AutoBinck to sell Business Lease Hungary to Merkantil Bank

Business Lease Group BV, part of AutoBinck Group NV, and Merkantil Bank, part of OTP Group, announce today the signing of a binding agreement for the acquisition of all shares (100%) of Business Lease Hungary Kft. (“Business Lease Hungary”). Merkantil Bank is further expanding its range of services by signing an agreement with a well-established leasing provider, marking a significant transaction that will position operating leasing and fleet management services as key focus areas for the bank going forward. The acquisition is still subject to approval by the relevant authorities and is expected to close in September 2026.

In the international leasing market, there is an increasingly strong shift toward complex, service-based solutions. In particular, fleet management services linked to operating leasing are gaining momentum dynamically. Although this trend is already clearly visible in the domestic market, penetration remains relatively low compared to Western European countries. Therefore, this segment offers substantial growth potential.

Business Lease has more than 35 years of experience and is a leading mobility service provider in the Central and Eastern European region, covering the full spectrum of operating leasing, fleet management, and mobility consultancy.‍

Gyula Fatér, Chairman and CEO of Merkantil Bank, in connection with the announcement:

“This transaction marks an important milestone in the strategic development of Merkantil Bank and fits organically into the institution’s renewed business direction: expanding the portfolio and strengthening service capabilities. Following the acquisition of Business Lease, we will further reinforce our position in operating leasing and fleet management services. The transaction provides a strong professional and operational foundation for this.”

Through the transaction, the Merkantil Group also gains significant industry experience and dedicated expertise.

Gábor Kolics, Managing Director of Acquisition and Integration at OTP Bank:

“This is a special transaction for us, as we are acquiring a major domestic player this time. The process was preceded by thorough preparation, requiring close cooperation across several areas—hereby I would like to thank our colleagues for their professional support. The acquisition of Business Lease is significant for the OTP Group’s domestic operations and will further enhance the quality of the services we provide.”

The strength of OTP Group’s domestic ecosystem lies in the fact that customers are offered not isolated financial products, but interconnected services: banking, financing, leasing, real estate, investment, payment, and pension solutions work together to support both retail and corporate needs. The acquisition of Business Lease further reinforces this operating model by expanding the OTP Group’s mobility and leasing service capabilities.

Vincent Weijers, CEO of AutoBinck Group:

“Over the years, the Business Lease team has established a strong and successful footprint across five European markets. In a rapidly consolidating industry, partnering with larger institutions represents the most compelling avenue for sustained growth. The sale of the Hungarian operations to Merkantil marks an important next step in executing this strategy.”

Elias Drakopoulos, CEO of Business Lease Group:

“We believe Merkantil is well positioned to support the future growth of our Hungarian operations and to offer a strong and supportive environment for our colleagues moving forward.”

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AutoBinck Group was advised by A&O Shearman as legal counsel and ING Bank as financial advisor.

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