Jet Bank has begun operations as Albania’s first fully digital bank, launching its mobile application months after receiving a banking licence from the Bank of Albania in March.

The lender, established as a new institution rather than through an acquisition, enters a banking market where cash remains widely used and digital financial services are still developing.

Jet Bank said in a LinkedIn post more than 75,000 people joined its waiting list in under four months before launch, underscoring demand for digital banking in Albania.

The bank’s technology platform was built on Backbase’s AI-native Banking OS, making it the first bank in the Western Balkans to launch entirely on such infrastructure, according to the software provider.

“A team of 70 professionals built it in 6 months, without legacy debt or multi-year implementation,” Backbase said in a LinkedIn post.

Jet Bank chief executive Fatbardha Rino said Albania was chosen because of its long-term potential.

“Jet Bank chose to launch in Albania because we believe in the country’s potential, its people, entrepreneurs, and future,” Rino said.

She added the bank aims to deliver “simplicity, accessibility, and technology” while helping customers save time managing finances.

The lender said its services allow customers to open and manage accounts fully remotely, offering real-time core banking services as competition intensifies across Southeast Europe’s banking sector.