Central Cooperative Bank

What Central Cooperative Bank does

Central Cooperative Bank AD (Централна Кооперативна Банка АД, CCB) is a Bulgarian universal commercial bank founded in 1991 and headquartered in Sofia, operating as a privately held joint-stock company within the Chimimport AD group of companies. The bank serves both retail and corporate customers across Bulgaria through an extensive branch network (Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, Ruse, Pleven, Stara Zagora, Pazardzhik, Pernik, and others) and maintains an international branch in Cyprus for cross-border banking. Its product portfolio spans deposits, savings and current accounts, consumer and mortgage loans, corporate and SME financing, debit and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and a co-branded credit card with Bulgaria Air), payment services, insurance intermediation, pension and asset management, and merchant acquiring (POS terminals). Customer segments are organized vertically into retail/individual (Физически лица) and business/corporate (Фирми) lines with dedicated sub-brands such as CCB Mobile, CCB Online, CCB Bonus, CCB Club, and CCB Emotion.

The bank's core technology is a banking information system wired directly into multiple payment infrastructures: BISERA (Bulgarian domestic), STEP2 (pan-European SEPA via EBA Clearing), TARGET (Eurosystem RTGS), and TIPS (pan-European instant settlement), enabling real-time 24/7 euro payments up to 15,000 EUR through the branded "blink" service. International transfers are executed via SWIFT (code CECBBGSF) across a correspondent network of 12 banks in Europe, North America, and Asia, with a nostro account at Bank of New York Mellon enabling transfers in 120+ world currencies. Digital channels include CCB Mobile (iOS/Android/Huawei AppGallery), CCB Online (electronic-signature-secured internet banking), a Viber chatbot, SMS notifications, and POS/virtual POS terminals. Security is anchored on E-Secure authentication with biometric support and Click to Pay.

The revenue model is not publicly disclosed. The bank operates a transaction-based / take-rate model on payment services with differentiated pricing that rewards digital channels (lower fees for CCB Mobile/CCB Online versus branch services), interest income on deposits and credit products per bank tariff, and fee income from cards, insurance intermediation, asset management, and merchant acquiring. Customer acquisition is omnichannel — branch, digital, and partner distribution (Bulgaria Air co-brand, insurance partners ZAD Armeets, ZEAD CCB Life, POAD CCB Sila, CCB Assets Management). The bank is regulated by GDPR, FATCA, and PSD2, and is actively preparing for Bulgaria's eurozone adoption.

Name

Central Cooperative Bank

Legal name

Централна Кооперативна Банка АД

Website

https://ccbank.bg

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Central Cooperative Bank AD is a privately held Bulgarian universal commercial bank founded in 1991, serving retail and corporate customers across Bulgaria (plus a Cyprus branch) with deposits, lending, payments, cards, digital banking, and insurance/asset management products, and is a direct participant in BISERA, STEP2, TARGET, and TIPS payment systems.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail and Corporate Banking

NAICS

Commercial Banking (52211)

SIC

State Commercial Banks (6022)

akta.pro primary industry

Cooperative Banks (Member-Owned Commercial/Retail) (FSABAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mass-Market Consumer Deposit Banking (Checking/Savings) (FSABAAAA), Co-Branded Credit Cards (FSAKABAB), Multi-Currency Accounts, Wallets & IBAN Services (FSAMAIAG)

Keywords

• Retail banking services
• Corporate banking
• Consumer lending
• Payment processing
• Digital banking

Headquarters

HQ city

Sofia

HQ country

Bulgaria

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Central Cooperative Bank AD is a universal Bulgarian commercial bank providing deposit accounts, mortgage and consumer loans, business financing, debit and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, co-branded CCB-BG Air), and payment services for retail and corporate clients. Its payment infrastructure directly participates in BISERA, STEP2, TARGET, and TIPS, enabling instant euro transfers and international SWIFT transfers in 15+ currencies, supported by digital channels CCB Mobile and CCB Online alongside an extensive branch network and a Cyprus branch.

