Nicolae Bălcescu (until 1948 Ferdinand, and previously Satu Nou, Hungarian: Ferdinándújfalu) is a commune in Bacău County, Western Moldavia, Romania. It is composed of five villages: Buchila, Galbeni, Lărguța, Nicolae Bălcescu, and Valea Seacă. It also included Bălțata and Sărata villages until 2004, when they were split off to form Sărata Commune. The commune is located in the central part of the county, just south of the county seat, Bacău. It lies on the right banks of the rivers Bistrița and Siret; the two rivers meet at the Galbeni reservoir, on the east side of the commune.