Major investments of over 1 million euros made in August were almost three times higher than those made during the same time last year, reaching 123 million euros, according to data taken from the National Trade Registry Office (ONRC).

Although investment made in August this year exceeded by far the investment in the same period as last year, August has not been the highpoint of investment over the last few months.

For example, investments of over one million euros made in May reached 146 million euros, surpassing the previous peak in the first quarter, recorded in January.

According to the ONRC, the most substantial investment made in August was by Finansbank, which invested 116 million euros. However, when the bank was contacted by ZF for comment, the bank stated that this sum was inaccurate. The value of the investment made by the Turkish bank remains unclear. However, the Turkish-based Finansbank did make another cash contribution worth 10.7 million euros in the first half of the year. The Romanian subsidiary of Finansbank is to increase its share capital by 15 million euros and wants to open another 38 territorial branches by the end of the year. Recently, the bank has also started to grant funding for SMEs and intends to reach a 1.4% market share by yearend.

Besides investment made by Finansbank in Romania, HVB Tiriac Commercial Bank and Bank Leumi made two other significant investments in this sector. The Israelis at Bank Leumi bought Eurom Bank this summer, in a transaction worth 34 million dollars, which was completed at the beginning of August.

With the exception of the industry sector, the banking field, followed by the real estate market, was the most prolific field in August, accumulating bank investments with a significant impact worth some 33 million euros.

Significant investments in real estate market reached 21 mil