Product overview

Central Cooperative Bank (CCB) operates a comprehensive retail and corporate banking platform offering diverse products and services across multiple channels. The core digital banking infrastructure includes CCB Online (web-based internet banking requiring electronic signature) and CCB Mobile (iOS/Android mobile app). Payment services feature multi-system integration: Blink and TIPS for instant euro payments, SEPA via STEP2 for cross-border transfers, TARGET for large-value RTGS settlements, BISSERA for domestic euro payments, and SWIFT for international transfers in 15+ currencies. Card portfolio includes Visa Debit Infinite (premium with lounge access and 0.5% cashback), World Debit Mastercard, standard Visa Debit, and CCB-BG Air co-branded credit card with airline benefits. Security features include E-Secure authentication with biometric capability and Click to Pay. Loyalty programs CCB Bonus and CCB Club provide rewards. Supporting services include mortgage loans (DOM ZA TEB), consumer loans (Credit Doverie, Credit Dnes), deposits in multiple currencies, SMS services, Viber Chat Bot support, and merchant acquiring (POS terminals). The bank maintains international correspondent banking through Bank of New York Mellon for 120+ currency coverage.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CCB Mobile: Mobile banking application for iOS and Android devices enabling customers to perform financial transactions remotely
• CCB Online
• CCB Club
• CCB Bonus
• blink
• CCB Emotion
• DOM ZA TEB
• KREDIT DOVERIE

Products and services

• CCB Online Internet banking platform enabling individual and corporate customers to perform account management, transfers, bill payments, and other banking operations online. Requires electronic signature for secure access.
• CCB Mobile Mobile banking application for iOS, Android, and Huawei devices providing account access, transfers, bill payments, and online credit and credit card applications.
• Internal Bank Transfers Instant money transfers between CCB customers regardless of branch location, processed within minutes through modern banking information systems.
• SEPA Credit Transfers Euro-denominated payment service via the STEP2 platform enabling cross-border payments within the SEPA area with same-day value for orders received by 16:00.
• BLINK Instant Payments Local instant payment service in euro integrated with BISSERA, enabling real-time euro transfers up to 15,000 EUR within Bulgaria 24/7/365 with funds reaching the recipient within seconds.
• BLINK P2P Peer-to-peer instant payment service enabling money transfers using mobile phone numbers, with funds reaching recipients within seconds.
• International Currency Transfers via SWIFT Foreign currency transfer service using the SWIFT network, processing transfers in 15 convertible currencies via correspondent banks in Europe, North America, and Asia, with transfers in over 120 currencies available through the Bank of New York Mellon nostro account.
• Visa Debit Infinite Premium Visa debit card with unlimited free access to select business lounges, 0.5% cashback on transactions, and personal concierge service.
• World Debit Mastercard International Mastercard debit card with contactless PayPass, secure internet payments via E-Secure, and complimentary extra baggage on Bulgaria Air flights.
• Visa Debit Standard contactless Visa debit card with fast, convenient payments and secure internet transactions via E-Secure.
• CCB-BG Air Co-branded Credit Card Co-branded credit card with Bulgaria Air offering 3% discount on Bulgaria Air tickets, free travel insurance abroad, and benefits through CCB Club and CCB Bonus programs.
• Home Mortgage Loan (DOM ZA TEB) Mortgage loan product for residential property purchase with competitive rates and flexible terms, available to individual customers.
• Consumer Loan (Credit Doverie) Personal credit product providing financial support for various consumer needs.
• Consumer Loan (Credit Dnes) Quick personal loan product for immediate financial needs.
• Working Capital Loans for Businesses Business credit product providing working capital financing for corporate clients.
• Investment Loans for Businesses Investment credit product supporting business capital expenditure and growth projects for corporate clients.
• European Program Financing Loan products offered under European Union programs for Bulgarian businesses.
• Standard Deposits Time and savings deposits available in EUR, USD, GBP, and CHF with flexible term options for individual customers.
• POS Terminals (Merchant Acquiring) Physical and virtual point-of-sale terminals enabling merchants to accept card payments in-store and via e-commerce.
• Pension Insurance Pension insurance products distributed through CCB branches as part of the bank's financial services offering for individual customers.
• Insurance Intermediation Insurance products distributed through CCB in partnership with ZAD Armeets, ZEAD CCB Life, and POAD CCB Sila for individual and corporate customers.
• Investment Funds (CCB Assets Management) Investment fund products (Договорни фондове) distributed through CCB branches by CCB Assets Management to individual and corporate customers.
• Airline Ticket Purchasing Airline ticket purchasing service offered through CCB's platform in partnership with Bulgaria Air.
• Public Vault Services Public vault / safe deposit box services provided at CCB branches for individual and corporate clients.
• Financial Instruments and Foreign Exchange Trading Financial instruments trading and foreign exchange services offered to individuals and corporate clients through CCB.
• Western Union Money Transfers International cross-border remittance service available through Western Union partnership for individual customers.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration17 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bulgaria Air (България Еър)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-branded credit card CCB-BG Air offering 3% discount on Bulgaria Air tickets, free travel insurance, and bonus program benefits. Exclusive airline partner for co-branded card products.
• VisacoreTechnology or IntegrationCard network partner providing Visa debit and credit cards including Visa Debit Infinite premium card. Integration for contactless payments, Apple Pay, and international payment services.
• MastercardcoreTechnology or IntegrationCard network partner providing World Debit Mastercard and other card products with features including free baggage insurance on Bulgaria Air flights.
• EBA Clearing (STEP2)coreTechnology or IntegrationPan-European payment system operator. CCB is a direct participant in STEP2, processing SEPA credit transfers with approximately 160 direct participant banks and 4,800 indirect participants.
• European System (TARGET)coreTechnology or IntegrationCCB is a direct participant in TARGET payment system operated by Eurosystem (ECB and national central banks of 21 euro-area countries). Used for large-value RTGS euro transfers.
• Boriska AD (BISERA)coreTechnology or IntegrationNational payment system operator for SEPA credit transfers in Bulgaria. CCB is a direct participant with same-day or next-day transfer settlement capability.
• ZAD Armeets (ЗАД Армеец)minorOthersInsurance company partner offering insurance products through CCB distribution channels.
• ZEAD CCB Zhivot (ЗЕАД ЦКБ Живот)minorOthersLife insurance company within CCB group offering pension and life insurance products.
• POAD CCB Sila (ПОАД ЦКБ Сила)minorOthersInsurance company partner within CCB group structure.
• CCB Assets Management (ЦКБ Асетс Мениджмънт)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAsset management company within CCB group offering investment fund products (Договорни фондове) distributed through CCB branches.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• UniCredit Bulbank: Largest universal bank in Bulgaria, controlled by UniCredit S.p.A., offering full retail, corporate, and payment services. Directly comparable to CCB across the same Bulgarian customer base and product mix, but operating at materially larger scale as a Western European-owned incumbent.
• DSK Bank: Major Bulgarian universal bank owned by Hungary's OTP Group, with nationwide branch network and full retail/corporate offering. Comparable to CCB in product breadth (deposits, lending, cards, payments) and direct participation in Bulgarian payment systems; larger balance sheet than CCB.
• Raiffeisenbank Bulgaria: Subsidiary of Austrian Raiffeisen Bank International, providing full-service retail, corporate, and SME banking in Bulgaria. Comparable to CCB's universal banking positioning with strong group backing and cross-border payment/correspondent capabilities.

