Record number of Romanians demand refunds from banks, negotiate loan terms

A record number of Romanians are actively seeking to renegotiate terms with banks and non-banking financial institutions, with consumer requests to the Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Banking Sector (CSALB) reaching an all-time high.

In the first half of 2026, consumers submitted 2,060 requests to CSALB, marking the highest semi-annual figure in the institution's 10-year history. These requests predominantly relate to credit agreements, with many Romanians demanding refunds of commissions and interest already paid, seeking to reduce their loan balances, lower monthly installments, or renegotiate repayment conditions.

The surge in requests coincides with rising living costs, prompting consumers to find more effective ways to manage their financial obligations. Compared to the first half of 2025, when 1,464 requests were registered, the number of applications in early 2026 increased by 40%. The second quarter of 2026 alone saw over 1,000 compliant requests, a first for the institution.

Requests directed at non-banking financial institutions (IFNs) saw a significant 63% increase, rising from 369 in the first half of 2025 to 602 in the same period of 2026. Their share in the total number of requests also grew from 25% to 29%.

Approximately 90% of the cases analyzed by CSALB conciliators involve credit agreements, focusing on the restitution of paid commissions and interest, loan balance reductions, or the elimination of contractual clauses. Consumers also seek rescheduling, recalculation of interest rates, currency conversions, and adjustments due to unforeseen circumstances. Notably, 332 negotiations concluded successfully in the first semester, with consumers collectively benefiting by nearly one million euros, averaging about 2,700 euros per negotiation.