The journey of TBI Bank began in 2002, not as a bank, but through the establishment of TBIF Financial Services (TBIF), a Dutch-owned entity that set its sights on the financial landscape of Bulgaria. Initially, TBIF built a robust non-banking network, creating specialized companies like TBI Credit, TBI Leasing, TBI Rent, and TBI Asset Management. This foundational period was marked by a strategic expansion of financial operations, laying the groundwork for a significant leap into the traditional banking sector. The pivotal moment arrived in 2011 when TBIF acquired the Bulgarian branch of the Slovenian Nova Ljubljanska Banka. This acquisition was the catalyst that transformed the collection of financial service companies into a consolidated, full-fledged bank, officially giving birth to tbi bank. This move signaled a new era for the organization, allowing it to offer a broader spectrum of financial products and services under a unified banking license.
From its inception as a bank, tbi has been on a relentless path of evolution, driven by a challenger mindset and a deep commitment to digital innovation. In 2016, a new chapter unfolded as tbi was acquired by 4finance Holding, Europe's largest online and mobile consumer lending group. This acquisition supercharged tbi's transformation, infusing it with FinTech expertise and accelerating its focus on becoming a next-generation digital lender. What started as a specialized lender in Bulgaria and Romania has since expanded its horizons across Europe, now serving customers in Greece, Germany, and Lithuania. Embracing a 'phygital' model, tbi combines a strong digital presence, centered around its intuitive mobile app, with a vast network of over 32,000 merchant partner check-out points. This hybrid approach allows the bank to meet customers where they are, whether online or in-store, making finance simple and accessible. Today, tbi bank stands as one of the most profitable and efficient banks in Southeast Europe, continually challenging the conventions of banking to improve the financial lives of over two million customers.