Tirana Bank expands omnichannel retail banking with Backbase

By Aarav Garg

Tirana Bank has gone live with a new omnichannel retail banking platform built on Backbase’s AI-native Banking OS, marking a significant step in the Albanian bank’s digital transformation strategy.

Delivered in 12 months and deployed on Microsoft Azure, the rollout has introduced unified digital banking services across mobile and web channels, with business banking capabilities expected to follow later this year.

The implementation has expanded Tirana Bank’s digital servicing capabilities across accounts, deposits, transfers, bill payments, card management and online lending. Customers can now apply for consumer loans and credit cards digitally, manage multi-currency accounts in Albanian lek and euros, and access financial services without visiting a branch for most routine banking activities.

“Albania is on its path to EU membership, its government has made digitalisation a national priority. Tirana Bank looked at that moment and decided to lead it. They came to us with a clear ambition,” said Robert Mihaljek, Regional Vice President, South East Europe at Backbase. “Twelve months later, they are live with not only MVP but a full Retail APP. This is a first for Albania, and a reference for the Balkans.”

The launch reflects wider investment across regional banking markets in cloud-native and AI-enabled banking infrastructure aimed at improving customer experience, accelerating product delivery and reducing operational complexity. Personal finance management tools embedded into the platform also provide customers with real-time spending insights, an area becoming increasingly important as banks compete with digital-first financial platforms and FinTech providers.

“This launch marks a significant step in our digital transformation journey, as we continue to invest in solutions that bring real, everyday value to our customers. TiBank+ is designed to deliver a seamless and intuitive banking experience, combining convenience with the trust and human connection that define our model,” said Lila Canaj, Chief Retail Business Officer at Tirana Bank. “Through our partnership with Backbase, we have accelerated this transformation, bringing to market a modern and scalable platform built to evolve with our customers’ needs.”

As part of the rollout, Tirana Bank has also introduced Apple Pay support through its mobile application, expanding digital payment options for retail customers in Albania.