Banca Transilvania’s net profit reached 4.1 billion RON, up 16 percent in 2025, confirming a solid evolution of the commercial activity and operational efficiency. The gross loan-to-deposit ratio rose to 62.6 percent, 5.4 percentage points above the December 2024 figure, driven by both the acquired portfolios and the organic growth fueled by the high loans’ demand, according to The Diplomat.
Banca Transilvania reached nearly 5 million active customers (retail and corporate) at the end of last year. In 2025, BT attracted over 470,000 new retail customers, to which it added over 130,000 customers which were migrated once the integration of OTP Bank Romania was finished.
The volume of new loans granted to retail clients is 28.1 percent higher compared to 2024, an increase supported in particular by a strong demand for housing loans. The balance of housing loans reached RON 24.9 billion, +29.2 percent compared to December 2024, and represent 23.6 percent of the total loan portfolio as of December 2025.
The number of cards reached over 8 million, while the number of transactions increased by 19 percent compared to 2024.
BT continued to be the main lender of the Romanian economy, mobilizing the highest level of resources in the banking system to provide financing to companies, to population, and for strategic projects in Romania. The bank’s total contribution to the public budget, including taxes, social contributions, turnover tax, and the contribution to the Bank Deposit Guarantee Fund, amounted to RON 2.9 billion, +65 percent compared to 2024.
“2025 was a year of growth for Banca Transilvania Group, with financial results above the market average and the strongest fourth quarter in recent years, strengthening our leadership position. We completed strategic acquisitions and mergers in Romania and the Republic of Moldova. We distributed two rounds of dividends. I would like to thank investors, shareholders and customers for their trust, and the BT Group team for their contribution to these results. We began 2026 with a robust business model, financial discipline and a focus on growth opportunities. We remain committed to supporting the Romanian economy even during periods of volatility, such as the one we are currently experiencing”, declares Horia Ciorcilă, Chairman of Banca Transilvania Board of Directors.
The Romanian banking sector has undergone a profound structural and technological shift over the past decade. Once characterized by a fragmented market and a heavy reliance on physical branches, the industry in 2026 stands as a consolidated, highly profitable, and digitally advanced pillar of the national economy. Despite regional geopolitical pressures and fluctuating interest rates, Romanian banks have maintained robust capital buffers and record-breaking efficiency ratios.
The era of market concentration
The landscape in 2026 is dominated by a powerful “Top 5” group of banks that control over 70% of the market share. The trend of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) has reached a plateau after years of intense activity.
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Local champions vs. Eurozone giants: Banca Transilvania maintains its position as the undisputed market leader, showcasing the strength of local capital. Meanwhile, international groups like Erste (BCR), BRD (Société Générale), and UniCredit have pivoted their strategies toward high-value corporate lending and premium retail services.
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The exit of smaller players: High compliance costs and the massive investments required for cybersecurity have forced smaller or niche banks to sell their portfolios, leading to a more stable but less crowded competitive field.
A digital-first reality
Romania has effectively “leapfrogged” several stages of traditional banking development. In 2026, the mobile app is no longer an alternative to the branch; it is the bank.
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Instant payments as standard: Through the efforts of Transfond and the National Bank of Romania (BNR), instant transfers are now the default for both P2P and B2B transactions, operating 24/7 with zero latency.
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AI-driven lending: Retail credit decisions, which used to take days, are now executed in under five minutes. Banks use advanced machine learning algorithms to analyze creditworthiness by integrating data from the Credit Bureau and ANAF (Tax Administration) in real-time.
Macroeconomic stability and interest rate dynamics
The National Bank of Romania has played a crucial role in navigating the inflationary waves of the mid-2020s. In 2026, the market is seeing a gradual stabilization of the IRCC and ROBOR indices.
| Key indicator | 2026 status | Trend |
| Solvency ratio | ~22% | Well above EU regulatory minimums |
| Non-performing loans (NPL) | <2.8% | Historic lows due to stricter screening |
| Return on equity (ROE) | ~18% | Among the highest in the CEE region |
| Digital adoption rate | >85% | Reflecting the urban-rural tech convergence |
The rise of green finance and ESG
In 2026, the “Green Mortgage” is no longer a niche product. Driven by EU taxonomy and local environmental goals, Romanian banks have aggressively expanded their sustainable portfolios. Financing for energy-efficient homes, solar panel installations, and electric fleet transitions now accounts for nearly 20% of new corporate lending volumes.
The fintech-bank symbiosis
The initial “war” between traditional banks and fintech giants like Revolut has evolved into a strategic coexistence. Traditional banks have overhauled their User Experience (UX) to match fintech standards, while fintechs have sought banking licenses or partnerships to offer more complex products like mortgages and insurance.
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