The BT Pitești branch has expanded and modernized to bring Group BT’s services and expertise closer to clients. 28 years after the branch opened, Banca Transilvania works in Argeș with nearly 100,000 individuals and more than 11,000 companies. Cristina Maria Manolescu, Branch Manager, BT Pitești, talks about the new premises, BT’s development in the county, relationships with local entrepreneurs and the bank’s role in the community.

On the expansion and rebrand

The BT Pitești branch went through an expansion and upgrade this year. What are the most important changes for clients?

We expanded and modernized the BT Pitești branch premises based on how clients’ needs and their relationship with the bank have evolved. We wanted a more welcoming, better organized space that offers the right conditions both for day-to-day banking and for meetings where we discuss projects and major financial decisions.

One important change is a dedicated area for corporate clients, as well as reconfigured spaces for meetings and advisory. In the same location, we now also have our regional colleagues from BT Leasing, as well as a BT Capital Partners office. We have also set up a modular room, which we plan to use for meetings with our partners, business events and financial education activities.

We saw this investment as an opportunity to improve not only the space where we welcome clients, but also the way we can work with them. The new premises reflect our commitment to offer clients a modern banking experience, in a space that supports advisory, collaboration and closeness to the needs of the local community.

The refurbished branch brings together teams from BT, BT Leasing and BT Capital Partners. What does this mean for clients?

One of the BT Group’s key strengths is that we can address different financial needs with complementary capabilities and services. By having BT Leasing and BT Capital Partners alongside the bank’s team, we bring that expertise closer to clients in Argeș.

Take the example of a company preparing an investment. Depending on the nature of the project, we can discuss bank financing, as well as leasing solutions for acquiring equipment or vehicles. For companies that reach a stage where they consider alternative forms of financing or development opportunities, BT Capital Partners can provide specialized expertise in the capital markets and investment banking. At the same time, its brokerage services also serve individuals interested in investing in the financial markets.

The value of this setup isn’t just that we bring several services under one roof. What matters is that we can take a broader view of the client’s objectives and, together with specialists across the Group, identify the right solutions for each situation. We have the resources of a strong financial group, and the advantage of knowing the local market and the people we work with up close.

Why is this investment important in an increasingly digital world? 

Because digital and face-to-face interactions address different needs and complement each other. Technology allows us to simplify day-to-day transactions and give clients more autonomy. At the same time, there are financial decisions that warrant a detailed discussion with a specialist.

When an entrepreneur is preparing a major investment or a family is considering long-term financing, the discussion isn’t just about a product’s features. It matters that we understand the objectives, options and implications of each decision. That’s where our people’s experience and advice can add real value.

For us, investments in technology and in the branch network are part of the same strategy: to give clients the freedom to choose how they interact with the bank and access to expertise when they need it.

On BT’s business in Argeș County

What does Banca Transilvania’s presence in Argeș look like today, and what do the numbers say about BT’s relationship with the local economy?

Banca Transilvania’s story in Argeș began on May 4, 1998, with a team of 15 people. Today, 28 years on, we have over 100 colleagues in the branch and across the 11 BT agencies in the county. Almost 100,000 individuals and more than 11,000 companies have chosen to bank with us.

These figures show the scale we’ve reached and how much our relationship with the local economy has strengthened. We have grown alongside the people and companies of Argeș, we have met generations of entrepreneurs and have accompanied many businesses through different stages of their development.

For me, perhaps the most important thing is that this growth has been built over time, through the team’s work and the relationships developed with clients. We now have a strong local presence, which brings both opportunities and an important responsibility: to continue meeting the expectations of a growing number of people and companies. That said, we continue to invest in our local network. We are about to open a new agency in Bascov, to be closer to clients and to meet their needs as well as possible.

You run a branch that works with many of the county’s major companies. What gives you the greatest satisfaction in your relationship with local entrepreneurs and businesses?

I think one of the greatest satisfactions is to follow a business’s evolution over the years and to know that your team has contributed to projects that matter for that company. We’ve had the chance to meet entrepreneurs at very different stages of their development. Some started with small businesses; others already had established companies and ambitious plans. Over time, we came to understand their activity, challenges and how they make decisions much better. This knowledge matters a great deal in a banking relationship because it helps us have meaningful conversations and view each project in the context of that business.

I’m particularly pleased to see the firms we work with investing, growing and taking their plans forward. Beyond the bank’s results, this is one of the most important satisfactions for our team: seeing clients’ progress and knowing we had a role in their journey.

On the community and the future

How do you see Banca Transilvania’s role in the development and support of the local community?

Banca Transilvania is more than a provider of financial services: it’s a partner to the community. By financing local initiatives, supporting financial education and getting involved in high-impact projects, we contribute to the economic and social development of Argeș County.

I believe engagement in a community starts with how you go about your day-to-day activity. For us, this means being a bank that people and companies can rely on, backing viable economic initiatives and building long-term relationships.

At the same time, there are areas where we can contribute through our experience and knowledge. One of these is financial education. Understanding concepts such as saving, lending, budgeting or investing helps people make better-informed decisions. That’s why we want the branch’s new modular room to host financial education sessions as part of FIT – Finanțe pe Înțelesul Tuturor, Banca Transilvania’s program. We now have a space that is right for these meetings and we want to use it for the community’s benefit as well. It’s a concrete way our team’s experience can be useful beyond day-to-day banking.

What would you like Banca Transilvania to mean for the business community and for the residents of Argeș County in the years ahead?

We want Banca Transilvania to remain the first choice for the people and companies of Argeș: a bank that is close, accessible and involved in community life. For entrepreneurs, we want to continue being a partner that understands their businesses and development plans and can offer access to financial solutions suited to each stage. For retail clients, we want to remain a bank where they find both modern services and people ready to listen and guide them.

Over all these years we have built relationships based on trust, and our goal is to take them forward, continuing to grow together with the people, companies and community of Argeș.