, with a focus on operational resilience and cyber security, until today.

Throughout his career, he has developed strong expertise in compliance with EU regulatory standards, such as GDPR and DORA, as well as with local regulations, providing strategic and operational support for business optimization and digitalization. Zarija was the President of the Committee for Digitization of the Association of Banks of Montenegro from 2017 to 2022, a member of the Committee for Digitization of the American Chamber of Commerce in Montenegro from 2018 to 2022. In the period from 2020 to 2022, he was a member of the Council for Electronic Administration in the Government of Montenegro and a member of the working group for the implementation of the FATCA Agreement in the Ministry of Finance of Montenegro. His membership in the Management Board of NLB Bank will undoubtedly contribute to increasing efficiency, strengthening security standards and developing innovative services that will position the bank as a leader in digital services that provide a unique user experience.

Facing new opportunities stronger than ever

NLB Bank's strategy focuses on intensive digitization with an emphasis on superior user experience, as well as commitment to sustainable business and development. All this requires and will require in the future even more comprehensive, coordinated and efficient management of both individual business areas and the Bank as a whole, as well as the use of all synergies within the group. The Bank's Board of Directors, supplemented by two new members, is adequately prepared for this challenge and offers the best combination of different knowledge, experiences and competencies.