Over the past two decades, digital banking has reshaped financial systems across Europe. Institutions like Revolut, N26, and Monzo have shown that banking without physical branches is not only possible but increasingly preferred by millions of customers. Albania has now joined this shift with the launch of Jet Bank, the country’s first fully digital bank.
On 25 March 2026, Jet Bank completed its licensing process with the Bank of Albania, becoming fully authorized to operate in the Albanian market. The process was comprehensive, covering governance, risk management, security, transparency, and financial stability. CEO Fatbardha Rino confirmed that the bank also passed compliance reviews carried out by nine local and international institutions, including detailed checks on its capital structure and the suitability of its investors.
Leading the institution is CEO Fatbardha Rino, a banking professional with 24 years of national and international experience. In her interview on Top Channel’s Top Story, she outlined the bank’s core principles: convenience, transparency, and technology. Her goal is to make banking accessible to every Albanian, including the many who remain underbanked or who rely mainly on cash.
The public response was immediate. Within days of opening its waitlist, more than 40,000 Albanians had signed up a clear signal that demand for modern financial services had been waiting for the right product. Prof. Dr. Adrian Civici, Economist and University Professor, has described Jet Bank’s arrival as part of a broader structural shift in which digital infrastructure replaces physical branches as the foundation of banking.
International media also took notice. Deutsche Welle highlighted Jet Bank as a potential new model for the Western Balkans, noting Albania’s growing role in regional financial innovation. Retail Executive Director Belma Lushi confirmed the licensing milestone and the opening of the bank’s public waitlist, marking the official start of Jet Bank’s customer journey.
As Albania moves toward European integration, Jet Bank represents more than a new bank. It reflects the country’s commitment to aligning its financial sector with modern digital standards and a first concrete step toward that future.
Sources referenced in this article:
1. Top Story on Top Channel — CEO Fatbardha Rino interview on Albania’s first digital bank
2. top-channel.tv — Jet Bank, Albania’s First Fully Digital Bank, Prepares for Launch
3. Wake Up Top Channel — Jet Bank surpasses 40,000 registrations