The Former National Bank of Romania (Fosta Bancă Națională a României) is a monumental early-20th-century building in Bârlad, originally constructed for the local branch of the National Bank of Romania and later converted into Hotel Premier.
The National Bank established a branch in Bârlad before the present building was erected, but the earlier premises eventually became too small for its operations. A new headquarters was therefore built in 1910 on what is now Bulevardul Republicii, giving the bank a much larger and more representative presence in the city. The branch remained here until around 1990, when the National Bank withdrew from towns that were not county seats.
The building was subsequently converted into Hotel Premier, which occupied the former bank for several decades before eventually closing. Its exterior still reflects the formality of the original banking headquarters, with a broad symmetrical façade organized around a strongly emphasized central entrance. The lower level is treated more heavily, while the upper floor is articulated by tall rectangular windows, pilasters and decorative surrounds. A pronounced cornice and balustraded roofline complete the composition, giving the building the imposing civic character typical of major financial institutions of the period.
