Page 3 - mega 07-08 2021

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MEGA INTERVIEW

With the merger of Ohridska Banka, Sparkasse Bank Makedonija we have an in-
creased lending capacity and thus be able to cover a much greater portion of the
financing requirements of the leading North Macedonian companies. For inter-
national and EU companies and investors active in North Macedonia, Sparkasse
Banka Makedonija will, with its expertise and outreach, be a natural partner for
their business

work of ATMs at approximately 100 lo- Banka, Sparkasse Bank Makedonija
cations around the country. I am very we have an increased lending capac-
proud of these increased figures and ity and thus be able to cover a much
of the people and their achievements greater portion of the financing re-
who are responsible for this success. quirements of the leading North
Macedonian companies. For interna-
What will be the position of Spar- tional and EU companies and inves-
kasse Banka Makedonija on the Mace- tors active in North Macedonia, Spar-
donian banking market now? kasse Banka Makedonija will, with its
expertise and outreach, be a natural
G. Bucher: I am pleased that we partner for their business.
almost tripled our presence in North For retail customers as well as
Macedonia and established ourselves small and medium size enterprises we
as a referential banking group for the intend to continue to develop modern
country. Sparkasse Banka Makedonija and digital banking products and to
entered the group of large banks and fully focus on quality and customer
is now taking the 4th position on the service.
banking market - in the corporate
segment 2nd largest and in retail seg- What kind of support in terms of
ment 3rd position new services should bank’s customers
expect after the integration?
How do you assess the achieve-
ments of Sparkasse Banka Makedonijа G. Bucher: We will work on the
so far? What is the strategic view of expansion of the digitalization. We
Sparkasse Group for Sparkasse Banka aim to bring the Group-wide net-
Makedonijа regarding its future ac- banking platform called “George” to
tivities? North Macedonia in near future. By
being part of Erste Group and Stei-
G. Bucher: The performance of ermärkische Sparkasse, Sparkasse
Sparkasse Banka Makedonija is on a Banka Makedonija will serve also big
satisfactory level. We see growth in international and local corporate cli-
loans and assets in the past years, our ents in all their financial needs.
retail deposits are increasing which is We are already offering FIT Pay-
a good sign of trust in our Sparkasse ments (quick and cost-effectively
brand, and we have lowered our non- cross-border transfers within the Er-
performing loans compared to the ste Group and the Savings Bank Group)
years before. Having in mind the last and free of charge service at all ATMs
years pandemic situation, which had of our Group institutes (7,600 ATMs
for sure effect on the overall economy of our Group institutes at home and
of North Macedonia, we are very sat- abroad; 11 countries – 1 service). We
isfied with the results of Sparkasse will also work on our future branch
Banka Makedonija. service model – our aim is more digi-
With the merger of Ohridska talization also in our branch network.

344 july/August 2021