Lion Finance Group PLC (LSE: BGEO), the LSE-listed banking group operating in Georgia and Armenia, has announced a GEL 62.0 million extension to its share buyback and cancellation programme, approved by its Board of Directors on 4 November 2026. The programme will commence shortly and run no later than the company's Annual General Meeting in May 2027. Cavendish Capital Markets Limited has been appointed to manage the programme, with shares to be purchased in the open market and treasury shares cancelled on a monthly basis. Investors may be watching this announcement as a signal of the group's continued commitment to returning capital to shareholders.

Key Points

  • Lion Finance Group PLC (LSE: BGEO) — LSE-listed banking group focused on Georgia and Armenia
  • Board approved a GEL 62.0 million extension to the existing share buyback and cancellation programme
  • Maximum of 4,084,870 shares may be repurchased; programme ends no later than the May 2027 AGM
  • Investors should watch for further announcements following completion of individual share repurchases

Lion Finance Group's GEL 62.0 Million Buyback Aligns with 30–50% Capital Return Policy

The announcement states that the GEL 62.0 million buyback extension is consistent with the group's established capital return policy, which targets a combined dividend and share buyback payout ratio in the range of 30–50% of annual profits. The programme is structured to reduce the group's share capital, with cancelled treasury shares processed on a monthly basis. The maximum number of shares permitted under the programme is 4,084,870, and all purchases will be made in the open market in accordance with pre-set parameters approved by the board.

Cavendish Capital Markets to Manage BGEO Buyback Under FCA Listing Rules and Market Abuse Regulation

Lion Finance Group has appointed Cavendish Capital Markets Limited as the sole manager of the buyback programme. The company disclosed that the programme will be conducted in accordance with the general share repurchase authority granted at the 2026 Annual General Meeting, Chapter 9 of the FCA UK Listing Rules, and the provisions of Market Abuse Regulation 596/2014/EU and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 as incorporated into UK domestic law. During any closed periods, neither the company nor its directors may alter the programme, leaving execution entirely at Cavendish's discretion.

Bank of Georgia and Ameriabank Underpin Lion Finance Group's High-Growth Market Strategy

Lion Finance Group's principal subsidiaries are Bank of Georgia, operating in the Georgian market, and Ameriabank, its leading universal bank in Armenia. The group describes both markets as high-growth and positions itself as a customer-centric financial services provider across both territories. This capital return programme reflects the group's stated objective of sustaining high profitability and generating strong returns for stakeholders. The concentration of operations in Georgia and Armenia represents a country-specific risk that investors may wish to consider when assessing the group's overall profile.