Romanian Commercial Bank (BCR) president Nicolae Danila resigned on Tuesday, a BCR press release informs. Danila will be replaced at the helm of Austrian group Erste's subsidiary in Romania by deputy CEO Manfred Wimmer who will take over the seat for an interim period starting December 2007.

Danila is one of Romania's elite bankers with the longest stay in a position, as he served as BCR head starting 2000 and through the 2005 privatization of the bank.

The press release quotes Danila as saying that he will leave the bank starting December 1, 2007. he says he trusts his successor would continue the BCR “success story”.

Manfred Wimmer, 51, led the Erste team in charge with the acquisition of the BCR in the privatization process that concluded two years ago. As deputy head of BCR, he is in charge with the integration of the Romanian banking group with Erste Group.

His priorities would be to conclude the program of integration and development, improving the management system and the performance models within BCR and strengthening the BCR leadership in the sector.