Robert Anghel is the new CEO of Salt Bank, part of Banca Transilvania Financial Group. Prior to this position, he was Chief Business Officer at the same bank. Gabriela Nistor, who has led Salt Bank since 2022, is stepping down from her executive role but will continue to contribute to the bank’s strategic direction and next stages of growth as a member of the Board of Directors, according to Market Screener.
Launched in 2024, Salt Bank-Romania’s first 100% digital bank-is now among the top 10 banks in terms of customer numbers, exceeding 700,000. At the end of 2025, the bank had approximately 2 billion lei in assets and a team of over 400 people.
The message from Banca Transilvania Financial Group:
”We wish Robert Anghel every success in his new position at Salt Bank. The handover comes at a time when the bank has a solid customer base and is experiencing rapid adoption, and the next stage involves scaling the business, consolidating its market position, and accelerating innovation. His experience makes him the ideal person to continue the strategic direction that has been set and to take Salt Bank to the next level of maturity, operational efficiency, and performance. We thank Gabriela Nistor for her essential contribution to the launch of Romania’s first 100% digital bank and for her 30-year career at BT, continuing the success story as a member of the Board of Directors at two of Banca Transilvania Group’s companies, Salt Bank and BT Direct”, said the press office of the Romanian bank.
Continuity in leadership
”I am truly grateful for the trust that the Board of Directors and Gabriela have placed in me. This trust feels like a great responsibility, like a clear commitment to carry on what we have built together and to do banking, but the way you want it. We are not changing anything that has brought us here. We are continuing in the same way: with speed, direction, and great attention to detail. We are growing further, but we remain close to people and their everyday experiences. That is what defines us”, said Robert Anghel.
”Less than two years ago, we launched Salt Bank, Romania’s first 100% digital bank. It has grown spectacularly, but more importantly, it has grown meaningfully. Today, Salt is no longer just the story of a bold launch, but clear proof that its success was no accident. It has become a benchmark in the market, including for expertise, and a name that naturally comes to mind when you say digital banking. For me, Salt is undoubtedly the most beautiful project. A real gift for my entire career”, said Gabriela Nistor.
Who is the new CEO of Salt Bank?
Robert Anghel has over 25 years of experience in digital transformation and banking. Before joining the Salt Bank team, he coordinated digital transformation programs worth over €100 million, launched platforms used today by millions of customers in Europe and Asia, and was involved in mergers and acquisitions. He is a graduate of the Polytechnic University of Timișoara and holds an MBA from the University of Illinois, specializing in Mergers & Acquisitions.
The Romanian financial sector has reached a digital tipping point with the aggressive expansion of Salt Bank, the country’s first home-grown neobank. Launched as a bold reimagining of the former Idea Bank following its acquisition by the Banca Transilvania (BT) Group, Salt Bank has moved beyond its initial “founder” phase to become a serious contender for the digital wallets of Romania’s tech-savvy generation.
The Architecture of a 100% Digital Experience
Salt Bank was engineered to compete not just with local traditional banks, but with global fintech giants like Revolut and Starling. By leveraging a cloud-native infrastructure, the bank offers a seamless onboarding process that takes less than five minutes, marking a radical departure from the paperwork-heavy history of Romanian banking.
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User-Centric Design: The Salt app is built on the principle of “simplicity first,” offering multi-currency accounts, instant virtual card issuance, and real-time spending analytics.
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The “Founder” Ecosystem: In an innovative marketing move, Salt Bank incentivized early adopters by offering them “founder” status, which includes a share in the bank’s future success through a points-based loyalty system and exclusive metal cards.
Strategic Positioning: The Best of Both Worlds
One of Salt Bank’s primary advantages in 2026 is its unique hybrid nature. While it operates with the agility and tech stack of a startup, it is backed by the stability and capital of Banca Transilvania, the largest banking group in Southeast Europe.
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High-Yield Savings: To gain market share, Salt has consistently offered some of the most competitive interest rates on the Romanian market for both Sight Accounts and Term Deposits.
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Transparent Fees: The bank’s “No Hidden Fees” policy has resonated with users tired of traditional maintenance costs, offering free interbank transfers and competitive exchange rates.
| Feature | Salt Bank (2026) | Traditional Banking Average |
| Account Opening | 100% Digital / 5 Mins | Branch Visit Required / 1-2 Hours |
| FX Exchange | Mid-market rates | 1-2% Markup |
| Maintenance Fee | 0 RON | 5-15 RON / Month |
| Customer Support | 24/7 In-app Chat & Human Support | Limited Hours / Phone Queues |
Innovation in 2026: Beyond Basic Transactions
In its second year of full operation, Salt Bank has introduced several features that cater to the evolving needs of the Romanian “prosumer.”
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Investment Integration: The app now features a simplified micro-investing module, allowing users to buy fractional shares in top international companies and ETFs directly from their balance.
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Sustainability Tracking: Every transaction made with a Salt card is automatically calculated for its estimated carbon footprint, allowing users to offset their impact through local reforestation projects.
Challenges: Trust and Financial Inclusion
Despite its rapid growth, Salt Bank faces the persistent challenge of deep-rooted skepticism among older demographics in Romania. While the urban youth have flocked to the platform, the bank is now focusing on “Human-Centric Digitalization”—ensuring that their AI-driven support is backed by accessible human experts to build long-term institutional trust.
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