KBC Group strengthens its position in Central Europe with the acquisition of Business Lease in the Czech Republic and Slovakia

Core Insights - KBC Group has signed a binding agreement to acquire 100% of Business Lease s.r.o. in the Czech Republic and Business Lease Slovakia s.r.o. for a total consideration of 72 million euros, with the deal expected to close in Q1 2026, pending antitrust approval [1][2][3] Company Overview - Business Lease Group, part of AutoBinck Group NV, is a leading provider of operational leasing and fleet management, managing over 30,000 vehicles and employing 244 staff, with its headquarters in Prague [4] - ČSOB Leasing is a leading asset finance institution in the Czech Republic with approximately 16% market share, serving 25,000 clients, and offers a broad range of leasing services [5] - ČSOB Leasing Slovakia is the leading company in the Slovak leasing market, focusing on car financing for both retail and business clients, providing various financing solutions [7] Strategic Implications - The acquisition will enhance KBC Group's leasing activities in Central Europe, positioning it as a top 5 player in the Czech operational leasing market with around 15,000 vehicles and a top 3 player in Slovakia with around 10,000 vehicles [2][3] - The integration of Business Lease with ČSOB Leasing is expected to create operational efficiencies, improve customer experience, and unlock significant synergy benefits, including cross-selling opportunities [3] - This acquisition is part of KBC Group's broader strategy to strengthen its market position in both countries and pursue growth opportunities across all segments [3]