Eda Meta - MSc. International Finance / Global Banking Industry
 
Financial services represent one of the most traditional industries, strongly preserving their conventional practices, throughout the years. Nonetheless, Artificial Intelligence is being embraced by this sector on a faster rate, than many other industries – rapidly revolutionizing its landscape. The reason for that should not come ...

Interview with Mirsad Haliti, General Director of ProCredit Bank Albania
 
Problems in the functioning of the judicial system limit the full use of the banking sector’s potential, especially in the field of lending. Mirsad Haliti, General Director of ProCredit Bank Albania, tells “Monitor” that a faster and more effective dispute resolution system would contribute to increasing legal certaint...

The growth in lending, especially in real estate and large businesses, reflects an expanding economy and a dynamic economic environment. Bozhidar Todorov, CEO of First Investment Bank Albania (Fibank), believes that it is essential, however, that this growth is sustainable and well-managed.
He says that banks are aware that the real estate market can be sensitive to price fluctuations and can pos...

Interview with Flutura Veipi, CEO of Union Bank
 
The high growth in credit has followed the performance of the most active sectors with a high contribution to economic growth. Flutura Veipi, CEO of Union Bank, tells “Monitor” that, however, the growth in real estate financing poses a risk of concentration and can create an excessive dependence on a single sector. For this reason, according to her...

Interview with Andi Ballta, CEO of American Investment Bank (ABI Bank)
 
Nëntitull: The reduction in loan interest rates and treasury bond yields, the increasing liquidity in the country, the need for infrastructure works, the healthy growth and strengthening of Albanian companies have created a stimulating environment for the development of the corporate and infrastructure bond market.
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 2024, a year of great achievements for Tirana Bank
 
Interview with Dritan Mustafa, CEO of Tirana Bank
 
The increase in lending during 2024, especially in the real estate sector and in the corporate segment, is in line with the structural developments that the Albanian economy is experiencing. Dritan Mustafa, CEO of Tirana Bank, tells “Monitor” that for four or five years in a row, the role of t...

 
 
Interview with Bledar Shella, CEO of OTP Albania Bank
 
The real estate market still offers a positive picture. Bledar Shella, CEO of OTP Albania Bank, tells “Monitor” that, seen from the perspective of banks, the real estate market is an underfunded sector in relation to its size. Mr. Shella believes that there is still potential for growth, especially in mortgage loans.
However, he emph...

 
Interview with the CEO of Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania
 
 
High demand for real estate and corporate lending have been factors with a significant impact on banking activity. Alessandro D’Oria, CEO of Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania, says in an interview with “Monitor” that this requires a disciplined approach to risk management and responsible lending.
He believes that the Bank of Albania’s re...

Interview with Christian Canacaris, CEO of Raiffeisen Bank Albania
 
The rapid expansion of lending in the real estate sector and in the large business segment, could bring concerns for the banking sector if banks do not strengthen risk criteria. Christian Canacaris, CEO of Raiffeisen Bank Albania, tells “Monitor” that in the corporate segment, the increase in large exposures amplifies concentrati...

Interview with Maltin Korkuti, CEO of Credins Bank
 
The increase in lending in the real estate and large business sectors must be accompanied by an in-depth risk analysis and prudent assessment criteria. Maltin Korkuti, CEO of Credins Bank, tells “Monitor” that the increase in lending in the real estate and large business segments reflects a positive dynamic of the economy and an increased d...

Interview with Seyhan Pencabligil, CEO of Banka Kombëtare Tregtare (BKT)
 
In 2025, banks are expected to pursue an aggressive lending strategy, which could spark a price war between them. Seyhan Pencabligil, CEO of Banka Kombëtare Tregtare (BKT), says in an interview with “Monitor” that the expected reduction in interest rates could put pressure on banks’ profit margins. As a result, he believes ...

Banks with local capital increased their market share again in 2024. The figures show that the banking market is less concentrated and more competitive for key indicators. For the first time in 20 years, a new bank is expected to be licensed.
 
The year 2024 confirmed a further trend of growth of the domestically-owned banks market and a decline of those with foreign capital. Together, domes...

The banking sector closed another good year, with high profits and the highest credit growth since 2008. However, the rapid growth of lending, especially in the real estate segment, has worried the Bank of Albania, which applied a countercyclical addition to the capital adequacy ratio for the first time. The Central Bank aims to slow the pace of credit growth, but, for now, the sector does not see...

Tourism is expected to have positive performance this year as well, maintaining the pace of the year we just left behind, where despite the government's objectives for 14 million tourists not materializing, the figure was increasing compared to 2023. Tour operators estimate that this increase for 2025 could reach 25%, taking as a reference the increase in guaranteed contracts, which is a signal fo...

The main factors that will affect the price increase remain the increase in the cost of workers' salaries, the increase in the cost of construction materials and the cost of the increase in the infrastructure impact tax.
 
Dorina Azo
The increase in apartment prices will not stop during 2025. Builders expect to increase apartment sales prices again. Property prices are expected to increase in area...

Interview with Spiro Brumbulli, Secretary General of the Albanian Banking Association
 
SEPA integration will be a major challenge for the banking sector during 2025. Spiro Brumbulli, Secretary General of the Albanian Banking Association, says that this integration requires major investments in technology and cybersecurity. According to him, improving customer access and increasing trust in e...

Although Albania has growth rates above the European Union average, in the future, improving institutional quality will be essential to address high levels of emigration, skill mismatch and unemployment through tailored public investments in education, health and quality infrastructure.
The Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Robert de Groot, says in an interview fot “Monitor”, t...

Albania has been undergoing a process of economic transformation in recent years, as the importance of low-value-added sectors is decreasing. Ekaterina Solovova, Resident Representative of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Albania, says in an interview for “Monitor” that in order to continue economic growth, the Albanian economy needs diversification and more sophistic...

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects the Albanian economy to grow by 3.5% in 2025, driven by domestic demand and the continued expansion of the tourism sector. Anke Weber, IMF Manager for Albania, said in an interview with “Monitor” that Albania has the potential to accelerate growth, driven by tourism, especially if supported by sustained foreign investment. She added that structural ref...

Emanuel Salinas, former World Bank Manager in Albania
 
 
 
Emanuel Salinas, the World Bank Country Manager in Albania for almost the last four years, has always stood out in the interviews he gives to “Monitor” for his direct answers and interesting perspectives on the Albanian economy and society. Now that his mandate in our country has ended, he could not miss a final statement, talking a...