MBH Bank Plc. is a Hungarian bank. It began operations on 1 May 2023 following the merger of MKB Bank Plc., Takarékbank Ltd. and Budapest Bank Ltd. This triple merger was a unique transaction in the Hungarian domestic banking sector, resulting in the largest Hungarian-owned banking institution as measured by assets and clients. The merger was also characterised by the strong involvement of the Orbán government as well as oligarchs close to Orban (including Là Ârinc Mészáros).
Dr. Zsolt Barna was appointed as the CEO of Magyar Bankholding, a domestically owned financial holding company created to facilitate the merger, in 2020. He has been leading the integration and strategic alignment of the three banks, creating one of HungaryâÂÂs largest banking groups. His leadership focuses on modernization and strengthening the groupâÂÂs position in the financial sector.
MBH Bank has been a market leader in several areas since its inception, including corporate lending, particularly to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, the leasing market, and the agricultural and food industries. MBH Bank has the largest branch network in Hungary, with 400 locations available for in-person customer service. Through its role in the banking sector, MBH Bank creates significant value for the national economy, supporting Hungarian businesses and the retail customers from its position as a "national champion".
MBH Bank currently serves approximately 2.5 million retail and corporate customers. Its total assets exceeds more than HUF 12,8 trillion, making it HungaryâÂÂs second largest bank. Deposits at the bank amount to more than HUF 8 trillion, while the gross loan portfolio is over HUF 6,1 trillion.
The MBH Investment Bank was formed to provide investment services within the MBH Group. It has a decades-long history, previously operating under the name MTB Magyar Takarékszövetkezeti Bank Zrt. until May 1, 2023. The name change reflects the renewed business strategy, aiming to offer a highly diversified portfolio of investment products with expertise across various asset classes, all through a unified "one-stop-shop" approach.
As a result, the domestic banking system gained another Hungarian-owned player, further increasing competition in the market. MBH Bank sells its portfolio of investment products uniformly through the established company. MBH Investment Bank also acts as a knowledge hub, combining the expertise and experience of MBH Bank, MBH Fund Management, MBH Investment Bank, and the Investment Analysis Centre.
Key balance sheet data and results (HUF million)
In 2022, Magyar Bankholding announced that it had selected Thought Machine, the London-based central banking technology company, to launch its next-generation digital bank. The banking group has established a foundation to implement this project, aiming to create a modern digital bank for Hungarians. This foundation is using Thought MachineâÂÂs core banking platform, Vault Core, to power the new digital bank and introduce a full range of new digital, retail-first products and services that will enable customers to save, pay and borrow conveniently.
MBH Bank Plc. has been listed on the Budapest Stock Exchange since May 2019, when MKB Bank Plc., which was renamed to MBH Bank in the triple merger, was first listed. The largest shareholder with almost half of the shares is Là Ârinc Mészáros.
MBH Bank Plc. has held several bond issuances since its 2023.
On January 21, 2025, MBH Bank Plc. saw strong investor interest in its new international MREL-eligible bond. More than EUR 1.6 billion was offered by investors, which amounts to more than three times the minimum target set at launch. Based on the bids received, the credit institution decided to issue bonds with a total nominal value of EUR 750 million, making it the largest MREL-eligible bond transaction ever undertaken by a Hungarian issuer.
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Zsolt Barna
Board of Directors:
Chief Officers: Ildikó Ginzer, Levente Szabó, ÃÂdám Egerszegi, Kitti Dobi, Péter Krizsanovich, Dr. Beatrix Mészáros, András Bakonyi, András Puskás
Supervisory Board: Kitti Dobi, Zsigmond Járai, Miklós Vaszily, Dr. Ilona Török, Rita Feodor
VISA Awards 2023
ESG Awards 2023
EXIM Awards 2024
FocusEconomics Analyst Forecast Awards 2024
Top Employers Institute 2024
Euromoney Global Private Banking Awards 2024
Euromoney Global Private Banking Awards 2025
MBH Bank has set strategic objectives to create infrastructure, products and services for both retail and corporate clients that will help them to achieve their own sustainability and climate goals.
MBH Bank is a responsible partner in Green Finance, helping in areas such as waste and water management, energy consumption, energy efficiency and also areas of other projects with environmental impacts.
At the Budapest Climate Summit 2023 international conference, the financial institution announced its comprehensive ESG program âÂÂSustainable Future BankâÂÂ. The programme spans several years and aims to protect natural habitats and animal species and to achieve HungaryâÂÂs climate goals.
To support biodiversity, the bank entered into cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and launched a joint program with HungaryâÂÂs 10 national parks to protect the countryâÂÂs green habitats and wildlife. Through this collaboration, MBH bank is providing HUF 30 million in support to the National Parks. As part of MBHâÂÂs forest and tree planting campaigns, 13,000 native tree seedlings were planted last year with the involvement of the bankâÂÂs employees.
MBH Bank developed a generational diversity program that won several professional HR awards.
MBH BankâÂÂs social responsibility program covers a broad spectrum of initiatives. The bankâÂÂs priority causes include supporting the socially disadvantaged through inclusion, education and the development of financial awareness and digital literacy, as well as supporting Hungarian art and culture (Hungarian Art and Business).