Best bank 2025: BKT
BKT has significantly bolstered its standing in the Kosovo banking sector, primarily evidenced by its robust growth figures from 2024. The bank’s total assets surged by 19.4%, reaching €1.42 billion, largely fuelled by a 28.1% increase in loans alongside a 19.9% rise in retail deposits. Remarkably, BKT accounted for 29% of the retail deposit growth and 20.8% of the total asset growth within the local banking industry over the year.
Innovation at BKT was also prominent in 2024, particularly with the introduction of Kosovo’s first circular economy loan in December. This pioneering financial product is designed to encourage sustainable manufacturing practices and promote resource efficiency, highlighting BKT’s commitment to environmental and sustainability initiatives. Moreover, the bank made significant enhancements in digital banking, launching services such as QR-based ATM operations, utility bill payments through digital platforms, and the provision of instant-use debit cards. These services have notably improved access to both digital and physical banking for its customers.
The upgraded BKT Mobile app and expanded use of robotic process automation have driven a substantial increase in mobile financial transactions, which soared by 60%–70% compared to 2023. This technological advancement underscores BKT’s strategic focus on integrating more efficient, user-friendly digital solutions into its service array, firmly establishing it as a leading contender for the title of Kosovo’s best bank.
Best digital bank 2025: Raiffeisenbank
Raiffeisenbank distinguished itself as the frontrunner for Kosovo’s best digital bank owing to its significant strides in digital banking and sustainable innovations. In 2024, Raiffeisenbank recorded a 25% year-over-year increase in mobile banking usage, primarily due to enhancements in the Raiffeisen Plus app. This app now includes smart widgets alongside new features for transfers, standing orders, and opening savings accounts. This integration has been pivotal, with 97% of transactions conducted digitally, showcasing a robust customer shift towards digital services.
Moreover, the RaiKesh platform, another innovative feature from Raiffeisenbank, raised personal loan limits to €20,000, subsequently boosting total sales by 192% and handling 45% more applications. This significant expansion in service offerings and capacity illustrates the bank’s commitment to meeting the evolving financial needs of its personal banking clients.
In a progressive move for the business sector, Raiffeisenbank launched All4Business in 2024, marking it as the market’s inaugural online SME loan application platform. It notably automates loan approvals, therefore simplifying and speeding up the lending process for SMEs, a critical segment for local economic growth.
The bank has also executed an impressive technological pivot; by migrating 93% of applications to the cloud by the end of 2024, it achieved a 50% reduction in IT costs and a commendable estimated 60% decrease in CO₂ emissions. This not only underscores Raiffeisenbank’s operational efficiency but also highlights its commitment to environmental sustainability.
Furthermore, the deployment of AI tools such as RBI ChatGPT, YellowGPT and Microsoft Copilot across various departments in 2024 has enhanced automation and decision-making processes, setting a benchmark for innovation in the financial sector in Kosovo.
Best bank for ESG 2025: Raiffeisenbank
Raiffeisenbank has demonstrated outstanding performance in ESG over the review period, leading to its nomination as Kosovo’s best bank for ESG. In 2024, the bank markedly increased its ESG portfolio to €117.71 million from €88.51 million the previous year, showcasing significant progress with a 53% rise in environmental investments and a 49% increase in social investments.
A standout achievement includes the financing of two major solar power plants in Gjakova. These plants have an annual capacity of 8.67 GWh and are projected to reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 4,121 tonnes, underscoring the bank’s commitment to renewable energy projects.
Raiffeisenbank’s internal operations have seen substantial eco-friendly improvements; it expanded its hybrid vehicle fleet to 86 in 2024, a substantial increase from just 12 in 2023. In its efforts to further reduce carbon footprint, the bank has achieved an estimated 60% reduction in CO₂ emissions within their data centres, attributed to a 93% transition to cloud computing.
Moreover, the bank launched the innovative Green Wings initiative, employing drones for reforestation tasks, effectively restoring five hectares of land in Prishtina. This initiative not only supports urban greening efforts but also highlights Raiffeisenbank’s pioneering use of technology in environmental stewardship.
Further emphasising its ESG commitments, Raiffeisenbank has actively engaged in community-based educational programmes, including Minecraft-based financial literacy sessions and SME-focused sessions designed to foster ESG-aligned education and inclusion. These initiatives affirm the bank’s dedication to both societal impacts and sustainable banking practices within Kosovo.
Best bank for consumers 2025: NLB Banka
NLB Banka has demonstrated a remarkable growth trajectory and an innovative approach in the retail banking sector for 2024, making it a deserving winner of Kosovo’s best bank for consumers.
Over the year, NLB Banka’s gross loan portfolio expanded significantly by 18.7% to €1.03 billion, simultaneously boosting its client deposits by 12.9% to €1.14 billion. A notable sector of growth was in gross retail loans, which escalated by 28.5% to €464.6 million. This surge propelled its retail loan market share to an impressive 20.0%. The aggressive growth in this segment underscores NLB Banka’s ability to meet consumer demand effectively.
The bank also championed substantial technological advancements in its operations. It implemented a fully automated consumer loan origination system in 2024, which remarkably cut down the loan processing time from eight hours to just under five minutes. This pivotal improvement in efficiency not only enhances consumer satisfaction but also positions NLB Banka as a leader in banking innovation within Kosovo.
Furthermore, NLB Banka introduced new products like the Auto Premium Loan and a novel three-party mortgage model. These products were designed to broaden the spectrum of retail lending options, catering to diverse consumer needs and financial situations.
Another strategic initiative was the opening of three cashless branches, coupled with 24/7 self-service zones across the country. This move shifted 96% of retail cash transactions outside of traditional branch settings, reflecting a shift towards more digital and customer-convenient banking environments.
Through these multifaceted efforts, NLB Banka not only expanded its market presence but also reinforced its commitment to customer-centric service and innovation in Kosovo’s banking sector.
