geo/romania
Washington, D.C., August 6th, 2019 – Alpha Bank Romania became the newest member of the SME Finance Forum, a global membership network that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs.
“200 million businesses worldwide need financing to invest, grow and create new jobs. We are proud to have Alpha Bank Romania join our network of more than 150 members who work to expand access to finance for small and medium businesses,” said Matthew Gamser, CEO of the Forum.
Alpha Bank Romania was the first foreign bank established in Romania in 1994 with an extended branch network of 130 units that covers 39 out of 41 counties in the country. Since then, Alpha Bank Romania has developed organically as a universal bank, offering a wide range of services and products, both for individuals and for SME & corporate sector.
“We are looking to expand our SME business by developing new products, services and technologies using the most recent best practices to strengthen our local competitive advantage, and we believe SME Finance Forum is a great network that brings together our key stakeholders”, said Dragos Radu Draghici, SME Division Manager of Alpha Bank Romania.
To see all SME Finance Forum members, please visit: https://www.smefinanceforum.org/members/member-list
About SME Finance Forum
The SME Finance Forum was established by the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) in 2012 as a knowledge center for data, research and best practice in promoting SME finance. As an implementing partner for the GPFI, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) was tasked with managing the initiative. In 2015, the SME Finance Forum partnered with CapitalPlus Exchange to expand and upgrade the former Small Business Banking Network.
About Alpha Bank Romania
Alpha Bank Romania was the first foreign bank established in Romania in 1994. Since then Alpha Bank Romania has developed organically as a universal bank offering a wide range of services and products, both for individuals and for SME & corporate sector. The bank ranked eighth in the Romanian banking system in 2017 with a market share in terms of assets of 3.66% (the latest official data from NBR Annual Report, 2017). Its extended branch network of 130 units covers 39 out of 41 counties in the country. Its credit portfolio is well balanced 53% to individuals and 47% to companies (Mar 2019). After being pioneer in launching housing loans in 2001, it was the first bank launching cover bonds in 2019. Moody's ratings agency rated the bank with Ba2.
Media Contact
Carina Carrasco
ccarrasco@worldbank.org
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