• Of the nearly 51,500 companies enrolled in the microgrant programme, Measures 1 and 2, almost 31,250 chose Banca Transilvania.
• BT transfers to eligible entrepreneurs the funds received from the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Business Environment within 7 days at most.
• The bank keeps entrepreneurs informed in real time about every stage of the programme.

Banca Transilvania will make the first payments by the end of this week to micro-enterprises, sole traders (PFA) and NGOs that chose BT as partner bank in the government Working Capital Grants programme. The bank has allocated resources to ensure a fast rollout so that funds reach eligible entrepreneurs as quickly as possible. Over 60% of the companies enrolled in this programme have chosen Banca Transilvania.

The bank is currently contacting beneficiary companies to open accounts and/or activate BT products and services that will allow them to manage the grants at lower cost and - for the most part - complete the steps online. Banca Transilvania will transfer to eligible entrepreneurs the funds from the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Business Environment within 7 days at most, and all transactions to and from the BT grant sub-account are free of charge. For companies opting for Measure 3 grants, of up to EUR 200,000 for investments, BT is prepared to offer bridge loans and, where applicable, co-financing loans.

Companies with a single shareholder, as well as sole traders that do not bank with BT, can also open a current account online via NEO Cont. BT clients who do not have online banking will automatically receive BT24. The bank automatically opens grant sub-accounts for BT clients after receiving the list of beneficiaries from the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Business Environment.

Entrepreneurs have access to a chatbot, Raul de la BT, where they can get information 24/7, including about the grants programme, via Facebook Messenger, Skype and on WhatsApp (by adding the phone number 0757 080 006 to their contacts). The bank has also set up a dedicated section on its website for this programme, with useful information for clients such as the Microgrant Guide and the Working Capital Grant Guide.

The programme was launched by the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Business Environment to support companies and the economy. Entrepreneurs whose businesses have been affected by the pandemic can receive funding between EUR 2,000 and EUR 200,000 through the Competitiveness Operational Programme 2014–2020. The programme has three funding schemes: microgrants, working capital grants for SMEs and investment grants for SMEs.