Management Board of NLB Banka a.d. Banja Luka
Goran Babić was born on 19 July 1975 in Banja Luka. He graduated from the Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade, in 1999. He started his professional career in 2000 at the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Srpska, where he passed the state exam, and in 2003 he passed the bar exam at the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Srpska.
After the arrival of Hypo Group on the market of Republika Srpska, in June 2002, he started working at Kristal Bank in the position of expert associate for legal affairs in the Department of Legal Affairs. In 2003, he was appointed director of the Legal Department at Hypo Alpe-Adria Banka a.d. Banja Luka. After the introduction of the anti-money laundering function in the Department's Framework, he was responsible for its work and operations. In 2006, after the change in the organization, in addition to the previously mentioned positions, he took over the duties and responsibilities of the Administration Department, and after the establishment of the Compliance position, he also performed these duties.
In 2009, he temporarily assumed the responsibilities of a Management Board member for Risk (CRO), spending three months in Klagenfurt within various Risk Departments of the Hypo Group. In June 2010, he was appointed Management Board member responsible for Corporate and Public Sector Clients (CMO). From June 2012 to March 2016, he served as a Director at Hypo Alpe-Adria a.d. Banja Luka, and subsequently as an Advisor to the Management Board until June 2016.
In August 2016, he joined the law firm Karanović & Nikolić in Belgrade, became a licensed attorney after passing the bar exam, and was registered with the Bar Association of RS in October 2016. He practiced law across multiple fields, serving both individuals and corporate clients, including advising international clients.
He became a Member of the Management Board (CFO) of NLB Banka a.d. Banja Luka on 1 January 2021, responsible for Asset Management, Investments, Procurement, Security, General Affairs, Compliance, the Secretariat and Legal Affairs, and Human Resources and Organization. On 1 July 2021, he assumed the position of President of the Management Board.
He lives in Banja Luka, is married, and has two children.
Ljiljana Krsman was born on July 16, 1965, in Sarajevo. She graduated from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Sarajevo in 1989, earning a degree in Economics.
Over more than three decades of professional experience, she has built extensive expertise in finance, banking, process management, and strategic development, establishing herself as one of the most prominent professionals in the financial industry of Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
She began her career at one of the largest industrial companies in former Yugoslavia – FAMOS, where she worked as a financial analyst, engaged in complex financial analyses and planning within an organization employing over 13,000 people. In the years that followed, she further developed her expertise through senior roles as a financial consultant, finance director, and auditor in reputable companies and insurance firms, gaining a comprehensive understanding of financial markets and corporate governance.
In 2005, she continued her professional path in the banking sector, joining Hypo Alpe Adria Bank, where she was quickly recognized as a leader early in her career.
At NLB Bank Banja Luka, she started as Advisor to the Management Board in February 2022, and as of April 1, 2022, she was appointed Member of the Management Board, responsible for the Retail and Micro segments, Product Management, Digitalization, as well as Projects and Processes. In this role, she is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that enhance customer experience, digital transformation, and sustainable business growth.
Under her leadership, significant projects have been implemented, including improvements to digital channels, optimization of lending processes, strengthening of offerings for small and medium-sized enterprises, and the development of innovative products.
Ljiljana Krsman business philosophy is based on delivering a balanced experience between digital and traditional banking, alongside continuous transformation toward a customer-centric organization. Her vision focuses on empowering clients through innovation, sustainable growth, and exceptional services, while continuously improving processes and developing teams that share the same values.
As a Member of the Management Board, she is strongly committed to the further development of a constructive corporate culture — creating an environment of equal opportunities that fosters collaboration, innovation, and continuous business growth. Under her strategic leadership and team engagement, NLB Bank has pioneered the introduction of numerous digital channels and platforms, significantly enhancing the customer experience:
- eKlik and mKlik applications
- NLB Pay application with integrated Google Pay and Apple Pay
- Launch of the Garmin Pay platform
- Digital First – the possibility of using any NLB card through online platforms immediately after approval
- NLB Smart POS platform for entrepreneurs
Ljiljana Krsman lives in Banja Luka, is married, and is a mother of two.
As of May 1, 2026, Živko Šiftar is a Member of the Management Board at NLB Bank Banja Luka, responsible for managing the Bank’s operational activities, including payment systems, information technology, real estate management, procurement, projects, and business process improvement.
Previously, as of January 1, 2024, he held the position of Member of the Management Board responsible for Risk Management (CRO), where he oversaw risk management, credit analysis, collections and non-performing asset management, as well as compliance monitoring.
He brings more than 20 years of experience in the financial and banking industry to the position, including over 13 years in leadership roles across risk management, credit analysis, corporate banking, as well as restructuring and real estate management.
Prior to joining the Management Board of NLB Banka Banja Luka, he served as Director of Privatinvest d.o.o, a real estate management company, where he was responsible for preparing the company for integration and acquisition by the NLB Group.
He has further built his professional experience as an independent advisor in financial analysis and restructuring, and spent five years as Deputy Chief Risk Officer (Deputy CRO) at UniCredit Bank Slovenia. He began his banking career at the same bank, where over a period of 14 years he held various managerial positions in credit analysis, risk management, special credit exposures, and management of the mid-sized enterprise segment within corporate and investment banking.
He graduated from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Ljubljana, majoring in Finance, and has continuously enhanced his expertise through numerous professional trainings in management, mentorship, business efficiency improvement, and decision-making.
He is fluent in English, German, Croatian, and Serbian.
As of May 1, 2026, Ivana Lazarević Soldat serves as a Member of the Management Board of NLB Bank Banja Luka, responsible for risk management, credit analysis, collections, and non-performing asset management, as well as for monitoring the Bank’s compliance.
She has built her professional career in the fields of finance, audit, and risk management, with more than 25 years of experience in the banking and consulting sectors. She was born on April 5, 1981, in Svilajnac, and lives and works in Banja Luka.
Ivana Lazarević Soldat obtained her degree in International Business in the United States. She is a holder of the internationally recognized ACCA qualification, a certified accountant and auditor in Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as a certified auditor in the Republic of Serbia. She continuously invests in her professional development through advanced training, certifications, and specialized education in banking risk management and leadership, including programs at the international level.
She began her professional career at Ernst & Young in Belgrade, where between 2004 and 2018 she advanced to the position of Audit Manager and Certified Auditor, working on numerous audit and advisory engagements for companies and financial institutions across the region. She later continued her career at Ernst & Young in Sarajevo, where she served as Audit Manager until 2020.
In the same year, she joined NLB Banka Banja Luka, initially as an Advisor to the Management Board, then as Director of the Financial Accounting and Controlling Division, and subsequently as Director of Strategic Risks, successfully transitioning from finance to risk management.
Throughout her career, she has led and developed numerous teams, participated in transaction advisory projects, debt analysis, and asset quality assessments of banks and companies in the region. She is particularly recognized for her strong leadership skills, employee development, and contributions to enhancing organizational culture.
She is fluent in English and has a working knowledge of French.
