Fintech Garden Episode 118 – Built for Change: Inside tbi bank’s Challenger Strategy with Petr Baron

In this episode of Fintech Garden, Igor Tomych sits down with Petr Baron, CEO of tbi fs, to explore how one regional bank quietly built a hybrid challenger model—and succeeded.

From Bulgaria to Romania to Greece, tbi has grown into a digital-first, profit-driven fintech player by doing what most neobanks didn’t: combining a physical presence with seamless digital services.

🔍 Key topics:

✅ Why tbi blends physical service centers with mobile-first experiences

✅ How post-crisis roots shaped a sustainable fintech strategy

✅ The role of merchant-led BNPL in building long-term value

✅ How trust, empathy, and local presence still win customers

✅ What it takes to run a profitable, credit-led fintech bank in 3 countries

📌 Whether you’re building a digital bank, designing a BNPL strategy, or exploring expansion in Southeast Europe—this episode is full of strategic insight.