TBI Bank entered the Romanian market as a fast alternative to the big banks. It's not an NBFI. It's a commercial bank with NBR licence, meaning stricter rules and deposit guarantees. But its lending products mimic NBFI speed: online application in minutes, fast decision, small to medium amounts. For a personal loan of 2,000-25,000 lei, TBI is often on the short list for those avoiding the branch.
What it actually offers
Amounts 1,000-50,000 lei, terms 3-60 months. Standard retail APR runs 18-35%, depending on amount, term and your credit score. For clean-score, stable-income clients, TBI has a 'prime' tier with APR 8-12% — competitive with BCR or BT in that segment, but rarely advertised.
Clear specialty: 'buy now, pay later' at partner stores (Altex, Flanco, eMag) — TBI is dominant. For a 4,700-lei TV at 0% in 12 instalments in the store, TBI is often the lender behind.
Real fees
Analysis fee: 0-2% depending on product. Monthly admin fee: 0.1-0.25%. Insurance: not mandatory on standard loans, but pushed firmly, its cost enters APR only if you accept.
Early-repayment fee follows GEO 50/2010: max 1% or 0.5%, zero on variable. They can't deviate here.
Practical alternatives
If TBI declines or APR comes out too high, you have options:
Small amounts (under 3,000 lei) fast: a classic NBFI. See Hora vs Viva vs Acredit.
Mid amounts (5,000-20,000 lei): big banks (BT, BCR, BRD, ING, Raiffeisen) start at APR 8% for clean-history clients. Process is longer (1-5 days) but total savings are significant.
Instalment purchases: stores sometimes offer 0% effective (TBI or ING Bank finances behind). Good when amount is fixed and term short.
Bogdan, after years in NBFI then banking: TBI is a middle ground — more serious than NBFIs, faster than classic banks, but not cheapest on either axis. Good score and a few days of patience: big bank. Need cash today for a small amount: NBFI. TBI: when neither extreme suits.