In a bold move to advance digital banking and strengthen collaboration with the growing Fintech ecosystem in Albania, Tirana Bank, part of  BALFIN Group, in partnership with Startup Albania, hosted a high-level forum at the Pyramid.

The event brought together representatives from 10 of Albania’s most promising Fintech startups and key leaders from Tirana Bank to engage in a vibrant dialogue around innovation, partnership, and the future of financial services. The audience included founders, tech professionals, digital strategists, and senior banking executives.

The forum was structured as an open panel discussion, followed by Q&A sessions and a networking cocktail. Discussions revolved around Digital Onboarding, user-centric digital experiences, Open Banking integration, Tirana Bank’s innovation roadmap, and partnership opportunities in digital services.

Olivier Baur, Deputy CEO of Tirana Bank, opened the forum by sharing the bank’s forward-looking vision: “We are not just adapting to the future of banking, we are helping define it. Tirana Bank is becoming a digital-first, customer-centric platform, and we welcome startups and Fintechs as partners in this journey. Together, we can reshape how financial services are delivered in Albania.”

Blerina Nasto, Digital Transformation Manager, emphasized that collaboration is the key to sustainable innovation:“Digital transformation is no longer a choice, it’s a strategic imperative. At Tirana Bank, we believe that true innovation happens when we open doors to collaboration. Through partnerships, we can accelerate our journey, unlock new value, and future-proof our services in an ever-evolving landscape.”

The forum also highlighted the Bank’s commitment to supporting early-stage companies and small businesses.

Marsela Kajo, Head of Small Business Department, introduced a tailored offer: “At Tirana Bank, we have designed a specific package where we offer the account and online banking platform free of charge for six months. This allows startups to onboard into the banking system, test the platform, and operate with full functionality before deciding to become regular customers as they scale.”

A crucial part of the conversation focused on infrastructure and technology.
Andi Qirjazi, Head of IT, shared insights into the Bank’s evolving technology landscape:

“Tirana Bank is committed to implementing the newest cloud-based solutions and ensuring that our infrastructure supports scalability, security, and speed. We have also opened up our services using the PSD2 standard, one of the most secure ways to enable Fintech collaboration. Our IT strategy is built around strategic partnerships with global tech leaders like IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, and Cisco to ensure maximum availability and exceptional service quality.”

On information security, a major concern in Open Banking and digital ecosystems,
Eni Pali, Head of Information Security, reassured participants:

“At our bank, information security is a top priority. With the global and local rise in cyberattacks, we have strengthened our defenses, aligned with international standards, and regularly conduct penetration testing using third-party providers. We overcame several challenges during the implementation of Open Banking, including the generation of the security certificate, a hurdle we managed to resolve successfully in close coordination with the Bank of Albania.”

This forum marks a strategic milestone for Tirana Bank as it continues to position itself as the go-to financial partner for startups, digital businesses, and technology-driven companies. With the support of Balfin Group, Tirana Bank will continue to play a key role in the digital transformation of the financial sector in Albania.