Romania's adult financial inclusion rate has advanced to 71 percent from 68 percent two years ago, reveals the market survey "The Romanians' perception of the banking system: lending and the Romanians' financial inclusion", conducted by the Romanian Institute for Evaluation and Strategy (IRES) and commissioned by the Romanian Banks Association (ARB).According to the survey, approximately 77 percent of men use banking products and services, compared to just 66 percent of women. Also, 97 percent of the higher education population own at least current bank accounts.According to an ARB release, the share of Romanians with no current account is highest among people with low education, low incomes, or over 65 years of age, despite the basic current account being free of charge. By residence, 82 percent of the urban population owns banking products and services, compared to 60 percent of rural adults.Among the top reasons why people do not own a current account, 37 percent of the respondents mentioned too little income, 20 percent said they are paid in cash, 18 percent reported that all payments are made in cash, and 7 percent do not consider it useful. Approximately 70 percent of the respondents with bank accounts say they use debit cards. The credit card is used by 25 percent of the respondents to the survey.The survey was conducted between June and July 2024 at the commission of the Romanian Banks Association on a sample of 1,320 individual respondents, of whom 1,067 are users of banking products, and carries a maximum error margin of +/-2.75%.
Craiova secured second place this year in the annual European Best Destinations competition for the most beautiful Christmas markets. This year marked a record number of votes cast, over 753,000. Craiova's Christmas market garnered over 91,024 votes, of which more than 80% came from outside Romania, a significant increase from last year’s 60,000 votes, 48% […]
On Tuesday, December 3, the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection questioned TikTok representatives about how the company enforces the EU's digital rules in the context of recent elections in Europe, particularly Romania. The EU Digital Services Act (DSA), which came fully into effect on February 17, 2024, imposes strict obligations […]
MINA, the Museum of Immersive New Art in Bucharest, debuts a new multimedia show this week, on December 5. Named Pădurea Magică/The Magic Forest, the production combines cutting-edge technology with an educational story about nature and protecting the environment. The new show uses 360° digital projections, ambient soundscapes, and memorable characters to inspire audiences to […]
The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) said on December 3 that it would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against UEFA's decision regarding the Romania–Kosovo match on November 15. The...
Tens of youths in Romania have suffered fractures and severe trauma following a TikTok trend called the Superman Challenge. The challenge has teens throwing themselves forward with one arm extended, like Superman, to be caught - or not - by friends. Over 20 patients arrived in a single day at the Grigore Alexandrescu Hospital in Bucharest […]
Ford unveiled the Puma Gen-E on December 3 - the new electric car set to be made starting the end of this year at the plant in Craiova, southern Romania. The launch price announced for the local market is EUR 23,900. The car is fully electric, and a model was revealed in Craiova during an […]
