Digital-only lender Jet Bank begins operations in Albania 

Jet Bank has started operating as a digital-only bank in Albania and has released its mobile application. 

The lender is licensed and supervised by the Bank of Albania.  

It received its banking licence in March 2026 as a newly established institution rather than through an acquisition and began operations a few months later. 

The bank technology platform was built entirely on Backbase’s AI-native Banking OS.  

The bank was developed without legacy code, with a team of 70 professionals completing the work in six months. 

Backbase CEO Jouk Pleiter said: “Launching a licensed bank with such a small team in a matter of months would have been unthinkable until recently. Jet Bank did it by building on one AI-native foundation instead of the patchwork of legacy systems that many banks are still untangling – so customers, employees and, in time, AI agents all operate from a unified frontline rather than a dozen disconnected channels. This is what building for the AI era from day one looks like.”  

Before the launch, more than 75,000 people had joined the waiting list. Users who registered are now being invited in stages to activate their accounts. 

Customers can open and manage accounts remotely through a mobile-led service, with basic banking functions available in real time. 

At the start of operations, the app includes multi-currency current accounts, savings accounts and term deposits. 

It also offers savings goals through JetPlans, virtual and physical debit cards, and foreign exchange transactions. 

Loans and credit cards are due to be added in the coming months, alongside further products and services. 

Jet Bank CEO Fatbardha Rino commented: “Jet Bank chose to launch in Albania because we believe in the country’s potential, its people, entrepreneurs, and future. We are building a bank designed around simplicity, accessibility, and technology, with the goal of giving our customers back time and freedom in managing their finances. 

“Our partnership with Backbase has enabled us to bring that bank to market in a matter of months and to keep improving it for our customers.”