Annual Conference "Banks and the Business"

Petar Chobanov

Deputy Governor in charge of the Banking Department and Member of the Governing Council of the Bulgarian National Bank

Daniel Gros

Member of the Board and Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS)

Daniel Gros is a Member of the Board and Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS). He joined CEPS in 1986 and has been the Director of CEPS from 2000 to 2020.

Prior to joining CEPS, Daniel worked at the IMF and at the European Commission as economic adviser to the Delors Committee that developed the plans for the euro.

Over the last decades, he has been a member of high-level advisory bodies to the French and Belgian governments and has provided advice to numerous central banks and governments, including Greece, the UK, and the US, at the highest political level.

Daniel is currently also an adviser to the European Parliament and was a member of the Advisory Scientific Council (ASC) of the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB) until June 2020. He held a Fulbright fellowship and was a visiting professor at the University of California at Berkeley in 2020.

Daniel holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Chicago. He has published extensively on international economic affairs, including on issues related to monetary and fiscal policy, exchange rates, banking. He is the author of several books and editor of Economie Internationale and International Finance. He has taught at several leading European Universities and contributes a globally syndicated column on European economic issues to Project Syndicate.

Petia Dimitrova

Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of the Management Board of Postbank and Chairperson of the Board of the Association of Banks in Bulgaria

Mrs. Petia Dimitrova is Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of the Management Board of Postbank (under the legal name Eurobank Bulgaria AD). She joined the team of Postbank in 2003 as Country CFO for the eight affiliated companies of Eurobank EFG Group in Bulgaria. In 2005 was appointed Procurator of the Bank. In 2007 she was appointed Executive Director and Member of the MB of DZI Bank. After the legal merger of DZI Bank and Postbank she became Executive Director and Member of MB of the unified bank. In 2012, Mrs. Dimitrova became Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of the Management Board of Postbank.

Under her leadership, Postbank completed in just a few years three successful deals; the acquisition and integration in a record short-term time of Alfa Bank - Bulgaria Branch, followed by Piraeus Bank Bulgaria. In 2023 Postbank has successfully completed the deal for the acquisition of the commercial enterprise and the activity of BNP Paribas Personal Finance, the Bulgarian branch of BNP Paribas Personal Finance S.A., France. As of June 2023, the branch's activities are transferred to the Postbank family and it continues to work on the Bulgarian market under the brand PB Personal Finance by Postbank. These deals are steps to strengthen its position as a systemic for the bank market and to expand its customer base. Mrs. Dimitrova began her career in 1996 at the Consular Department of the US Embassy. Then, in 1998-2003, she worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers as Senior Manager and Senior Auditor.

She is a chartered accountant, qualified ACCA member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in London, UK. Mrs. Dimitrova has an Executive MBA in General Management from the University of Sheffield, UK and holds two Master Degrees in Finance and Banking and Tourism from the University of National and World Economy and Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski. In addition, she is a graduate of ALBA Leadership Development Program, Harvard; holds a Certificate of Merit from Georgetown University Leadership Seminar, Washington D.C. and graduated Management and Social Development of NGOs at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and University of Macedonia, Greece. She also holds certificates for successful completion of the program "Harvard Business School" in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023, and Said Business School, University of Oxford in 2022. Mrs. Dimitrova has acquired her professional qualifications in UK, Greece, Holland, Belgium, USA and Bulgaria, and has participated in various prestigious international trainings, seminars and conferences.

Mrs. Dimitrova is Chairperson of the Board of the Association of Banks in Bulgaria. She is a Member of the Management Boards of "Atanas Bourov" Foundation and Endeavor Bulgaria Association. She also is a Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Hellenic Business Council in Bulgaria, Vice President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria, member of the Management Board of CEIBG and Member of the University Council of the American University in Bulgaria. Petia Dimitrova is a Member of the Industrial Advisory Board - CITY College, International Faculty of the University of Sheffield, Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), Young Global Leaders Forum, part of the World Economic Forum, Gerson Lehrman Group Accounting Council London, UK, Fellow Member of the Chartered Management Institute, UK and Cofounder of the Public Council of Women in Business.

