RATE will once again present the leaders of the banking market in Bulgaria

For the second consecutive year Economic.bg is preparing the digital edition “RATE | Banking Leaders”. This year we will again rank the largest and most efficient financial institutions in the country (Research), analyze the state and dynamics of the sector (Analysis) and present market trends (Trend). We will tell the whole story through the innovative Scrollytelling format.

The “RATE | Banking Leaders” 2026 edition will be in the context of Bulgaria’s accession to the eurozone – a process in which banks bore the brunt of the burden.

This year there will again be a vote in the Economic.bg survey to assess the best bank, according to citizens. Now this assessment will carry even more weight – precisely because of the management of the process of replacing the lev with the euro. Voting is now open and will continue until February 27.

What to expect

Along with the focus on Bulgaria’s accession to the eurozone the publication will also look at the broader context of banking development emphasizing key issues that shape the market beyond the one-time transition to the new currency.

Readers can expect in-depth articles on lending, both to households and businesses. We will analyze the dynamics of consumer and business loans, access to finance, the cost of credit and changing creditworthiness criteria in an environment of higher requirements and increased regulation.

Special attention will be paid to mortgage lending, which has been a driver of growth in recent years. We will examine trends in interest rates, demand for housing loans, the risks of market overheating and the role of banks in maintaining a stable balance between growth and sustainability.

The publication will also cover topics related to the fintech ecosystem and the digitization of banking services. We will track how traditional banks are responding to competition from emerging fintech companies, what technological solutions they are implementing – from digital account opening and automated credit approval to the use of artificial intelligence and data analysis – and how this is changing the consumer experience.

Last but not least “RATE | Banking Leaders” 2026 will focus on business financing, including SMEs and the corporate segment. We will analyze new products, the role of banks in investment processes, green financing and support for the growth of Bulgarian companies in the context of eurozone integration.

We will present all these topics through the prism of data, expert analysis and real-life examples to give readers a comprehensive picture of where the banking sector is heading and which institutions are setting the direction.

Participants in “RATE | Banking Leaders” 2025

DSK Bank was the big winner in the reader survey, receiving the award for “Best Bank for Citizens.” It also confirmed its position as the leader in terms of profit (exceeding BGN 1 billion).

United Bulgarian Bank was recognized as the leader in assets on the Bulgarian market after successfully completing its merger with KBC Bank.

Leading figures from the financial world participated in the publication:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Petar Chobanov, Deputy Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank, presented a detailed overview of the readiness of the Bulgarian financial system for the euro. He emphasized that the banking sector had undergone major regulatory and technological changes to ensure a smooth transition to the single currency.

Tamás Hack-Kovács, Chief Executive Officer of DSK Bank, spoke about the importance of customer satisfaction and the bank’s priorities for maintaining its leading role in consumer lending and digitalisation.

Teodor Marinov, Chief Financial Officer of UBB, analyzed the path to leadership in assets and shared his vision for future market trends. Marinov emphasized efficiency and innovation-driven growth.

Kamelia Mineva, CEO of ProCredit Bank, spoke about the concept of “A Different Bank”. Her message focused on flexibility and breaking stereotypes, emphasizing that a modern leader is one who creates new trends and focuses on quality service.

Silvia Tomova, manager and founder of the boutique credit intermediation company Privilege Consulting Services, shared how lending can be adapted to changing economic conditions and the upcoming change in the monetary system. She presented a point of view based on practical work with clients and banks, emphasizing the importance of objective creditworthiness assessment, choosing the right product and the role of the consultant in making an informed loan choice, which adds a pragmatic and customer-focused component to the analysis of the banking sector in the publication.

Zhivko Todorov, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of iBank, emphasized the role of digitalization, instant payments via blink and the development of iBank Mobile as a competitive response to fintech companies and as a driver for a more efficient economy.

Translated with DeepL