Banca de Scont (Discount Bank), Timisoara

The building of the Discount Bank, also known as the Miksa Steiner Palace, is one of the most admired landmarks in Timisoara. Standing proudly on the southwest corner of Union Square, this elegant building was completed in 1909 and designed by the renowned architects Marczell Komor and Dezso Jakab. It is a striking example of Hungarian Secession architecture, the Central European branch of Art Nouveau, which left a distinctive imprint on the city’s urban landscape at the turn of the 20th century.

The palace takes its name from its sponsor, Max Steiner, a successful spodium maker who commissioned the building as a revenue property. Besides this palace, Steiner also invested in another rental building in the Fabric district, reinforcing his reputation as a key local figure in real estate development. The building was more than just a residence or commercial space-it also housed the headquarters of the De Scont Bank of Southern Hungary, a financial institution founded in 1906 that operated here during the pre-war years.

What makes the Palace of the Discount Bank particularly memorable is its artistic detailing. The façade is adorned with Zsolnay glazed ceramic ornaments and national decorative motifs that embody the Secession style. The symbolic ornamentation clearly reflects its original function as a bank. Notably, the presence of beehive motifs-placed on the pediment and above the entrance door-evokes industriousness and prosperity, timeless emblems of financial stability.

Following its recent restoration, the palace has regained much of its former splendor, becoming once again a focal point of Union Square. For visitors strolling through the heart of Timisoara, the building stands as both a work of architectural art and a reminder of the city’s vibrant economic and cultural past, making it one of the most beloved sites in the historic centre.