Mrs. Dimitrova has received many awards, including the prestigious recognition "Mrs. Economy" in "Mr. and Mrs. Economy" competition organized by CEIBG and Economy Magazine (2015, 2018); award by "Atanas Bourov" Foundation for Banking and Financial Management (2017); the Special "Banker of the Year" Awards by Banker weekly in 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2022; "Woman of the Year" in Business category by Grazia magazine (2014); two Silver Stevie Awards – "Female Executive of the Year in Europe, the Middle East and Africa" and "Female Executive of the Year – Consumer Services with up to 2,500 employees" (2013); "Banker of the Year 2012" by Banker weekly; "Mrs. Economy 2012" for her contribution to the development of the banking sector; one of the Young Global Leaders honorees for 2012, distinguished by the Forum of Young Global Leaders part of the World Economic Forum; International Faculty Distinguished Alumni Award from The University of Sheffield (2011); Businesswoman of the Year (2010); the Grand prize in the Bulgarian annual contest for young managers "Next generation" (2009) by Capital weekly; and many others.

Under her leadership Postbank won nearly 100 prestigious international and Bulgarian awards, including gold in "Excellence in Customer Centricity or Customer experience" category in one of Europe's most prestigious competition in the banking sector – The Retail Banking: Europe 2019 Awards. Also "The Best Retail Banking in Bulgaria" award in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, "Best Consumer Digital Banks, Bulgaria 2021" award and "Best Mobile Banking Apps, Bulgaria 2021" award from the London-based World Finance Magazine, "Bank of the Year" 2019 and 2021 at the Annual Bank Awards, Best Employer Awards, and many more. Postbank was distinguished as a Top Employer in Bulgaria with a certificate from the international independent Top Employers Institute. The award is given for its innovative vision and high standards in implementing globally recognized employer practices in human resource management, care for people, working conditions, employee personal and professional development programs, among others.

In 2021, for the tenth time, the prestigious global magazine for capital markets, asset management and investment Global Custodian named Postbank as the best custodian bank in Bulgaria. Also in 2021, Postbank was awarded for the seventh time with the high distinction of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development - the award for "The most active bank in Bulgaria in trade finance for 2020".

Tzvetanka Mintcheva

CEO and Chairman of the Management board of UniCredit Bulbank

Tzvetanka Mintcheva started her career as a trainee in UniCredit in 2001, in Retail Division of Bulbank Bulgaria, moving through a wide range of roles during her early years, from various execution and managerial functions within the Retail network and Head Office team. Since 2007 Tzvetanka has been involved in the coordination and development of alternative distribution channels, being recognized for her significant contribution and the introduction of innovations in Retail and other areas of the bank. 
In September 2013, she was appointed as a Head of Retail Division, and a Member of the Management Board.
In 2017 she was appointed as a Head of Global Banking Services Division within UniCredit Bulbank successfully implementing multiple strategic and transformation projects.
From March 2020 till June 2021 she holds the position of Deputy CEO of UniCredit Bank Romania. Tzvetanka Mintcheva has a degree in economics and an MBA in international business from MIB School of Management in Italy.
Since September 2021 she holds the position of CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of UniCredit Bulbank.
Since September 2021 she is a member of the Management Board of the Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria.
In March 2022, Tsvetanka Mincheva was appinted as a Deputy Chairperson of the Management Board of the Association of Banks in Bulgaria.

Peter Roebben

Chairman of the Country Team of KBC Group for Bulgaria, Country Manager of KBC Group for Bulgaria, Chairman of the Management Board of UBB, CEO of UBB

Peter Roebben is Country Manager of KBC Group in Bulgaria, Chairman of the Management Board and Chief Executive Officer of UBB. Until his appointment at these positions, he was the Chief Executive Officer of KBC Bank in Ireland.