Direct peers

• Piraeus Bank Bulgaria: Bulgarian subsidiary of Greek Piraeus Financial Holdings offering retail and corporate banking. Directly comparable peer for CCB on the Bulgarian market with overlapping deposit, lending, card, and payment service offerings to similar customer segments.
• Investbank: Mid-sized Bulgarian universal bank offering retail deposits, consumer and mortgage lending, and corporate banking services. Comparable peer given similar scale tier, Bulgarian geographic concentration, and full-service retail/corporate banking mix.
• Allianz Bank Bulgaria: Bulgarian bank within the Allianz Group, serving retail and corporate clients with deposits, lending, and bancassurance products. Comparable to CCB's integrated banking+insurance distribution model and similar mid-sized positioning in the Bulgarian market.
• ProCredit Bank Bulgaria: Part of the ProCredit Group, focused on SME and retail banking with strong digital channels in Bulgaria. Comparable to CCB in serving Bulgarian SMEs and individuals, with similar emphasis on digital banking and standardized deposit/loan products.
• United Bulgarian Bank (UBB): KBC Group-owned Bulgarian universal bank serving retail and SME segments with digital and branch channels. Directly comparable to CCB across deposit accounts, payment services, cards, and consumer/SME lending; similar mid-sized position in the Bulgarian banking market.
• First Investment Bank (Fibank): Privately held Bulgarian universal bank (with public ticker on BSE-Sofia) offering retail and corporate banking, cards, and payment services. Comparable to CCB in operating model, product breadth, geographic footprint within Bulgaria, and dependence on Bulgarian economic cycle.
• Eurobank Bulgaria (Eurobank EFG - Bulgaria): Universal bank in Bulgaria, part of the Greek Eurobank Holdings group, with strong corporate and retail banking franchise. Comparable to CCB across retail deposits, corporate lending, cards (Visa/Mastercard), and SEPA/euro payment services offered to Bulgarian customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/central-cooperative-bank-ad

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Central Cooperative Bank