Romania · Europe
Banking in Bucharest: Regulator, RON Accounts & Transfers
If you bank from Bucharest, three things shape the experience: the currency (Romanian leu, RON), the regulator that supervises providers (National Bank of Romania (BNR)), and the way domestic Romania transfers are addressed and settled. Below, each is set out with the source it comes from — treat these as the checks to make, not marketing.
The regulator to check
The first check for a Bucharest account is the regulator standing behind the provider.
National Bank of Romania (BNR)
As an EU member state, Romania applies PSD2: banks and payment institutions are authorised and overseen by the NBR, with EU passporting allowing EEA-licensed providers to operate. Look up the NBR's register of authorised credit and payment institutions.
Visit the regulator →Currency & local account details
Domestic payments in Romania rely on a specific account format — get it exactly right before sending.
- Currency:
- Romanian leu (RON)
- Local account format
- Romania uses a 24-character IBAN: RO + 2 check digits + 4-character bank code + 16-digit account (the domestic account format is the 16-digit part, historically 4-char bank code + 12-digit customer account).
How domestic transfers move
The payment rail behind Romania transfers determines timing and limits.
Retail RON transfers clear through TransFond's SENT clearing system in batch cycles, with the separate SENT Instant system providing 24/7 instant payments; high-value transfers settle in RTGS (ReGIS) at the central bank.
Before you open an account
- Confirm the provider is authorised by National Bank of Romania (BNR) before depositing funds.
- Transact in Romanian leu (RON) and check the provider's rate and fees for any conversion.
- Use Romania's domestic account format exactly as issued when sending or receiving locally.
- Check the provider's cut-off times and limits on the local payment rail before relying on instant settlement.
Sources
Every fact on this page traces to an official or authoritative source: