During the Focus Romaniapanel atthe FT Live – The Central & Eastern European Forum – Where CEE Markets Thrive, held in Vienna on January 13–14, 2026, Banca Transilvania Group was represented by Ömer Tetik, CEO of Banca Transilvania, Aurel Bernat, Executive Director of Financial Institutions and Investor Relations at Banca Transilvania, Daniela Secară, CEO of BT Capital Partners, and Vlad Pintilie, Deputy General Manager of BT Capital Partners.

Ömer Tetik, CEO of Banca Transilvania:

• The beginning of last year was very difficult. There was a slow start and then a strong effort at fiscal consolidation in the second half of the year. However, Romania's figures are still good. They show the resilience we have been talking about for many years: stability, security, and protection for investments.
  
  
• We have a population of nearly 20 million, a young and well-educated generation, still low labor costs, industrial tradition, and significant agricultural potential. We have access to the Black Sea, to transport hubs, we are part of Schengen, and we have investments in infrastructure. Even the year we considered to be the most difficult ended well.
  
  
• Our colleagues at Fitch told us that Romania ranks second in the region in terms of the number of rating requests. This shows that companies are willing and ready for listings and transactions. You don't request a rating unless you feel comfortable with yourself.
  
  
• We see potential in financial inclusion, wealth management, asset management, and other financial services. We will target all segments.
  
  
• A constant presence on the market is essential. Investors want communication and continuity. Once they start investing, they become supporters of your story. We will remain an active issuer, with different structures and currencies.
  
  
• We are seeing growth in the portfolio of loans for investment and industrial production. The real economy is the driving force.
  
  

Aurel Bernat, Executive Director of Financial Institutions and Investor Relations at Banca Transilvania:

• The Romanian capital market grew by over 40% in terms of performance.
  
  
• This year, considering that we had days off at the beginning of January, the stock market index is up 8.7%. It seems that investors are responding positively to the future.
  
  

Daniela Secară, CEO of BT Capital Partners:

• Last year, in the conference hallways, the word I heard most often in relation to Romania was "concern." After yesterday, and looking at this room, the energy is completely different.
  
  
• The perception of Romania is clearly positive.
  
  

The panel also featured speakers Răzvan Popescu, CEO of Romgaz, and Alexandru Chiriță, CEO of Electrica. You can follow the Ziarul Financiar's correspondence from Vienna here.