The card culture in Romania is still not widespread, as many people would rather “feel” the money in their hands. However, more and more banks having tested the waters so far are making the decision to try this banking services market segment, as well.
Alpha Bank launches two cards, which is a first time for this bank, with ABN Amro and Banca Romana de Scont (Romanian Discount Bank-BRS) preparing to launch cards, too. Robert Rekkers, ABN Amro Romania manager announced the Dutch bank branch would soon enter the card market, as well.
At the same time, Banca Comerciala Romana (Romanian Commercial Bank- BCR) is preparing the launch of two new types of credit cards to broaden its offer. The competition getting fiercer shows in more and more sophisticated cards being released, along with related services trying to differentiate the offers.
Alpha Bank Romania this month will enter the card market with two new products: Alpha Visa Electron – a ROL-denominated debit card and Alpha Visa Classic with two accounts (one in ROL and the other in EUR/USD).
Both cards will be available in every branch of the bank as of this month. Alpha Bank also offers a one-year promotional package that includes zero issuing commission, zero administration fees for one year and zero charge for additional cards connected the same account and issued for the client’s family members.
The cards can be used in the entire ATM network in Romania and abroad, provided it should display the Visa and Visa Electron logos.
Alpha Bank will charge a single cash withdrawal fee, that is 0.3%, which is valid for both the bank’s ATMs and for those of the other banks.
Also Banca Romana de Scont (BRS) is planning to launch two types of cards under the Europay/EurocardMastercard brand this month.
The current market leaders are Banca Romana pentru Dezvoltare (Romanian Development Bank- BRD)- Groupe Societe Generale, which claims to have exceeded 510.000 active cards by the end of H1, Banc Post, with more than 502,000 cards issued and Banca Comerciala Romana with more than 450,000 active cards. BCR of all the leaders has the most extensive ATM network, which includes over 300 cash dispensers.
BRD’s main card is Maestro, issued under the Europay brand. Other BRD cards in circulation are the Visa Classic credit card issued in ROL or USD, as well as Visa Electron, Visa Business in ROL or Visa Business in foreign currency.
At present, BRD has more than 200 ATMs installed. Banc Post was registering 424,000 Visa cards and more than 78,000 Europay cards in circulation at the end of H1.
Banc Post has 298 ATMs installed so far, with the total number of cash dispensers scheduled to reach 432.