The first banks to directly address non-residents are BRD-Societe Generale, the second-largest lender in the banking sector, and UniCredit Tiriac Bank, the sixth-largest bank in the system in terms of market share.

"We grant loans on the basis of revenue from salaries obtained by Romanian citizens abroad. We finance real estate projects 100 percent, at interest rates of 6 percent plus Euribor3M. The level of indebtedness is 70 percent, and we offer a grace period of up to one year," Clara Grigore, official of SocGen Paris, in charge of this project, told Business Standard.

SocGen's local subsidiary, BRD, signed partnerships with the La Caixa bank in Spain and Spanish SocGen subsidiaries, by offering services at preferential tariffs, hoping that Romanians working abroad will send money home using BRD services. BRD has also established a special phone line (0040 21 302 61 61), the Vocalis International service, which works 7 days a week, from 8.00 and 22.00 hours (Romanian time).

On the Romanian community market in Italy, UniCredit launched "Conto Tu," a product for basic level liquidity management, including telecom services, markdowns for insurance and car purchases through certain dealers, a Europ Assistances package and a Mondial Assistance health check-up program.

There are now over 10 banks interested in working with Romanians living abroad in 2007, from only five in 2006. The value of business provided by banks offering services to Romanians working abroad exceeds an annual €5 billion.