BCR launches first 100% electric mobile bank in Romania

Banca Comerciala Romana (BCR) is launching the first 100% electric mobile bank, organized in the form of a modular truck that will provide access to modern banking services in rural and small urban communities in Romania.   The initiative is part of BCR’s strategy and complements its program of financial inclusion of local communities, through which it put its first mobile unit into circulation in October 2022, which has already reached 26 rural and small urban communities across the country. The program is run in partnership with Vodafone Romania, OMNIASIG Vienna Insurance Group, BCR Asigurari de Viata VIG and, starting this year, Medlife.   “The success of the financial and technological inclusion pilot program, with which we have reached 26 rural and small urban communities, has confirmed to us that there is a great need and desire for financial and digital education across the country. Now, the launch of the first electric mobile bank and the simultaneous rollout of two BCR mobile units allows us to expand our effort to be present in as many local communities as possible. We aim to reach at least 24 localities by 2025 to initiate an open dialog on how we can support their development and increase financial inclusion. We are confident that, together with the people in these communities, we can build a more prosperous Romania that is better prepared for economic challenges. Building prosperity starts at grassroots level, one person at a grassroots level, community by community, kilometer by kilometer, which is why we are ready to hit the road again.” – Dana Dima, Vice President Retail & Private Banking BCR The new mobile unit, a first in the Romanian financial landscape, is organized inside a modular truck, with a useful space of 60 square meters, which is equipped with all the facilities of a modern bank branch: offices, digital services, multifunctional equipment, terrace and all the necessary functionalities. The mobile unit has a driving range of 400 kilometers and can operate independently from any power source for about 3 hours.   Since the start of the program in October 2022, the first BCR mobile unit has covered more than 11,000 km, visiting 26 localities and supporting financial education workshops for 3,500 participants.   In 2025, the bank aims to continue this effort by: – Simultaneously putting the two BCR mobile units into service to reach as many communities as possible;– Visiting at least 24 rural and small urban communities, providing modern financial solutions, access to financial and entrepreneurship education;– Maturation of the program to strengthen financial inclusion through personalized services and expanding impact among local communities.   The modular truck is manned by two experts, one financial-banking and one specialized in telecommunications and technology, and in some communities there will also be specialists in health services. All daily banking operations for both individuals and companies can be purchased digitally, through George and with the assistance of BCR experts, at the banking desk in the mobile unit: – Current account and debit card openings;– Deposit and savings account openings;– Credit cards and overdrafts;– Access to digital banking (George);– Consumer loans as well as refinancing and restructuring;– Mortgage loans– All types of insurances: income, unemployment and disability; personal property protection, home, PAD and optional; travel insurance;– Pensions– Advice and assistance for the extended range of banking services, including rural financing through BCR Social Finance and leasing through BCR Leasing.   The modular truck is also equipped with a multi-functional, online-connected equipment that can offer the following operations: – Issuing lei or euro in cash;– Cash deposit for both individuals and legal entities;– Currency exchange;– Cash payment of current bills to suppliers;– Reloading Vodafone cards;– Issuing mini statements;– Balance inquiry;– PIN change.