Foundation of Opportunity Bank was initiated back in 2001, when global micro-finance organization “Opportunity International” seated in Chicago was awarded a grant from USAID to establish a project to provide financing to micro and small businesses normally excluded from access to banks. The result of this project was Opportunity Savings Bank, founded in 2002 in Novi Sad. USAID remains our strong and reliable partner ever since, and the partnership was once again sealed by the 2007 conversion from Opportunity Savings Bank into Opportunity Bank, since a significant part of the transformation process was facilitated by USAID. Its support is not limited to financial assistance only, but extends further to guidance, advice and regular contacts and meetings between USAID staff and Opportunity bank’s management team.

The representative of Opportunity Network in Montenegro and one of the leading banks in that country also has successful cooperation with representatives of the USAID Mission in Podgorica. The partnership started in October 2001, when USAID provided funds for transformation of NGO “Micro Credit Montenegro” into Opportunity Bank, and today, apart from micro-credit products, Opportunity Bank also provides a wide range of banking services.

About USAID


Opportunity Bank’s most important supporter in Serbia is the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Since 1961, this independent federal government agency has been the principal U.S. agency to extend assistance to over 100 countries in four regions of the world, including Europe.

Through USAID, the American people are helping Serbia in its transition to market economy and democratic governance. USAID implements its programs in this country on the basis of the Agreement on Economic, Technical and Other Relevant Assistance, which was concluded between US government and government of the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in March 2001. This Agreement was crucial for  introducing a credit origination program targeting small business entrepreneurs in Serbia, of which USAID is instrumental. Support is provided through contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements with American, Serbian and international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) as well as for-profit companies, such as Opportunity Bank.