“In 2024, we were where it matters, standing alongside people and businesses in Romania, providing financial solutions and support to help them grow and confidently plan for the future. We financed 6,500 companies that generate 280,000 jobs, fostering economic opportunities and the expansion of local businesses. We have accelerated digitalization in BCR for simple, fast and personalized banking, and we have brought financial education to over 1.8 million Romanians, through Money School, but also through our Financial Coaching service, which help us offer our customers a financial plan tailored to their life goals. Moreover, we launched ZBOR, an ecosystem dedicated to young people in Romania, providing the new generations with the resources they need for personal and professional development.
Our results reaffirm BCR’s role as a strong partner for Romania’s economy and strengthen our belief that strategic investments in digitalization and education are essential for growth. We look toward the future with confidence and responsibility, ready to support a stronger, more connected, and more relevant Romania. And together with our more than 5,200 colleagues and 3 million clients, we will continue to build our banking model, rooted in expertise, integrity, and long-term vision.” said Sergiu Manea, CEO Banca Comercială Română
Financial highlights for BCR Group in 2024
BCR achieved a net profit of RON 2,767 million (EUR 556 million) in 2024, up by 19.2% against RON 2,321 million (EUR 469 million) in 2023, driven by improved operating result underpinned by significant advance in customer business.
Operating result improved by 19.3% to RON 3,825 million (EUR 769 million) in 2024, from RON 3,206 million (EUR 648 million) in 2023, on the back of strong increase in operating income and well managed operating expenses.
Net interest income increased by 20.4% to RON 4,401 million (EUR 885 million) in 2024, from RON 3,656 million (EUR 739 million) in 2023, driven by higher business volumes.
Net fee and commission income improved by 11.4% to RON 1,128 million (EUR 227 million) in 2024, from RON 1,013 million (EUR 205 million) in 2023, driven by higher transactional business.
Net trading & FV result decreased by 6.3% to RON 517 million (EUR 104 million) in 2024, from RON 552 million (EUR 112 million) in 2023.
Operating income increased by 15.6% to RON 6,096 million (EUR 1,225 million) in 2024, from RON 5,273 million (EUR 1,066 million) in 2023, driven by improved net interest income and net fee and commission income.
General administrative expenses reached RON 2,271 million (EUR 456 million) in 2024, up by 9.9% in comparison to RON 2,067 million (EUR 418 million) in 2023, on the back of successful execution of some large projects and campaigns during 2024.
As such, cost-income ratio improved to 37.3% in 2024, versus 39.2% in 2023.
Accelerated digitalization
‒ 2.53 million users of George digital ecosystem (internet banking and mobile banking), of which 2.16 million active George app users up by 16% year-on-year.
‒ Approximately 2 million BCR products were opened digitally, highlighting how George has expanded access to financial services through a simple, secure, and accessible 24/7 user experience.
‒ 60,000 customers activated the George Bills option within the first three months of its launch, with over 36,000 bills paid through the service. The new feature covers 350 service providers in Romania, enabling George users to quickly manage bill payments with flexible options: barcode scanning, uploading an invoice image, or connecting the provider’s online account.
George for your business
‒ Over 160,000 companies are enrolled in George for business, a unique digital ecosystem in Romania. In 2024, more than 63% of eligible customers started their relationship with the bank through Digital Onboarding, and almost 70% of the microenterprise lending was granted through our portfolio of digital products including Digital Overdraft, George Smart Credit, George Credit Card and IMM Invest Credit Line.
‒ 82% of IMM Plus 2024 loans granted to microenterprise clients were approved through a 100% digital process within George. BCR has enabled entrepreneurs to access the IMM Plus credit line directly from George, with loan approval in just a few minutes.
‒ The digital solutions portfolio has also expanded with the launch of George SmartEU. Over 78,000 entrepreneurs have received information or guidance on financing programs from European or national funds through BCR’s ecosystem—George, George SmartEU, and the ADA chatbot dedicated to financing programs. George SmartEU has integrated 49 financing programs, grants, and financial instruments.
‒ The ecosystem expansion also meant the digitalization of the most requested types of operations, including account opening in any of the 14 available currencies, and the opening of dedicated accounted for government projects.
‒ George Store is the largest marketplace for entrepreneurial solutions, offering access to a wide range of services with special offers: healthcare (MedLife, Regina Maria), cybersecurity (Bitdefender), digital solutions (TransSped digital signature for individuals and companies), legal services (QuickLegal), business services (Edenred), online payments (Global Payments), leasing (auto financing, equipment leasing), billing solutions (Banqup, EasyBill), business administration (Regnet, SOLO).
Community care
‒ In 2024, a 2-million-euro investment was made to launch ZBOR, the largest ecosystem in Romania dedicated to young people aged 14 to 25. ZBOR includes seven physical hubs (in Constanța, Iași, Cluj, Brașov, Ploiești, Târgu-Jiu, and Baia Mare), a dynamic non-formal education curriculum, a mentorship program, and an online platform that will soon be available to help young people prepare for the jobs of the future.
‒ In September 2024, following the floods in Galați county, BCR donated EUR 200,000 as a sign of solidarity and mutual support to Galați Community Foundation, in addition to the EUR 200,000 donated by BCR customers through our George platform. The money were used to ensure the continuity of education for children in the affected areas by supporting the school rehabilitation and providing teaching materials for both students and teachers.
‒ In December 2024, the Studio Hall of the Constanța State Theatre officially reopened after undergoing a renovation process supported by BCR, which contributed with EUR 200,000.
‒ BCR also supported the development of the Ivan Patzaichin Museum – Community Innovation Center with a EUR 250,000 investment. Opened to the public in May 2024, the museum welcomed approximately 18,000 visitors last year. Located in Mila 23, this cultural space honors the legacy of legendary champion Ivan Patzaichin, while promoting sustainability education, innovation, and tourism in the Danube Delta.
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