Bulgaria's First Investment Bank (FIBank) has embarked on an intensive expansion of its office network in Sofia and throughout the country, the financial institution said. FIBank has opened a total of seven new offices since the beginning of 2008.

Three of the offices were inaugurated in Sofia, while one new office was opened in Bansko, Razlog, Botevgrad and Blagoevgrad each. The bank plans to increase the number of its offices by over 40% in 2008. A total of 20 offices will be opened in Mezdra, Kazanlak, Sozopol, Novi Pazar, Aksakovo, and Provadia by the start of the summer.

„Part of FIBank's strategy for 2008 includes the expansion of its branch network, the establishment of the new corporate image of the bank and improving the quality of the services”, Branch Network Director, Vasil Hristov, said.

FIBank is one of the few banks in Bulgarian whose offices are open for business with customers until 19.00 o'clock, including on Saturdays. The offices of the bank in regional cities are also open between 10.00 and 16.00 o'clock on Sundays.

FIBank opened a total of 21 new offices in Bulgaria in 2007. The financial institution currently operates 124 offices in 53 towns across the country, one branch in Cyprus and a subsidiary bank - FIBank -Albania.