Post-Crisis Developments in Banking Products and Distribution Channels in Romania and Bulgaria

The paper examines banking distribution channels and post-crisis developments in the Romanian and Bulgarian banking systems and aims to pin down the differences and similarities in both countries. The two phases related to the financial crisis, before 2008 and after 2008, reflect specific developments in terms of policies and distribution channels chosen by the banks to deliver banking products and services. As a result of the global financial crisis the networks of branches were reshaped, contracted and/or redesigned, in order to sustain the new vision. Technology and digitalization determine an important side-effect resulting in a “quality-based” retail banking trend. A mix of channels, both traditional and digital support the new relationship banking with all categories of customers, both retail and corporate