The building was declared an architectural and artistic cultural site of national importance in issue no. 40 of the State Gazette of 1978;

The wood carved desk at which the famous Bulgarian banker, Atanas Burov, used to work, is a real work of art;

The building at 1, Ivan Vazov Str. has always been a bank;

Customers of the branch may avail themselves of special promotional offers by the end of November.

UniCredit Bulbank marked 100 years since the construction of the building of Ivan Vazov Branch. The building is a cultural heritage site and is characterized by its outstanding value in terms of architecture and history. Its construction was completed in 1912 and it was designed by the architect Nikola Lazarov. It was to house the then Central Cooperative Bank.

The building was declared an architectural and artistic cultural site of national importance in the issue no. 40 of the State Gazette of 1978.

Not only the exterior but also the interior of the building is impressive. The wood carved desk is a real work of art. It was in the director’s office and the famous Bulgarian banker Atanas Burov worked at it. Now Alexander Krastev, UniCredit Bulbank’s Chief Risk Officer, uses the desk.

Initially the building at 1, Ivan Vazov Str. was a three-storey building. In the early 20s of the XX century additional storeys were built with the design of the architectural studio “Nichev, Fingov & Apostolov.”

The lavishly decorated gypsum ceiling is among the most precious elements of the building. Documents kept at the National Institute for Cultural Sites show that the rooms of interest on the second floor used to be meeting rooms and the round office in the past. The decorations of the ceiling and the profile panels are still preserved. In the corridors there are other elements of interest, such as the sculptures around the main staircase and the gypsum ceilings.

Apart from the then Central Cooperative Bank the building at 1, Ivan Vazov Str. used to house also Biochim and Commercial Bank (CB) Serdica. It is curious to know that there was a time before the merger of Biochim and Serdica in September 1995 when the two banks used the building together. CB Serdica occupied the part of the building with the entrance to Ivan Vazov Str., while Biochim occupied the part of the building with the entrance to Rakovski Str.

In the beginning of the XX century the Bulgarian banking institutions were building up their image and reputation and that was the reason why the building was a symbol of economic might evoked by the dignity of its classical look.

Various repair works and partial interior reconstructions were made over the years; however, constructions were made with a view to preserving the interior elements of the building of architectural and artistic value and at the same time continuing to maintain the building as a fully functioning bank branch.

On the occasion of the 100 anniversary of the construction of the building of Ivan Vazon Branch new customers of the bank will be given free of charge for the first three months a current account, a debit card with the service Bulbank Online. Current customers may also avail themselves of the offer by adding funds of minimum BGN 1, 000 to their deposit. With each new credit product (consumer loan, mortgage loan, overdraft and credit card) customers will be given a gift card for shopping at Office One Superstore stores worth BGN 30. The promotional offers are valid only for Ivan Vazov Branch by the end of November.

More information for media:

UniCredit Bulbank, Identity & Communications Department

Viktoria Blajeva, Phone: + 359 2 9264 993, wjlj/ebwjepwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

Ekaterina Ancheva, Phone: + 359 2 9264 963, flbufsjob/bodifwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

Magdalena Ivanova, Phone: + 359 2 9232 528, nbhebmfob/jwbopwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch