EBRD’s investments in Romania went up 16.5% to some EUR590 million last year, the sixth highest volume invested in a country. The bank has invested about seven billion euros in some 370 projects in Romania so far, mobilizing more than EUR14 billion for such projects from other funding sources, as well.
EBRD has been a major supporter of the Romanian banking system over time, holding stake in the largest banks, BCR and BRD, as well as in Alpha Bank and Banca Transilvania and participating in privatization processes in the sector. EBRD is now Banca Transilvania’s largest shareholder, with about 15%.
At the onset of the crisis in 2009, EBRD participated along with the International Monetary Fund, the European Commission and the World Bank to the EUR19.95 billion loan Romania got, its highest ever, which was almost equal to half of the country’s budget for that year.
In 2012, EBRD pledged support for the Romanian banking system under a new three-year strategy, by buying shares in banks and by lending, which included capital increases. To support local capital market, EBRD announced it intended to participate in bond issues of local banks as an anchor-investor.
EBRD also bought 4.99% in the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB.RO) in November 2014, thus announcing support for Romania’s government program to develop the capital market and improve its operation, liquidity and availability of bond and stock offerings.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)