The European financial services industry announced a 3% year-on-year fall in M&A deals in 2023, with 641 deals across the region, compared to 661 deals in 2022, according to the latest EY financial services M&A analysis. The total disclosed deal value also fell; from €50.0bn in 2022 to €34.7bn in 2023, representing the lowest annual value recorded since 2013. Iulia Bratu, Partner, Head of Lead Advisory, EY Romania: “M&A activity in the Romanian Financial Services sector saw a strong year in 2023, recording 14 transactions, with disclosed-value deals accounting for 10.2% of the total market, at USD 490m. This represented a doubling of the transaction number and 210% increase in deal values and was a particularly positive performance from an historical perspective, supported by landmark transactions in the banking segment such as the sales of Alpha Bank and First Bank’s Romanian operations (USD 319m and USD 138m, respectively). Financial Services M&A within the local market is likely to continue its positive dynamics in 2024, with another milestone transaction such as Banca Transilvania’s acquisition of Hungarian lender OTP’s Romanian operations expected to be announced in the first part of the year.” Sector-specific M&A activity across Europe’s financial markets • The number of European insurance deals rose from 223 in 2022 to 240 in 2023, but the total publicly disclosed deal value halved year-on-year, falling from €18.8bn in 2022 to €9.4bn in 2023. • The number of deals in the European wealth and asset management industry in 2023 was on par with the 206 in 2022. However, again, the total publicly disclosed deal value decreased year-on-year; from €6.6bn in 2022 to €4.9bn in 2023. • In the European banking sector, there were 195 deals in 2023, down from 232 in 2022, with the total publicly disclosed deal value also decreasing year-on-year from €24.6bn to €20.4bn. The number of non-European firms acquiring European targets was down from 96 in 2022 to 81 in 2023, and the total disclosed deal value fell from €18.5bn in 2022 to €17.1bn year-on-year. European firms acquiring targets from other markets fell from 62 in 2022 to 47 in 2023, with total disclosed deal value decreasing from €7.0bn to €2.9bn year-on-year.
Roughly 45.7% of Romanians believe the country’s May presidential elections were rather unfairly organized, while 50.4% believe they were fair, according to a survey by INSCOP Research. Romania's previous presidential elections, which saw centrist Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan emerge victorious, saw extreme polarization. Immediately after...
CARFIL Brasov, central Romania, is set to begin production of three types of Romanian military UAVs this year, news agency Agerpres reported. The drones, named Cuda, Sirin, and a marine drone, were unveiled at the Southeast Europe Special Operations Forces Forum 2025 (SEESOF) in Targu Mures, the first international expo-forum dedicated to the special operations forces. ...
The National Meteorological Administration of Romania, or ANM, aims to become a European regional hub for professional training in the field of climate change, according to director general Elena Mateescu. The official noted during “The Future of Agriculture” forum held on Thursday, June 5, that the ANM has already completed the European Agrometeorology Center, which […]
Romania’s Interior Ministry (MAI) and Defense Ministry (MApN) have warned of ongoing disinformation campaigns on social media aimed at manipulating public opinion. The latest wave of false claims includes reports about the imposition of martial law and border closures, seeking to heighten public anxiety over the risk of war. Romanians, whether abroad or within the […]
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued new recommendations to Romania, among which is an increase in VAT, but also excise duties, dividend taxes, and the introduction of two income tax rates of 15% and 25%. At the same time, it recommends the reduction or elimination of the health insurance contribution, as well as a change in […]
A new section of the Via Transilvanica trail was officially inaugurated on Thursday, June 5, in Brașov county, connecting 18 localities over more than 170 kilometers from the village of Viscri to the heart of Brașov. Named Terra Borza Teutonica, the newly added stretch highlights the natural beauty and rural heritage of the region and […]