Peter Roebben started his career in 1992 as an account officer Corporate Banking for Kredietbank (now KBC) in London. From 1994 untill 1998 he was Director of the Iberia Representative Office in Madrid. After one year in Brussels as account manager for the group’s Multinationals Division, he became General Manager Corporate Banking in the Paris branch in 1999. From 2005 untill 2010 he was Executive Director Corporate Banking at CSOB Bank in the Czech Republic.

Between 2010 and 2017 he served as Senior Managing Director and member of the Executive Committee of K&H Bank & Insurance Hungary. Later in 2017 he becomes Senior General Manager Group Credit Risk at KBC Group’s Head Office in Brussels. In 2019, Peter Roebben was appointed Chief Executive Officer of KBC Bank in Ireland, which he held until his current appointment as Country Manager of KBC Group in Bulgaria, Chairman of the Management Board and Chief Executive Officer of UBB.

Peter Roebben has graduated from the University of Leuven, Belgium with a master degree in law. Later he has obtained an MBA from Vlerick Business School, Belgium.

He is fluent in Dutch, French, English, Spanish and German.
 

Radoslav Dimitrov

Senior Director "Cards and terminals", BORICA

Radoslav Dimitrov is a Senior Director of the "Cards and Terminals" Directorate at BORICA. He started working in the company in 2002 as a system operator. In the period 2005 – 2009 he was an administrator of "Real time and financial servicing system", where he was responsible for the administration of the BORICA card system. In 2009 he headed the "Card Payments System Administration" department, and in 2016 he was the Head of the "Card Products and Services Development" department. Currently, he manages one of the key directorates in BORICA – "Cards and terminals". The efforts of his team are focused on the development and implementation of innovative payment solutions. He has a master's degree in "Telecommunication Management" from the New Bulgarian University, as well as a number of specializations in the field of card payments.

Petar Slavov

Chairman of the Supervisory Board, ProCredit Bank EAD

Goran Angelov

Founder and CEO, IBS Bulgaria

Goran Angelov is the founder and manager of IBS Bulgaria (IBS), one of the leading IT companies in the country with a focus on the financial industry, analytics solutions and system integration. IBS is currently implementing key projects in leading banks related to digital transformation, PSD2 regulation, infrastructure modernization and information asset management. Goran Angelov has an engineering degree in production automation. He has more than 20 years of experience in the field of information and communication technologies and participation in a number of successfully implemented large-scale IT projects for business and the public sector.

Kalin Anev Janse

CFO and Member of the Management Board of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF)

Kalin Anev Janse is the Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Management Board of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF). He is in charge of the Funding and Investor Relations division responsible for €300 billion of outstanding debt and the Investment and Treasury division investing the €80 billion ESM capital. Additionally, he is in charge of ALM & Financial Structuring overseeing the ESM and EFSF balance sheet.

Before taking on the CFO position, Mr Anev Janse was the Secretary General responsible for amongst others Corporate Governance, Shareholder relations, HR and Finance & Control, and IT & Operations running technology and facilities of the institution. He previously worked in strategy at the European Investment Bank in Luxembourg, corporate finance advisory at McKinsey & Company in the Netherlands and investment banking at JPMorgan in London. He held several political positions in the Netherlands.

Mr Anev Janse studied MSc. Business Administration at the Rotterdam School of Management and Wharton at the University of Pennsylvania. For his undergraduate degree, he studied Business Administration in Finance, Banking and Insurance at the Vrije University Amsterdam. He is a young global leader of the World Economic Forum.

Svilen Issaev

Head of the Banking, Finance and Capital Markets service line, Sofia office, Kinstellar

Svilen Issaev is head of the Banking, Finance and Capital Markets service line in the Sofia office of the law firm Kinstellar. He has extensive experience advising on some of the largest international and Bulgarian banking and financial institutions on various transactional, regulatory and compliance matters. Svilen has led on a number of complex financing transactions, including those with sustainability elements, advising both lenders and borrowers. He has significant expertise in: banking and financial institutions licensing; insurance; investment structuring; debt restructuring; establishment and enforcement of security; insolvency proceedings; capital market transactions and regulations.

