Download PDF: Business Review Magazine June II 2024 Issue

The June II 2024 issue of Business Review Magazine is now available in digital format, featuring the main cover story titled “Mihaela Bitu, ING Bank Romania: Banking makes dreams come true”. To download the magazine in digital format fill out this form and we’ll make sure to send you a PDF copy.

Editorial: A complex yet interesting future

By Anda Sebesi, Editor-in-Chief, Business Review Magazine

“The Romanian banking sector is one of the main drivers of the local economy, and it has proven to be healthy and resilient over time. It is well capitalised, liquid, and profitable, with a solvency rate currently reaching 23%. According to the In-Depth Review issued by the European Commission this year, the Romanian banking sector’s capitalisation has been relatively stable for several years now. The capital adequacy ratio was 21.6% in Q3 2023, well above the minimum recommended threshold and the EU average.

Profitability reached the highest level in the last 7 years, with a return on equity at 18.3% in Q3 2023, almost double the EU average. With this in mind, we’ve dedicated this month’s cover story to ING Bank Romania, which has a 30-year history on the local market—one that is deeply intertwined with the evolution of the country’s banking system since 1990. The journey began with handwritten payment orders, suitcases full of cash, telex transmissions, and a shortage of hard currency. Today, it continues with advancements in internet and mobile banking and Generative AI. Mihaela Bitu, the CEO of ING Bank Romania, joined the company six months after its entry on the Romanian market, and her career has been closely linked with the bank’s growth and the broader changes in the Romanian banking sector.

Looking to the future, we can be certain that it’s going to bring both challenges and opportunities for the banking sector. Technology is advancing very quickly and it will continue to make the difference between banks, and this is why it is crucial for lenders to continue to focus on innovation and always seek ways to enhance the customer experience.”

In this issue:

• Who’s news:
  • Adrian Ariciu, the CEO of METRO Romania, has been promoted to the top of the METRO group as Executive Vice President for Eastern Europe and Member of the Executive Committee of the Board.
  • Victor Iancu joins EY as Partner and Strategy Leader.
  • Adrian Valentin Pascu was appointed General Manager of Danone Central and Eastern Europe.
  • Cristina Lupascu was appointed Head of Marketing at Cushman & Wakefield Echinox.
  • Ionut Puiu is the new Construction Director of CTP Romania.
• Kuhn Romania announces new investments in local logistics operations
• Leroy Merlin completes EUR 2 million investment in relocating Craiova store
• The first direct flight to the US in 20 years takes off from Otopeni Airport
• Retail investors still looking for real estate opportunities
• Mihaela Bitu, ING Bank Romania: Banking makes dreams come true

• Kaizen Gaming’s Summer of football is here! Leading GameTech company marks unprecedented first for the industry
• Three decades of growth for Avis Romania
• Startup investors eye further AI integration in HR processes
• AI tools and apps quickly taking over IT ecosystem
• Julia Kim: I see Samsung Romania playing a pivotal role in region’s tech sector
• The power of a good BTL activation
• Garana Jazz Festival: The place where music captures people’s hearts
• The best swimming pools in Bucharest
• Pride Month: We are ready

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Anda Sebesi | JOURNALISTS: Aurel Dragan, Mihai Cristea, Miruna Macsim, Romanita Oprea, Oana Vasiliu

CONTRIBUTOR: Ovidiu Posirca

COPY EDITOR: Anca Alexe | PHOTO EDITOR: Mihai Constantineanu | PHOTOS: Dreamstime.com | ART DIRECTOR: Raluca Dumitru

PUBLISHER: Bloc-Notes Media Network ADDRESS: 82-98 Calea Grivitei, 1st floor, Hotspot Workhub, District 1, Bucharest, Romania

SALES & MARKETING MANAGER: Luiza Luca | SALES MANAGER: Alexandra Melenciuc

PRODUCTION: Dan Mitroi | DISTRIBUTION: Eugen Musat

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: George Moise | GENERAL MANAGER: Catalin Alistari | USA MANAGER: Oana Molodoi | FOUNDING EDITOR: Bill Avery