Maib named ‘Bank of the Year’ by The Banker for the Seventh Consecutive Year

The Banker has named maib Bank of the Year in Moldova, marking the seventh year in a row that the bank has earned this distinction. This year’s recognition speaks to maib’s evolution into a sector-shaping institution, one that is driving innovation, strengthening financial infrastructure, and delivering value for its customers, shareholders, and the Moldovan economy.

Maib’s milestones in 2025

Maib has set new benchmarks in the Moldovan banking sector, achieving significant milestones in digital transformation, sustainability, financial innovation, and shareholder value.

Digital transformation and innovation

• Maib’s growing user base: The number of maibank users has exceeded 900 thousand in October, reflecting its success in providing a seamless digital banking experience.
• SME banking app: Maib’s SME banking app, maib business, has been widely adopted, with over 39 000 of SME clients now using the platform.
• Digital channel leadership: 82% of retail deposits and 79% of retail loans are now originated online (as of Q3 2025), showcasing maib’s leadership in digital banking.
• Diaspora access: supporting financial inclusion for the underserved segment, representing over 800 thousand Moldovans living abroad.

Sustainability initiatives

• Expanding the green portfolio: Maib’s green portfolio, primarily focused on renewable energy loans, has surpassed MDL 1.3 billion in Q3 2025, representing a significant increase of 56%, compared to the Q3 2024 level of MDL 832 million. Maib financed major renewable energy projects, including one of the country’s largest solar plants in Radeni launched earlier in 2025 with 50 MW capacity.
• Reducing own carbon footprint: Since April, maib park has been powered entirely by renewable energy. In July, a new solar installation was launched at the Miron Costin office, and multiple branches adopted smart energy-consumption solutions. Together, these initiatives contributed to more than 20% year-over-year reduction in maib’s core carbon footprint in Q2 and Q3 2025.

Advancing Moldova’s capital market

Maib is among a group of co-founders led by Bucharest Stock Exchange in launching a modern securities exchange platform in Moldova. The initiative is led by the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB) includes the Moldovan government’s Public Property Agency (APP) and several top private sector companies from Moldova, who signed the shareholders agreement committing to set up and finance the new stock exchange in October 2025.

Consistent profitability and shareholder returns

In 9 months of 2025 maib profit grew by 25.6% compared to last year, with ROE exceeding 21% for 9 months, and topping 25.7% in Q3 2025. Maib rewarded its shareholders with a EUR 32 million for 2024, representing 45% of that year’s profits.

Giorgi Shagidze, maib CEO, commented:

"Being recognised as Bank of the Year for the seventh year in a row underscores maib’s evolution into a sector-shaping institution. We are grateful to The Banker for this acknowledgement, which reflects the trust of our clients, the dedication of our employees, and the strength of our long-term strategy to build a modern, digitally driven and future-proof bank. We remain focused on driving innovation and supporting Moldova’s economic transformation in the years ahead. I want to sincerely thank our entire team for delivering such an outstanding performance this year.”

About The Banker

The Banker is an international financial affairs publication that provides in-depth analysis, insights, and reports on global banking and finance. The magazine serves as a valuable resource for industry professionals, policymakers, and financial enthusiasts worldwide. Recognized for its comprehensive coverage and expert commentary, The Banker continues to be a leading source of information, offering a nuanced understanding of the dynamic and evolving landscape of international banking.

About maib

Maib is the largest bank in Moldova, with a share of 35.5% of deposits and 37.7% of loans of the entire banking system as of the end of Q3 2025. Maib is a disciplined lender with an NPL ratio of 1.0% and is well-capitalised with a CAR of 20.7% as of 30 September 2025. The Bank is of systemic importance to the country, serving nearly half of the population and is one of the largest private employers in Moldova, with a workforce of over 2,500 people. The Bank is committed to returning capital to shareholders, having paid out 45% of its 2024 profits in dividends (totalling nearly EUR 32 million). Maib is well-known in Moldova and internationally for its customer-centric approach and leadership in innovation having received a number of recognitions, such as Best Bank in Moldova, Best SME Bank in the region and other. Since 2018, maib's largest shareholder has been a consortium that includes the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Invalda INVL, a leading asset management group in the Baltic States, and Horizon Capital, a private investment fund focused on emerging markets.