Mega deal for Raiffeisen Bank in Romania

Raiffeisen moves up to third place in Romania

“This deal is a significant strategic move in one of the most attractive banking markets in Central and Eastern Europe,” comments RBI CEO Johann Strobl. His designated successor (from July 1st) Michael Höllerer speaks of a “milestone in our long-term strategy” for the CEE region. Garanti BBVA has a market share of around two percent in Romania. With the acquisition, RBI would become the third largest bank in the country. It is currently in fourth place and serves 2.3 million customers.

At the end of 2025, Garanti BBVA Romania had total assets of around 4 billion euros the Romanian subsidiaries of RBI came into being 17.5 billion euros. Both banks will continue to operate independently of each other until the takeover is approved. Garanti BBVA’s customer business will then be integrated step by step. This process is expected to be completed in the second half of 2027.

Turkish-Spanish bank with a Romanian branch

Garanti was originally founded in Turkey in 1946. The Spanish bank BBVA acquired a stake in Garanti in 2011 and has acquired increasingly larger shares over the years. In 2022 the bank became… BBVA guarantors renamed. BBVA has been the majority owner since 2022. The RBI deal only covers the bank’s Romanian subsidiaries.

Growth expected again after withdrawal from Russia

This is the first significant acquisition for RBI in many years. After the strong focus on the Russian business, which was controversial and difficult to sell because of the Ukraine war, the focus is once again on growth in the core markets. About the Away for the transaction paveaccording to insiders, were announced in advance at a meeting with the Romanian central bank governor Bud Isarescu previous distortions have been resolved, reports the Reuters news agency. RBI boss Strobl had already emphasized at the annual press conference at the end of January that the bank was open to acquisitions.

The Romanian banking market is considered to be highly fragmented, which is why institutions in Eastern Europe are increasingly seeking acquisitions. The market leader is Banca Transilvania. The number two in the market is also Austrian First groupwhich says it also routinely examines opportunities for organic and inorganic growth in the region.