SEB lends Baltic Classifieds Group over €100M to fund share buybacks

What's the deal? Baltic Classifieds Group (BCG), the Lithuanian online listings operator, has secured a loan of more than €100 million from SEBDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → to fund a share buyback programme, the company and bank said. Chief executive officer Justinas Šimkus told BNS the loan exceeds €100 million but declined to name a precise figure; SEB also withheld the amount, citing the parties' agreement.

What's the endgame? BCG runs platforms including Autoplius.lt, Aruodas.lt, CVbankas.lt, and Skelbiu.lt. Under the buyback programme, repurchased shares are cancelled immediately, raising the value attached to each remaining share.

Why now? Šimkus said BCG bought back more than 10% of its own shares over the year to July 2026, and the SEB loan roughly matches the sum spent. The company will ask shareholders in September 2026 for permission to acquire up to a further 15%.

The chief executive tied the timing to the stock price. "Our whole segment has lost an average of 40% in value over the last nine months, and we think the share price is very attractive right now," Šimkus said, arguing the move creates long-term value and dividends for shareholders.

Why it matters: BCG has been listed on the London Stock Exchange since 2021 and was recognised as Lithuania's third technology unicorn in 2023. Šimkus said the deal shows a local bank can offer bespoke structured financing tailored to a company's strategic goals.

The signal: SEB framed the loan as a milestone for Lithuania's financial sector. "This type of financing solution was until recently available only abroad," said Tadas Jonušauskas, head of SEB's business banking unit, adding that the bank plans to extend such solutions to innovative businesses operating in Lithuania and global markets.

Read more: LRT

Image credit: TeaMeister