Bank personal loans remain in 2026 the cheapest unsecured financing. Market median APR is 10.3%, dropping below 9% at your salary bank for prime profiles. This guide centralizes the 8 main banks, real approval conditions, mandatory rights, practical steps.
Main banks: Banca Transilvania (APR 9.49%), BCR (9.9%), BRD (8.35% prime), ING (9.99%), Raiffeisen (10.9%), Garanti BBVA (9.65%), OTP (10.1%), CEC (10.4%). All require min income from 1,700 lei (CIM-based) or 12 months bank statements for sole traders.
NBR debt-to-income limit caps total monthly payment at 40% of net income for consumer credit. Your salary bank typically offers 0.5-1.5 points below market. Always ask there first.
See our live comparator, SECCI guide, NBR debt-to-income explained.
Frequently asked questions
What's the typical bank APR in 2026?
Between 8.35% (BRD prime profile) and 13.8% (CEC average). Market median sits around 10.3% for a 36-month personal loan. Your salary bank typically gives you 0.5-1 point below median.
Max amount unsecured?
Typically 100,000-250,000 lei at BT, BCR, BRD, ING if income exceeds 4,500 lei and score over 600. CEC and Garanti up to 80,000-120,000 lei on standard profiles. Banks ask for 6-month income proof.
Does my salary bank give lower APR?
Typically yes, 0.5 to 1.5 percentage points lower. The bank already sees your transaction, deposit and payment history, so risk assessment is lower. Always ask there first.
What is the NBR debt-to-income limit and why it matters?
Bank can grant credit only if total monthly payment (all active loans plus new one) stays under 40% of net income for consumer credit, or 30-35% for mortgage. Bank calculates automatically.
Can I prepay without bank penalty?
Yes, GEO 50/2010 art. 67 caps the fee at 1% on remaining period over 12 months, 0.5% under 12 months, zero on variable rates. Bank must show exact amount on SECCI.