Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BME:BBVA) has put up for sale Garanti Bank S.A., the local subsidiary of Garanti Faktoring A.S. (IBSE:GARFA), which it controls, according to Ziarul Financiar daily. The sale was prepared by inviting selected investors, in a process coordinated by the investment division of BBVA. Four banks are reportedly interested in potentially taking over Garanti Bank Romania, ZF daily announced.

Profit.ro quoting unofficial sources mentions Hungary's OTP Bank Nyrt. (BUSE:OTP) among the prospective bidders. If an agreement is reached, the transaction will exceed EUR 350 million - EUR 400 million for the bank's capital only [not including bank's loans from the parent group], ZF said.