UniCredit Bank has been awarded “Bank of the Year in Romania” by The Banker, the prestigious British financial magazine part of the Financial Times Group, in recognition of a landmark year marked by strategic transformation, strong financial performance and the successful merger with Alpha Bank Romania.
A defining year for UniCredit Bank Romania
The year 2025 represents a milestone in UniCredit Bank’s history in Romania, following the successful completion of its merger with Alpha Bank Romania. This strategic move significantly expanded UniCredit’s territorial presence and customer base, strengthening its role in the local banking system.
As a result, UniCredit Bank is now the third-largest financier of the Romanian economy, holding a market share of approximately 13%. At the same time, the bank has broadened its product and service portfolio to better address the evolving needs of retail and corporate clients.
Among the new offerings introduced in 2025 are:
- Brokerage services for shares and bonds listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange;
- Distribution of Fidelis government bonds, supporting retail investors’ access to capital markets.
Leadership and integration driving growth
Commenting on the award, Mihaela Lupu, CEO of UniCredit Bank Romania, emphasized the importance of this recognition in a year of accelerated transformation:
“2025 has been a year of profound and rapid transformation for us, and this award confirms our strong market position. We expanded our customer base and territorial network, while continuing to innovate and deliver high-quality solutions for our clients. This achievement reflects the dedication of our teams united under the UniCredit Bank brand.”
Regional recognition and European positioning
In addition to the national award, The Banker’s latest ranking of the largest banks in Central and Eastern Europe places UniCredit Bank Romania:
- 3rd among banks operating in Romania, and
- 26th in the CEE region.
At group level, UniCredit was also named Bank of the Year in Italy, Austria, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, making Romania one of six countries where the group received this distinction in 2025.
The Banker’s perspective: strategy, investment and digital progress
According to Silvia Pavoni, Editor-in-Chief of The Banker, UniCredit has become one of Europe’s most dynamic banking groups under the leadership of Andrea Orcel, with a strong focus on acquisitions, technological modernization and regional expansion.
The publication highlighted UniCredit’s:
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investment in Alpha Bank in Greece,
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digital banking improvements in Austria,
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technology upgrades in Bulgaria and Bosnia and Herzegovina,
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strong cooperation with SMEs in Croatia,
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and the successful completion of the merger with Alpha Bank Romania.
UniCredit – shaping the future of European banking
Andrea Orcel, CEO of UniCredit Group, stated that the awards reflect record results, continuous growth and innovation across all customer segments, reinforcing UniCredit’s position as a major European banking player.
Through its long-term strategy focused on sustainability, digital transformation and customer-centric solutions, UniCredit continues to strengthen its ambition to become “the Bank for Europe’s future.”
About UniCredit Bank
UniCredit Bank is part of the UniCredit Group, a pan-European commercial bank with a unique service offering in Italy, Germany, Austria and Central and Eastern Europe. Serving 15 million clients across 13 European markets, UniCredit supports individuals, businesses and communities, facilitating a fair green transition and sustainable long-term growth.
In Romania, UniCredit Bank is a leading financial institution, delivering modern banking solutions for retail, corporate and institutional clients, with a strong commitment to innovation, performance and community engagement.