Kalina Kisyova

General Manager Corporate and SME Products and Business Development, UBB

Desislava Kalinkova

Head of the Small and Medium Enterprises business department, ProCredit Bank

Aleksander Petrov

Senior Partner, McKinsey&Company

Alek leads McKinsey’s work on risk advanced analytics in Europe. He supports clients across a range of risk topics, focusing especially on stress testing, recovery planning, and asset analysis. He maintains a wealth of experience in capital markets, derivatives pricing, and portfolio management from his consultancy work with clients and his earlier career in financial services.

Among Alek’s recent projects are:

• working with a major UK bank to design an end-to-end stress-testing and capital-planning program
• supporting a leading Dutch bank with a review of its risk culture and the transformation of its front office and performance management
• conducting stress-testing reviews and preparing recovery plans for Greek and Cypriot banks, including developing tools for portfolio analysis, redesigning non-performing-loan operations, and implementing crash programs
• helping to undertake a comprehensive assessment, review of internal modeling architecture, and development of macroeconomic models for Italian and Portuguese banks
• advising US financial institutions on validation for macroeconomic forecasting and asset-cash flow models, and providing support in comprehensive capital analysis and review stress tests
• supporting the commercial due diligence of a corporate target, stress testing the business model and profitability

Daniel Dzholev

Senior Manager and Deputy Director, Digital and Information Technologies, Unicredit Bulbank

Petko Rangelov

Head of the "Digitalization and Technologies" Department, DSK Bank

Prof. Dr. George Dimitrov

Founder and Chairman of the Board of Evrotrust Technologies

Prof. Dr. George Dimitrov is a leading expert in Information Technology Law and a founder and chairman of the board of Evrotrust Technologies. He is also head of numerous working groups drafting Bulgarian and EU legislation in the area of IT.

Prof. Dr. Dimitrov is a part of the EU experts’ group on Remote eID for the AML/KYC regulations. He is an active member of several professional organizations and has served as an advisor to numerous governments.

Hristo Stoyanov

Mandat Manager, European investment fund (EIF) for Bulgaria

Hristo Stoyanov manages the business development activities of the European Investment Fund in Bulgaria.  He joined the EIF office in Sofia as mandate manager in 2011 responsible for the operations of a Bulgarian holding fund providing EU Structural Funds through SME-focused financial instruments including guarantees, start-up accelerators and venture capital. He is member of the Board of Directors of JEREMIE Bulgaria – investment  company, acting as an umbrella fund with diversified portfolio of 9 private equity funds and risk-sharing commitments to local credit institutions.

Venelin Petkov

Journalist

Venelin Petkov is a Bulgarian journalist known to the audience as a primetime news anchor with bTV Media Group (2000 – 2014) and the Director of News, Current Affairs and Sports with the same company (2014 - 2020).
He is also known as the author or producer of more than 40 factual documentaries under the brand bTV Documents. Some of the most popular films he produced have explored the criminal overdevelopment of Bulgaria’s Black Sea resorts, the smuggling of antiquities and the Bulgarian government’s campaign against ethnic Turks in the 1980s.
Venelin Petkov’s documentary A Journey across Afghanistan: Opium and Roses received the distinguished Peabody Award for excellence in broadcast journalism in 2008.
Venelin Petkov holds a Master of Arts Degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Missouri – Columbia (1998) and a Master of Arts Degree in English Philology (English-American Studies) from St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia (1996).
He began his career in journalism in 1994 as a reporter for Bulgaria’s national wire service (the BTA).
He worked as an associate producer/writer for CNN International in Atlanta between 1997 and 1999.
Between 1999 and 2000 he worked as a reporter and morning news anchor for Bulgaria’s state owned TV station BNT-1.