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Next year, we may witness tax increases and higher property taxes, warn the guests of the podcast hosted by the Alternative Banking Dispute Resolution Center (CSALB). These effects will lead to a decline in consumer spending, which could impact the entire economy. In such conditions, pressure on Romanian incomes will increase, and people need to secure their personal finances as best as possible. Experts recommend saving, maintaining a low level of debt, and keeping an ongoing dialogue with the bank to prevent difficult situations. In the 10th episode of #PodcasturileCSALB, guests include Ana Popescu, Retail Director at Unicredit, and Ionuț Ștefan, CSALB conciliator and tax consultant, in a discussion moderated by Adrian Asoltanie, trainer and financial education specialist. (more…)

In uncertain times, with a war at the border, inflation, and still relatively high interest rates, banks need to show simplicity in communication and empathy for consumers. On the other hand, consumers must adapt to digitalization and protect their accounts from bank fraud. In the near future, everything clients can manage by themselves with the bank will become digital. This independence in accessing financial products and services comes with the risk of bank fraud. In the 9th episode of #CSALBPodcasts, guests include Eleni Skoura, Vice President of ING Romania, and Mihai Tănăsescu, CSALB conciliator and lawyer, in a discussion moderated by Irina Chițu, manager of Finzoom.ro and financial analyst. (more…)

By the end of the third quarter of 2024, the number of negotiations between consumers and banks mediated by the Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Banking Sector (CSALB) reached 815, the highest number in the Center’s nearly nine years of operation.

The number of requests consumers sent to CSALB is almost 30% higher than during the same period in 2023. This year, 2,050 requests have been addressed to banks, while 750 have focused on consumers’ relationships with non-banking financial institutions (NBFIs). The relationship between consumers and banks is also discussed in the 8th episode of #PodcasturileCSALB, with guests Doru Bulată and Vasile Nemeș, in a conversation moderated by Constantin Rudnițchi. (more…)

During the summer months, consumers sent 50% more requests to the Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution in Banking (CSALB) compared to the same period last year, and the number of negotiations between consumers and banks increased by 60% compared to June, July, and August 2023. Consumers have sent approximately 2,500 requests since the beginning of the year, and 720 negotiations have been conducted so far. In most cases, consumers requested the following from banks: Refunds of amounts previously charged as fees; Amicable resolution of disputes currently in court; Assistance from financial institutions in cases of fraud and scams where consumers were victims. (more…)

Since the start of the year, Romanians filed more than 2,100 applications for negotiation with their banks and NBFIs to the Alternative Banking Dispute Resolution Centre (ABDRC). This means 20% more than during the same period of 2023. The reason found in the majority of loan agreement renegotiation applications is the fact that ROBOR and IRCC rates remain high, and that these are used to calculate the floating interest on loans. Increases higher than for the number of applications were reported for the actual negotiations (25%) and reconciliations (31%). In the first half of this year, the benefits obtained by consumers from negotiations with banks are about EUR 1.5 million. (more…)

The current period of uncertainty has led to stagnant demand for mortgages and increased savings. Bankers are even seeing a saving trend reflected in long-term investment products.  Consumers do not show the same level of caution when faced with attempted bank fraud or fake investment offers circulating online. As a result, the digitalization process is being held back by financial and banking institutions themselves, which are forced to introduce additional control mechanisms to make transactions more secure.

These are just some of the topics debated on in the Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre (ABDRC) in the 7th episode of #PodcasturileCSALB, featuring Vladimir Kaliniv and Valentin Cocean, in a discussion moderated by Irina Chițu. (more…)

The current crises have medium and long-term effects. That’s why banks need to offer sustainable and long-term solutions to clients experiencing repayment difficulties. Saving is one of these solutions. Another way out to overcome the deadlock can come from negotiations with the bank via ABDRC, but a cost adjustment by the bank must be accompanied by a rethinking of consumers’ lifestyle.

These are just some of the topics debated on in the Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre (ABDRC) in the 6th episode of #PodcasturileCSALB, featuring Bogdan Pleșuvescu and Camelia Popa, in a discussion moderated by Norel Moise. (more…)