February 7, 2011 is a date Madalina Simionas has etched firmly in her mind, because that’s when she began her transformation into one of the #PeopleAtTheBank we admire for their professionalism and character!

Looking back, Madalina knew exactly where she wanted to get to: “I graduated in Finance and Banking and I really wanted to work in the field. (...) I didn’t realise it then, but I made a good choice — after all, we’re talking about a bank with a history in Cluj, founded in Cluj, and I think that made BT more sought-after. I wanted to work here.”

Once she joined the profession, step by step, Madalina worked her way over the years to her current role as an SME relationship manager: “I started in cash operations, then I was in the front office, I worked in retail lending, and later moved to business lending. Going through all the stages at BT has helped me a lot in how I work with clients.”

As an SME relationship manager, Madalina is always in touch with her clients and ready to respond to any question or request, while also making sure they’re doing well and that things are on track: “Periodically, I either send them an email or call and ask, how are you, hope you’re well — I’m here; feel free to contact me anytime.”

When we asked her to tell us about a typical workday, Madalina laughed: “To me, it feels like a rollercoaster — and the thing is, I like rollercoasters! It’s a day full of adrenaline, dynamic, challenging; no two days are the same. Every day brings new challenges, new requests, new cases, emotions — lots of emotions! From morning till night it’s packed with emotion!”

Because her job involves daily interaction with entrepreneurs, being on the same page in client communication is essential so everyone can end the day satisfied. And there’s a special ingredient in the perfect recipe — empathy:

“Beyond practical knowledge, you have to put your heart into what you do and try to be the kind of person you’d want to meet if you were on the other side of the story…”

…I always try to adapt to and understand a person, whether we’re talking about the bank or everyday life. I try to put myself in their shoes and ask how I’d want things to happen, how I’d want the issue resolved, and what I’d want to feel and receive in return. (…) It’s very important that clients feel we empathise with them, that we’re trying to find the best solutions and that, in the end, we’re a link in making a client’s business plan succeed — we’re on their team.”

Filled with enthusiasm, energy and optimism, Madalina is someone her colleagues enjoy being around. We suspect part of her good mood also comes from all the love she gets from Tasha, her 6-year-old pup — “a dog who’s a real live wire,” as Madalina says.

Madalina loves to travel, and next on her bucket list are New York — with its crowded streets, a vibe straight out of her favourite films and the bustle of a big city — Japan, which offers a totally new and distinctive experience and, last but not least, Disneyland across the ocean, since she’s already been to the one in Paris with a colleague and it was a wonderful experience!

Dear Madalina, wherever you travel in the coming years, we’ll be eagerly waiting for you back home — home at Banca Transilvania. Thank you for being one of our #PeopleAtTheBank! ❤

Photo credit: Vlad Cupsa