The Bank of Albania published Governor Gent Sejko's greeting speech for the 10th anniversary of ABI Bank, linking the banking sector's evolution to financial stability and Albania's long-term economic development, with a focus on payments modernisation and digital innovation. Sejko noted that open banking is starting to take shape in Albania and that wider use of electronic payments is reducing costs and increasing transaction speed. He described Albania's participation in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) and the inclusion of domestic banks as a milestone for cross-border payments and European financial integration. The speech also reviewed ABI's expansion, including acquisitions of Credit Agricole Albania (2015), National Bank of Greece Albania (2017) and, most recently, NOA Financial Institution, and cited the bank's capital adequacy ratio of 19.22%, a balance sheet of ALL 141 billion at the end of the first half of 2025, and customer deposits of ALL 108 billion (80% from individuals), alongside a reduced non-performing loan portfolio, satisfactory liquidity, sector lending initiatives including a HORECA package, and involvement in ALSE Stock Exchange and ALREG Securities Registry.
Bank of Albania 2025-09-10
Bank of Albania Governor Sejko highlights SEPA participation and emerging open banking in ABI Bank anniversary speech
Governor Gent Sejko of the Bank of Albania emphasized the banking sector's role in financial stability and economic development at ABI Bank's 10th anniversary, highlighting payments modernization and digital innovation. He noted Albania's progress in open banking, electronic payments, and participation in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). ABI Bank's growth was reviewed, including acquisitions and financial metrics like a capital adequacy ratio of 19.22% and a balance sheet of ALL 141 billion.