PKO Bank Polski, Poland’s largest bank by assets, is set to begin its operations in Romania from early next year. The Polish banking giant’s entry into the Romanian market is driven by the record profitability rates of banks in Romania. In Romania, PKO will exclusively work with corporate clients (SMEs and large companies). The bank will also facilitate financial operations for Polish companies and other international clients looking to start or already operating in the country. PKO Bank Polski has confirmed to wall-street.ro that it will kick off operational activities at its Romanian branch in early 2024. The bank’s attraction to the Romanian market is fueled by the fact that financial institutions in Romania have the highest return on equity (ROE) within the European Union. Compared to Polish banks, Romanian players exhibit double the ROE. “The Romanian banking sector is predominantly owned by European foreign capital banking groups, with almost 70% of the market. The profitability in the Romanian banking market is also high, as demonstrated by the ROE. Romania has consistently ranked among the top countries in the European Union in this regard,” stated representatives from PKO Bank Polski. PKO Bank Polski will not serve individual customers, but aims to assist Polish companies Polish companies have a significant presence in Romania, with over 1,200 firms operating in the market. Representatives from PKO Bank Polski have expressed their desire to act as a bridge between the Romanian market and Polish companies seeking to enter Romania. “We have been monitoring the Romanian market for some time now. Romania’s economy is growing rapidly. Many Polish companies are already investing in the Romanian market, and for some, Romania has become a second home market. The Romanian branch will focus on providing banking services to companies. Currently, the bank has no plans to enter the retail banking sector in the Romanian market. Our main goal is to be the top choice for leading Polish firms and SMEs. Of the top 10 banks in Romania based on asset levels, eight have no presence in the Polish market. This presents an opportunity for PKO Bank to bridge the economies of both countries,” emphasized representatives from PKO Bank. PKO Bank Polski expressed its interest in entering the Romanian market in late 2021, as per the Registry of Credit Institutions published by the National Bank of Romania (BNR). Representatives of the Polish bank noted that the banking regulatory requirements in Poland differ from those imposed by the BNR.
Two Romanians were arrested during Sunday night, May 11, after robbing empty houses in the evacuated mountain village of Brienz located in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. The village had been evacuated since November due to rock falls. The locality was, however, monitored by the authorities to prevent break-ins. The would-be thieves apparently tried to […]
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, or EBRD, has revised its estimates regarding the evolution of the Romanian economy in 2025 downward to 1.6%. The bank expects Romania’s GDP to grow 0.2% less than the 1.8% estimate made in February, and to increase by 2.4% in 2026. Romania's GDP growth slowed to 0.8% in […]
During a meeting on Monday, May 12, the Cluj-Napoca Local Council approved a draft resolution that imposes smoking restrictions in several public spaces in the city, including public transport stations, parks, and sports facilities. The resolution was adopted with 22 votes in favor and 3 abstentions, and will come into effect 90 days from the […]
An internal survey by Romanian Business Leaders, which does not have national representativeness but was answered by 417 entrepreneurs, shows that 62% of entrepreneurs expect to have to make layoffs, while a third expect the number of employees to remain the same. The expected layoffs are directly connected to the possibility of Romania choosing a […]
Romanian Istvan Kovacs will be the main referee for the UEFA Champions League final between Paris St-Germain and Inter Milan, which will be played on May 31 in Munich. The match will be Kovacs’ third European final in the last 4 years. The 40-year-old referee has previously officiated the UEFA Europa Conference League final in […]
Over 70 museums across Romania will open their doors after hours for the 21st edition of Night of Museums, one of the country's most anticipated cultural events. Held on the night of May 17, the event offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore exhibitions, installations, and creative activities in an unconventional, late-night setting. From major […]
