With a strong background in corporate banking, Weiss, 53, had been recruited by the Greek-held Eurobank to turn Bancpost around and consolidate its business in part by boosting the corporate segment revenue, to match the potential of the bank. The banker took charge of the corporate banking division himself, using his expertise in this field.
He came close to meeting the target of returning Bancpost to profit last year, after a long time of losses, but even though he did not attain it, the bottom line improved by Romanian accounting standards compared with the previous years.
When he took the reins at Bancpost in January 2011, Weiss was already familiar with the Romanian banking market, having been CEO of RBS Romania (the former ABN Amro), from 2005 through 2009. His departure from his position at Bancpost is surprising, considering it has been barely a year and a half since he took it. According to banking sources, he said it was for personal reasons. Weiss family lives in Greece so he travels often from Bucharest to Athens and back.
Weiss’ departure comes at a bad time when everyone is watching the Greek-held banks because of the unprecedented crisis their home country is going through.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)