Business Forum • 20 June, 2025 at 8:10 PM
The European Commission (EC) has concluded that Romania's recapitalisation of the wholly state-owned Exim Banca Românească, amounting to €250 million (RON 1.25 billion), does not constitute state aid under EU legislation.
In September 2024, Romania notified the EC of its intention to recapitalise Exim Banca Românească. The primary objectives of this measure are to enhance its lending capacity, foster synergies between retail and corporate activities, optimise internal processes, and improve the structure of its funding sources.
Romania submitted a business plan covering the period 2025-2032 and a report on the 'private investor test' conducted in the context of the planned capital increase, all of which were evaluated by the EC.
EU state aid rules stipulate that if an EU member state acts like a private investor and compensates for risk in a manner acceptable to a prudent private investor, the intervention does not constitute state aid.
The EC's evaluation of Romania's business plan indicates that the capital injection will generate a return consistent with market conditions for the Romanian state.