OTP banka launches Generator Zero
Belgrade, November 18, 2021 – One of the key strategical orientation will be marked by the “green transition” in business and by commitment to sustainable business and environmental sustainability, as confirmed by the topic of the new Generator Zero entrepreneurship contest, officially opened today.
Generator Zero is dedicated to supporting and rewarding innovative sustainable solution projects with real and measurable effect on decreasing carbon footprint – one of today s main challenges. The contest opened from November 17 for micro, small, medium and startup companies, informal start teams and entrepreneurs, which may apply through website Generator by December 20, 2021 at midnight.
The bank is looking for solutions that have a clear plan of the necessary resources and funds for its realization, and priority will be given to those whose realization is possible within six months from the moment of receiving the award.
The jury will select the finalists from the received applications and all of them will be rewarded with media promotion and promotion on the Bank’s communication channels. The prize for the winner will be 2,000,000.00 dinars and support in further development and promotion. In addition, part of the prize for the winner will be project presentation in OTP Lab Innovation Hub of parent OTP Group, which is present in 11 countries in Europe, as well as in the Portfolion investment fund.
Numerous partners recognized the importance of the Generator: Mastercard, Schneider Electric, Bosch, ICT HUB, Serbia Innovates, Initiative Digital Serbia, Netokracija and BOŠ – the Belgrade Open School, as well as OTP lab innovation hub of OTP Group and the Portfolion investment fund. Project partners also award numerous prizes to the best finalists.
About Generator:
In order to strengthen the competitiveness of domestic entrepreneurship, Generator was designed and launched in 2017, as a project that brings together and supports solutions that encourage innovative entrepreneurial ventures. That year, Generator supported 40 entrepreneurial innovations through financial support, promotion and mentoring. Next year, 2018, the best student entrepreneurial innovations were awarded, and Generator 2.0 was intended for the digital transformation of small and medium enterprises. At the end of 2019, within the Generator, the bank launched the Generator of Good Deeds, which supported six social enterprises and their representatives. In the year marked by the pandemic, Generator Gamechanger was dedicated to digital projects, websites, applications and other platforms that help small and medium enterprises to overcome the challenges they faced. At the beginning of 2021, another cycle of support was organized for five individuals and small businesses under the roof of the Generator of Good Deeds, this time in an online environment.
PwC Serbia “ESG Leader” – Contest for Sustainable Business Leaders
Our member, PwC Serbia announces the ‘ESG Leaders’ contest with the aim of recognizing and rewarding organizations and individuals who excel in the field of ESG.
This includes developing strategic visions for sustainable development, implementing innovative and environmentally friendly solutions, or creating educational programs that contribute to social and economic green transformation.
The competition is held in four main categories: strategy, innovations, educational program and Leader in Sustainable Development (for individuals).
For all relevant information and details please click on link: PWC ESG Leaders
Participation in the competition is free of charge, and the deadline for submitting applications is April 22, 2024.
Raiffeisen Banka a.d. Beograd successfully closed acquisition of Crédit Agricole Srbija A.D. Novi Sad
Belgrade, April 1st, 2022 – Raiffeisen banka a.d. Beograd announces that it has, upon receiving necessary approvals from the National Bank of Serbia and relevant regulatory bodies, successfully closed the acquisition of 100 per cent of the shares of Crédit Agricole Srbija (Crédit Agricole Srbija A.D. Novi Sad and CA Leasing Srbija d.o.o.) from Crédit Agricole S.A.
“With this acquisition, we are realizing our long-term strategic plans regarding our business expansion in Serbia,“ Zoran Petrović, CEO of Raiffeisen banka, stated on this occasion. “We are proud of the fact that our head office, Raiffeisen Bank International AG, recognized the potential in Serbia and supported us in the intention to position ourselves in the market even better. We express our gratitude towards the National Bank of Serbia, for having a highly professional approach to the approval process of this acquisition. Strengthened by a high-quality product and service offering, but most of all by the people of Crédit Agricole, we will be in a position to offer superior customer experience to an even greater number of clients in all segments and to become the bank recommended by the greatest number of individuals and companies in Serbia,“ he added.
The acquisition process started in August 2021 when the contract was signed, and the merger of Raiffeisen banka a.d. Beograd and Crédit Agricole Srbija A.D. Novi Sad is expected to be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2023. Consequently, Raiffeisen banka is expected to increase its market share to 12 per cent* and to rank third* by total assets. After the merger with Crédit Agricole bank, the loan portfolio of Raiffeisen banka is expected to reach almost € 3 billion and the client base to exceed one million.
”Crédit Agricole enhances the business of Raiffeisen Group in Serbia in the best manner, thanks to its complementary business model and the same values we share. Our clients will continue receiving the high-quality services they they are accustomed to in the following months, until the merger has been fully completed. We are looking forward to starting this path together and building an even stronger bank that will, thanks to its innovative service, be even more competitive,” stated Petar Jovanović, new CEO of Crédit Agricole and former Deputy Chairman of the Managing Board of Raiffeisen banka.
* Data on market share and market ranking are based on the latest published data form the National bank of Serbia, as of 30.09.2021
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Raiffeisen banka a.d. Beograd is a member of Raiffeisen Bank International, one of the leading banking groups in Central and Eastern Europe. It began its business activities in 2001, and is developing its focus in three segments: retail banking, corporate banking, treasury and investment banking.
For more information, please contact:
Katarina Gaborović
Marketing & PR Department
Raiffeisen banka a.d. Beograd
Đorđa Stanojevića 16, Beograd
katarina.gaborovic@raiffeisenbank.rs
tel. +381 11 2207 301
Jelena Lapčević
Marketing & PR Department
Raiffeisen banka a.d. Beograd
Đorđa Stanojevića 16, Beograd
jelena.lapcevic@raiffeisenbank.rs
tel. +381 11 2207 306
Raiffeisen Banka a.d. Beograd Successfully Merged with RBA Banka a.d. Novi Sad
“This mutual journey has lasted a year and has confirmed the great potential for synergy and the complementary nature of the business models of the two banks. It would have been impossible to bring it to an end without the teams of our staff, their expertise and energy invested into the success of the joint project. Today, when we are embarking on further business as an even stronger, larger and joint bank, represents also the start of a new chapter – for us, as well as for our clients. They will have “the best of both banks“ at their disposal: an even larger branch network across Serbia, improved user experience, banking that combines the most advanced technologies with traditional knowledge and expertise“, Zoran Petrović, CEO of Raiffeisen banka, stated on this occasion.
The bank also emphasizes that great appreciation for the success of the integration project is due to its Austrian parent company, Raiffeisen Bank International, as well as the regulator, the National Bank of Serbia, which offered support and the framework for the realization of this most important endeavour since the beginning of the business activities of Raiffeisen banka in Serbia in 2001.
The integrated Raiffeisen banka has increased its market share in Serbia to 12 per cent*. The loan portfolio exceeded a value of almost € 3 billion, deposit potential of more than € 4.5 billion and the database of active clients exceeded the number of 1 million users.
The bank continues offering its services to clients at a total of 139 locations across Serbia, with an increased number of ATMs, which exceeds the number of 300 devices. Thanks to the quality of digital services and the most advanced banking solutions, clients who were doing business with RBA banka so far, will have at their disposal multifunctional devices or “smart ATMs“ for performing various transactions, available around the clock, seven days a week. The broad range of innovative digital solutions in both retail and corporate segments, products and services available fully online (account opening, loan approval, etc), will also contribute to their improved user experience.
On the other hand, RBA banka brings broad experience and expertise in doing business with the agricultural segment, where it was one of the market leaders in the past years, into the integrated bank. The joint bank will continue developing its business in this area and further improving its agricultural offer – for large agricultural companies, but also small acrigultural and family farms.
The bank will continue fostering those values that are woven into the business foundations of the whole Raiffeisen Group: responsibility towards the environment and the community where it does business, nurturing long-term partnerships with institutions in areas on which the power of every society is based on – art and culture, sports, education and science, protection of the environment.
*Data on the market share and market position is based on the officially available data published by the NBS as at September 30, 2022.
Raiffeisen banka a.d. Beograd is a member of Raiffeisen Bank International, one of the leading banking groups in Central and Eastern Europe. It began its business activities in 2001 and is continually developing its activities in retail banking, corporate banking, as well as treasury and investment banking.
For more information, please contact:
Katarina Gaborović Jelena Lapčević
Marketing&PR Department Marketing&PR Department
Raiffeisen banka a.d. Beograd Raiffeisen banka a.d. Beograd
Đorđa Stanojevića 16 Đorđa Stanojevića 16
Beograd Beograd
katarina.gaborovic@raiffeisenbank.rs jelena.lapcevic@raiffeisenbank.rs
tel. +381 11 2207 301 tel. +381 11 2207 306
www.raiffeisenbank.rs www.raiffeisenbank.rs
Raiffeisen Banka Actively Taking Part in the Switch Towards Green Economy
Raiffeisen banka has introduced investment loans for the purchase of solar panels intended for micro and small enterprises and entrepreneurs into its product offer. The maximum repayment period is ten years, with a grace period of up to 12 months.
Jelena Aksić, Member of the Managing Board of Raiffeisen banka in charge of Retail Banking, says these specialized loans for solar panels aimed at the business segment will boost investments into renewable energy sources as well as have an additional impact on environmental protection, while also enabling clients to reduce the impact of changes on the fuel market.
By offering these loans for purchasing solar panels intended for micro and small enterprises and entrepreneurs, Raiffeisen banka has expanded the range of products which can help companies save energy used in their business and also contribute to environmental protection.
Raiffeisen banka issues loans for solar panels for a maximum repayment term of up to ten years, along with other important benefits.
One of them is also a 12-month grace period. This means that those who opt for this kind of investment will pay the first installment only after one year.
Also, the minimal downpayment for loans for the purchase of solar panels is ten per cent. The loan approval fee has also been reduced and it now amounts to 0.5 per cent of the total loan amount approved.
And that is not all. With investment loans for the purchase of solar panels no mortgage is necessary. For this type of loan, a pledge on solar panels is sufficient, in accordance with the creditworthiness of the client and the bank’s Credit Policy.
“Raiffeisen banka is actively taking part in solving the problem of environmental protection. It is our obligation to search for the best models and be part of the solution. With these specialized loans for the purchase of solar panels intended for micro and small enterprises and entrepreneurs, we will enable our clients to save money, but also to be individual producers of green energy and that way to plan their budgets better and reduce their dependence of changes in the fuel market“, Jelena Aksić stated.
In a representative calculation for clients of the bank, if the investment value is RSD 7 million, the monthly installment for a repayment period of ten years amount to RSD 58,333.33.
You can find more information on the web page for solar panel loans https://www.raiffeisenbank.rs/solarni-paneli/
Raiffeisen Banka and NF Innova Receive Prestigious “Finovate” Award for “iKeš” Loan
The first true online cash loan in Serbia, “iKeš”, is the winner of the “Best Consumer Lending Platform” award in the international selection of “Finovate Awards”. Raiffeisen banka’s loan product, created in cooperation with company NF Innova, is the first banking solution from Serbia to win an award in this competition of the best global digital and technology innovations.
“This prestigious award confirmed that ‘iKeš’ really is a revolutionary loan product, not just in our local banking market”, stated Petar Jovanović, Deputy Chairman of the Managing Board of Raiffeisen banka, on this occasion. “When we introduced this online loan last year, we were pioneers not just in Serbia and this region, but also in the whole Raiffeisen Group, and this award is proof that, as far as innovations are concerned, we can compete internationally as well”.
“iKeš” is a loan entirely processed and disbursed online and available to all citizens, even to those who are not clients of Raiffeisen banka. At the outset of the Covid-19 virus outbreak, such manner of obtaining a loan gained in significance since it enables the client fast and easy access to financial means without any physical contact. In the course of the preceding months, the bank has been registering a growth of approved “iKeš” loans, as well as a high level of customer satisfaction.
Constant improvements of digital services and introducing state-of-the-art technologies are the main features of the long-term partnership between Raiffeisen banka and company NF Innova.
“It was through our long-standing partnership that Raiffeisen banka positioned itself as an innovator in the market as concerns digital services and by using the NF Innova digital banking platform, the bank has the opportunity to continue innovating internationally and this award proves it”, stated Vasa Šegrt, General Manager of NF Innova. ’’We will continue to improve digital services offered by Raiffeisen banka in our further mutual cooperation“.
“Finovate Awards” gathers global banks, fintech companies, business accelerators and individuals, who compete in 25 different categories. The jury deciding on the winners is made up of leading experts from various industries, managers of large companies, media analytics, founders of fintech companies, etc. This year, they had the tough task of choosing the best in different categories among a record number of solutions submitted.
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Raiffeisen banka a.d. Beograd is a member of Raiffeisen Bank International, one of the largest banking groups in Central and Eastern Europe. It began its business activities in Serbia in 2001 and is now developing its activities in three segments: retail banking, corporate banking and treasury and investment banking. For additional information, please contact the Marketing & PR Department of Raiffeisen banka, phone No. 011/2207-306 or e-mail: marketing@raiffeisenbank.rs.
NF Innova company, member of New Frontier Group, is one of the largest digital banking vendors in Europe. It offers its unique product ‘iBanking’ to visionary financial institutions and guarantees flawless user experience on all digital channels.
For additional information, please contact the Sales & Marketing Department of the company at e-mail: sales@nfinnova.com.
Raiffeisen banka Brings Apple Pay to Visa Cardholders
Belgrade, June 30, 2020 — Raiffeisen banka today brings its customers Apple Pay, a safer, more secure and private way to pay that helps customers avoid handing their payment card to someone else, touching physical buttons or exchanging cash — and uses the power of iPhone to protect every transaction. Customers simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a payment terminal to make a contactless payment. Every Apple Pay purchase is secure because it is authenticated with Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode, as well as a one-time unique dynamic security code.
Apple Pay is accepted in grocery stores, pharmacies, taxis, restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, and many more places. Customers can also use Apple Pay on iPhone, iPad, and Mac to make faster and more convenient purchases in apps or on the web in Safari without having to create accounts or repeatedly type in shipping and billing information. Apple Pay makes it easier to pay for food and grocery deliveries, online shopping, transportation, and parking, among other things. Apple Pay can also be used to make payments in apps on Apple Watch.
Security and privacy are at the core of Apple Pay. When customers use a credit or debit card with Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on the device, nor on Apple servers. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted, and securely stored in the Secure Element, an industry-standard, certified chip designed to store the payment information safely on the device. Apple Pay is easy to set up. On iPhone, simply open the Wallet app, tap +, and follow the steps to add Raiffeisen banka’s credit or debit cards. Once a customer adds a card to iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac, they can start using Apple Pay on that device right away. Customers will continue to receive all of the rewards and benefits offered by Raiffeisen banka’s Visa cards.
For more information on Apple Pay, visit: https://www.raiffeisenbank.rs/digitalne-usluge/apple-pay/
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Raiffeisen banka a.d. Beograd is a member of Raiffeisen Bank International, one of the leading banking groups in CEE. It began its business activities in Serbia in 2001 and is now developing its activities in three segments: retail banking, corporate banking, treasury and investment banking.
For additional information, please contact the Marketing & PR Department of Raiffeisen banka at phone No. 011/2207-306.
Raiffeisen Banka is “Best Private Bank in Serbia”, as Chosen by “Global Finance“ Magazine
The renowned global financial magazine “Global Finance” awarded Raiffeisen banka the title “Best Private Bank in Serbia” for the year 2024. This is the second title awarded by “Global Finance” to Raiffeisen banka in the private banking segment.
Jelena Aksić, Member of the Managing Board in charge of Retail Banking, stated that the award was proof of fostering a long-term partnership with clients, which was also based on trust and offering high-quality services.
“Another award issued to our bank by ‘Global Finance’ magazine in the private banking segment proves that top-quality global results are reached by nurturing an individual approach, outstanding professionalism and discretion”, Jelena Aksić pointed out.
The award of “Global Finance” magazine speaks of how vital client satisfaction, the clients’ direct link to specialists in Raiffeisen banka, as well as the constant development of digital services are for a comprehensive strategic partnership, Jelena Aksić stressed.
Joseph Giarraputo, founder and editor of “Global Finance” magazine, asserted that private banking was an art form, but also a science, where the knowledge of economic and financial trends was interlinked with a deep understanding of clients’ needs, as stated in the magazine’s press release.
“The award goes to those institutions that deliver both one and the other”, Giarraputo stressed.
As stated in the press release of “Global Finance” magazine, the winners are not always the largest institutions, but the best ones, those whose qualities are highly valued by their clients when choosing their bank.
This is the third title awarded to Raiffeisen in the segment of private banking. The private banking segment of Raiffeisen banka won the double title “Best Bank in the Private Banking Segment in Serbia” in 2021 (“EMEA Finance” and “Global Finance”).
Raiffeisen banka introduced the private banking service in mid-2020, with the idea to offer clients exclusive banking service in accordance with the most contemporary standards.
Raiffeisen Banka Is Awarded Three International Titles in the Digital Banking Segment
The renowned global financial magazine “Global Finance“ awarded Raiffeisen banka with the title “The Best Digital Consumer Bank in Serbia“ for 2023. This is the fourth time the bank was awarded as the best for its digitalization segment in Serbia.
This year, the bank has also been awarded two titles in the sub-categories of this contest for the first time: “The Best Consumer User Experience (UX) Design in Serbia“, as well as “The Best Consumer Mobile Banking App in Serbia“.
“We have been awarded the title “Best Digital Consumer Bank in Serbia“ for the fourth time since 2018, which is proof that we started the important process of services digitalization timely, but also that we have done it successfully, by applying the most contemporary global standards“, Zoran Petrović, Raiffeisen banka CEO, stated on this occasion. “We are especially proud of the two additional acknowledgements – ‘The Best Consumer User Experience (UX) Design in Serbia’ as well as ‘The Best Consumer Mobile Banking App in Serbia’. These are the segments where we are investing the most resources and expertise, so these awards are an additional boost for us to continue improving and innovating. The number of clients using digital services is rising constantly and so are their demands. By providing the best user experience, we are confirming that we are monitoring their needs and responding to them in the best manner possible. I am glad this was recognized by leading experts in the field and that it was also confirmed by user satisfaction research, showing that the digital services of Raiffeisen banka are the most innovative in the Serbian market“, he stressed.
The jury of experts, consisting of the leading professionals from company “Infosys“, a global leader in the domain of consulting and technologies, as well as editors of “Global Finance“ magazine, when deciding on the best banks, inspected the following basic criteria: quality of the strategy for attracting digital users and offering services to them, success in educating clients to use the digital offer, growth in the number of clients using digital services, the quality and volume of the offer of digital products and services, measurable benefits acquired through digital initiatives, as well as the design and function of the web site and mobile applications. Concerning the choice of the winning bank in the sub-categories, the jury of experts took into account the quality and success of the particular digital products and services for which the awards were given.
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Raiffeisen banka a.d. Beograd is a member of Raiffeisen Bank International, one of the leading banking groups in Central and Eastern Europe. It began its business activities in Serbia in 2001, and is now developing its activities in three segments: retail banking, corporate banking, as well as treasury and investment banking. For additional information, please contact the Marketing & Communications Department of Raiffeisen banka at the phone No. 011/2207-306 or via the e-mail: marketing@raiffeisenbank.rs.
Raiffeisen Banka Offers a Novelty for Corporates
ONLINE FACTORING FOR LEGAL ENTITIES
Raiffeisen banka introduced an innovative service to the local banking market for the corporate segment – an online factoring platform, Raiffeisen Online Factoring, which has recently become available to clients of Raiffeisen banka, as well as to those who will become new clients in the future.
The service of factoring is a useful instrument for managing cash flow, improving liquidity and the collection of receivables. The bank has been offering this product for a great number of years already and now it has gone a step further by creating an online platform where the client can perform all factoring business in a fast and efficient manner. The option of performing such complex banking activities is especially useful in times of the current pandemic, when it is imperative that company owners and their employees can perform all business activities in as safe an environment as possible. The online platform was created in accordance with the needs of the Serbian market and is completely adjusted to the requirements of the corporate segment in Serbia.
Apart from the collection of receivables, online factoring enables corporates also the following: the option of fast and easy financing modality without increasing indebtedness, monitoring collection, administration of invoices bought, reduction of administrative expenses, issuing without collateral, better competitive positioning, as well as a range of additional benefits that are available immediately after a factoring contract has been concluded.
The whole factoring process is completed on the platform itself, with online communication with the bank and suppliers/buyers, with full overview of approved and available limits, financing requests, invoices sent for payment and their status, available calculations and reports, etc.
By introducing the online factoring platform Raiffeisen Online Factoring, Raiffeisen banka continues the trend of digitalizing its services while implementing the most state-of-the-art technology solutions in banking. The innovative feature of the platform was accentuated by the fact that the bank was among the first in the Raiffeisen Group to offer this service to its corporate clients. The solution was developed in cooperation with the local fintech startup “Between“ (www.between.rs), a winner in the local “Elevator Lab“ project of the Raiffeisen Group in 2018. This successful cooperation and innovation for the corporate segment is a confirmation of the importance of the banking sector’s synergy with fintech startups.
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Raiffeisen banka a.d. Beograd is a member of Raiffeisen Bank International, one of the leading banking groups in Central and Eastern Europe. It began its business activities in 2001, and is developing its focus in three segments: retail banking, corporate banking, treasury and investment banking. Please contact the Marketing & PR Department of Raiffeisen banka for additional information at the phone No. 011/2207-306.