The investment made by Banca Transilvania of Romania in Moldova’s Victoriabank is a good start for attracting other investments to the Moldova banking sector, said experts invited to the talk show “People’s Council” produced by 10TV channel, IPN reports.

“A door was opened and the go ahead was given for other investors in the banking system of Moldova and this thing is a signal of stability. Banking stability is gradually established. This is like oxygen for the business community,” said Gheorghe Costandachi, head of the European Social-Political Center.

According to him, Banca Transilvania has products designed especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. “We can say that this investment is a small lifebuoy because BT will focus its financing on the SMEs. This is welcome,” stated Gheorghe Costandachi.

Economic expert Sergiu Gaibu said Victoriabank wasn’t in a deplorable situation. It is a functional bank, but its shareholders represented a problem. “There were particular risks and thus the National Bank took attitude to this and another two banks. There was a risk that these owners would involve the banks in inappropriate activities or that they would assume absolutely unnecessary risky transactions that would have later seriously struck these banks,” he stated.

Banca Transilvania (BT) became a shareholder of Victoriabank, which is the third largest bank in Moldova. BT will own a shareholding of over 66% together with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.