The BT Vâlcea Branch has relocated to new premises. On this occasion, Felicia Tabîrcă, Director of the BT Vâlcea Branch, gave an interview to the local press about BT’s role in strengthening the community and developing the area.

What does moving into new premises mean for the BT Vâlcea Branch — for the team and for customers?

The new location is more than just a new address. It is a modern, more accessible and friendlier space that allows us to offer customers the experience, comfort and services they deserve, in an environment built around their needs.

In an increasingly digital world, why does it still matter for a bank to invest in new premises, like your branch’s?

Digitalisation is essential and gives customers speed, convenience and more time for what truly matters — their personal lives or more business. At the same time, many customers and entrepreneurs appreciate direct interaction, dialogue and personalised advice.

That’s why we believe in a hybrid model that blends technology with the value of human relationships. A modern branch is not just a physical space. It is where we build relationships, provide advice and find solutions together for development. It also sends a simple, powerful message: we are here, close to our community and our customers. A physical presence builds trust, strengthens relationships and naturally complements the digital experience.

What’s new about these premises compared with the previous location or the other agencies you have in Vâlcea? 

The new premises come with a more accessible and visible location, generous parking, a modern self-service banking area and light-filled spaces designed for our customers’ comfort. An important advantage is that the whole team is now on a single floor, which allows us to collaborate better and be closer to customers. This way, they can find us easily, connect more quickly with the specialists they need and enjoy a simpler, more efficient and more pleasant experience. In short, these premises were designed for accessibility, proximity and a better customer experience.

Which numbers is BT Vâlcea most proud of, and what do they say about BT locally?

We have a strong position in the segment of companies with turnover above RON 3 million, where we hold a market share of over 40%. At the same time, we see significant growth potential in the microbusiness and retail areas. After years of successfully focusing on medium and large companies, we aim to be even closer to entrepreneurs at the start of their journey and to small businesses, convinced that the strength of a community and an economy lies in the number and robustness of small and mid-sized companies.

If you were to point to a key moment in BT’s history in Vâlcea, from 1997 to the present, what would it be?

There isn’t just one key moment, but rather BT’s entire evolution in Vâlcea: from a bank taking its first steps in 1997 to an important financial partner for the local economy. For me, it’s a source of pride to pass by a business and know that, through our work, we have contributed to its development.

Our most valuable achievement remains our closeness to customers, including in challenging periods. In nearly three decades, BT has turned challenges into opportunities and has built a relationship of trust with the entrepreneurs, companies and families of Vâlcea.

What does BT mean to Râmnicu Vâlcea and to Vâlcea? And what does Vâlcea mean to BT?

For Vâlcea, BT means nearly three decades of presence, trust and partnership with local people and businesses. We are present through the branch and 5 agencies in Drăgășani, Horezu and Râmnicu Vâlcea, and one of the agencies close to the branch will be relocated to Shopping City Mall to provide better coverage and greater flexibility for customers, including being open 7 days a week. Beyond banking services, BT means support for entrepreneurs, financing projects that create value and engagement in a community we have grown alongside.

For BT, Vâlcea is more than a market: it is a county with bold, creative and resilient entrepreneurs who have built businesses known nationally and internationally. It is a community with talented people and economic potential that deserves to be promoted more actively, from industry and services to spa, mountain and wine tourism.

The relationship is mutual: BT contributes to Vâlcea’s development, and Vâlcea, through its people, entrepreneurs and projects, contributes to BT’s story and growth.

How has BT engaged with the local community? 

BT has been involved in the local community through financial education programmes in schools and high schools. In just the first half of this year, we delivered 30 hours of financial education, talking with pupils about money, saving, entrepreneurship and the choices that can build a more secure financial future. Children’s curiosity and young people’s interest showed us how valuable these meetings are. At the same time, we have supported community projects through sponsorships — from the Cocoșul de Hurez Festival and the folk festival in Brezoi to initiatives for teenagers passionate about robotics and environmental projects that help them take part in competitions and pursue their dreams.

How would you describe Vâlcea’s entrepreneurial spirit?

Dynamic, creative and resilient, Vâlcea’s entrepreneurial spirit stands out for its ability to identify opportunities, adapt and build sustainable businesses. Vâlcea has given rise to companies that have long surpassed the county’s borders, from strong producers in industry and bakery to retail chains that compete successfully alongside established national and international brands.

That said, the health of an entrepreneurial ecosystem is defined not only by a few flagship companies, but above all by the strength and diversity of small and mid-sized businesses. From this perspective, the local business environment continues to adapt to challenges such as a declining population and a shrinking workforce, and the lack of easy motorway access. Even in this context, Vâlcea’s entrepreneurs have demonstrated perseverance, the ability to reinvent themselves and the willingness to invest in development, confirming that Vâlcea remains a county of resilience and initiative. And that is precisely why it is important to remain by their side.

What does success look like for BT Vâlcea over the next few years, and what role do you think BT will play in the development of the local economy?

For me, success for BT Vâlcea in the coming years will stem from our ability to grow organically, doing business as usual with professionalism and passion, as well as from becoming increasingly active in community life.

We plan to continue financial education programmes in schools and high schools. At the same time, we want to be present in volunteer projects and initiatives that bring value to the community, from environmental actions to partnerships that create more opportunities for those who need support.

I believe a bank’s role is to contribute both to a community’s economic development and to the development of the people who make it up. When people and businesses grow, the community grows too — and for us, that is the most authentic sign of success.

If someone were to write the story of the region, beyond figures and banking, what would you not want to be missing from the chapter about Banca Transilvania?

If someone were to write the story of the region, beyond figures and banking, I would like it to convey the idea that Banca Transilvania has always been about people, entrepreneurship and trust. About the energy to build, the courage to grow and the power to succeed together. BT is a partner to the community and to entrepreneurs, but also a place where people learn, develop and carry this energy forward. The fact that, in 2025, BT was named the most attractive employer in the financial sector for the second consecutive year says a lot about the culture, spirit and people who support our performance.