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.

Personal loan: complete 2026 bank guide

The personal loan at a bank remains in 2026 the cheapest non-collateralized financing product. The market's median APR is 10.3%, and at your salary bank it drops below 9% on prime profiles. This guide brings together the information on the 8 main banks, the real approval conditions, your mandatory rights and the practical steps.

The 8 main banks in 2026

Banca Transilvania (BT): APR 9.49% standard, amounts 5,000-250,000 lei, terms 6-60 months. Accepted profile: income above 1,800 lei, score above 540. BCR: APR 9.9% standard, amounts 5,000-100,000 lei, 12-60 months. Minimum income 1,700 lei. BRD: APR 8.35% on a prime profile, amounts 5,000-100,000 lei, 12-60 months. Minimum income 1,700 lei. ING Bank: APR 9.99%, amounts 3,000-100,000 lei, 6-60 months, a 100% mobile application.

Raiffeisen: APR 10.9%, amounts 5,000-100,000 lei, 12-60 months. Minimum income 1,700 lei. Garanti BBVA: APR 9.65%, amounts 3,000-120,000 lei, 6-60 months. Minimum income 1,800 lei. OTP Bank: APR 10.1%, amounts 5,000-100,000 lei, 12-60 months. Minimum income 1,700 lei. CEC Bank: APR 10.4%, amounts 3,000-80,000 lei, 6-60 months, a physical presence in branches. See the full comparator.

Real approval conditions

Three elements decide the bank's answer: demonstrable income, the credit score at the Biroul de Credit (the credit bureau) and the indebtedness level. The easiest income to prove is through a CIM (an individual employment contract) with more than 6 months of tenure at the current employer. For a PFA (sole trader) and freelancers, the bank asks for the last 12 months of bank statements and declaration 200.

The BNR indebtedness level caps the total monthly instalment (all active loans plus the new one) at 40% of net income for consumer credit. See the full explanation of the indebtedness level. The bank calculates your level automatically from your record at the Biroul de Credit.

The salary bank typically gives you 0.5-1.5 points less

The bank where you receive your salary sees all your transactions, your deposits, your recurring payments. The risk it assesses is lower, so the APR offered runs 0.5 to 1.5 points below the market. On an 18,400 lei loan over 48 months, the gap between a 10.8% APR and a 9.3% APR is 663 lei over the full term. Always apply first at your salary bank.

Roman Dumitrescu, former risk analyst at BCR 2014-2019: „On profiles with salary in the account for over 6 months and a clean score, BCR systematically had a preferential price. The difference does not appear in advertising, but it is available to the consultant if you ask explicitly, „what is the loyalty offer for existing customers”. Many do not ask and pay 1-2 points more.”

The 5 documents to request

A personalized FSIE with your exact amount and term. The month-by-month amortization table. The total cost of the credit expressed in lei (not just the APR). The early-repayment clauses. The penalty clauses if you fall behind. See how to read the FSIE correctly. The bank is required to give you the FSIE free before signing, under GEO 50/2010.

Your mandatory rights

14 calendar days of withdrawal without justification from signing. Early repayment with a maximum fee of 1% over 12 months remaining, 0.5% below. A unilateral change to the contract by the bank requires your explicit agreement. See your full rights and when refinancing is worthwhile.

Comparator vs the IFN alternative

The bank is cheaper than the IFN almost always for amounts above 3,000 lei and terms above 6 months. The gap on a 5,000 lei loan over 12 months: bank 213 lei of interest, IFN between 800 and 12,000 lei. See the full bank vs IFN analysis. The exception: a score below 480 or a refusal at several banks, when the IFN remains the only practical route.

See our comparator with live rates from the 8 main banks.