Private equity giant Advent International has completed its acquisition of tbi bank, a fast-growing mobile-first challenger bank operating across Southeast Europe. The deal, announced in April 2025 and finalized after receiving regulatory clearance from the European Central Bank in mid-February 2026, represents a significant deployment of capital into the region's financial services sector.

tbi bank serves 2.7 million customers across Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece through digital channels and partnerships with over 38,000 merchant stores. The bank issued more than 1 million loans in 2025 alone, positioning itself as a regional leader in alternative payment solutions that combine financing and shopping services for both merchants and consumers. Advent oversees more than €85 billion in assets under management and has completed 448 investments across 44 countries.

With Advent's backing, tbi bank plans to deepen its digital capabilities and strengthen merchant network partnerships. Milan Kulich, Managing Director at Advent, emphasized the firm's long-term commitment to Central and Eastern Europe, citing the combination of deep local insight with global expertise. The acquisition builds on Advent's experience investing in regulated financial institutions and payments platforms, strengthening its footprint in the region while positioning tbi bank for continued expansion across Southeast Europe.