BT, the first bank in Romania to offer EBRD-funded solutions to cut energy use

Banca Transilvania (BT) is providing loans to improve energy efficiency in the residential sector, funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). BT is also running a campaign together with eMAG to encourage purchases of products with superior energy performance. These offers benefit customers, the environment and the economy, and are part of the “BT, environmentally friendly” activities through which the bank supports green investments.

The EUR 40 million made available to Banca Transilvania by the EBRD form part of the Green Economy Financing Facility in Romania (GEFF) and represent a pioneering financing solution for energy efficiency in Romania’s residential sector. The EBRD launched the Green Economy Financing Facility today, June 27, in Bucharest, to support the residential sector and the business community in making investments that increase the energy performance of homes in Romania.

Details of BT’s “green” investment offer:

-         BT mortgage/home loan for reducing energy consumption: available in lei or euros, with a term of 5–30 years; for loans in lei, the interest rate is reduced by 0.25 percentage points versus standard+ROBOR 6M, and for loans in euros it is reduced by 0.50 percentage points versus standard+EURIBOR 6M; there is no application fee.

-         BT – eMAG campaign (valid until July 26, 2017): when purchasing from eMAG with BT’s Star card — either in full or in installments — a refrigerator, freezer or air conditioner with an A++ energy rating, priced at least 500 lei, a BT customer receives an eMAG gift card worth 50 lei, which can be used for the next online order from the same store. Products included in this campaign are distinctly marked on the eMAG website.

For Banca Transilvania, these offers are a new opportunity to support Romania’s entrepreneurial spirit and the healthy, sustainable growth of the economy. As part of the “BT, environmentally friendly” activities: communications and advertising materials are printed on recycled paper; illuminated signage at BT locations has dusk sensors; expired cards (≈400 kg/month) are destroyed in line with European Union standards; BT’s Head Office has obtained BREEAM “Very good” certification – Sustainable Built Environment; and there are also employee volunteering initiatives such as planting the Transylvania Forest: between 2014 and 2016, 30 hectares were reforested by planting 120,000 saplings.