NLB Banka Belgrade is part of the NLB Group, which operates on 12 markets with its 45 members. It represents a stable partner that enables the use of numerous financial products and services for every type of business, supports clients in different circumstances and fosters partnership relations with them
Technology is advancing and changing faster than ever before, and it is necessary to constantly improve the solutions that are offered to clients, enabling them to use all products and services in the simplest way, in the shortest possible time, and that is worked on every day at NLB Banka.
The NLB Group generated profits of 203.6 million euros in 2018, while NLB Banka Belgrade made 5.2 million euros, which was 40% more than in 2017. Do you expect such good results again this year?
– Last year was “historic” for all of us at NLB Group, due to the successful privatisation process, which was of the greatest possible importance to all of us. The new ownership structure enables us to continue operating in accordance with our plans and our ambition to become the most important regional bank in the countries where we operate.
This is more important to us than financial indicators, although they were also really good. This year also started well for the NLB Group, which realised post-tax profits of 57.9 million euros in the first three months.
Last year saw you invest almost 300 million euros, increase the level of issued credit by 35 per cent and deposits by 36 per cent compared to the previous year. Is this an indicator that you have the trust of clients?
– The trust of clients is our most important imperative. Of course, we want to achieve good business results, but the way we achieve them is also extremely important to us. We want to be a true partner to our clients, someone who can provide them with adequate solutions to all their financial needs at any moment. We believe that good business results are only the consequence of such an approach.
We have the knowhow and the will, and our goal is to be the first door that clients will knock on when they need advice in realising personal and business plans
Do you manage to adapt to most of your clients’ needs and to improve their user experience?
– That adaptation is a journey that never ends. On the same day last year we launched our new e-banking and m-banking platforms, as well as instant payments, and in this way we enabled our clients to more easily use the new generation banking services, to realise transactions without any time and geographical constraints and, finally, all of that with a new design, so that every contact they have with the bank will be as pleasant an experience as possible.
“NLB Organic” is a project of which you are extremely proud. What made you decide to support organic production?
– NLB Banka gives a special place in its operations to agriculture. Our concept is NLB IN THE FIELD – we don’t wait for clients in our offices, rather our advisors go to farms, analyse needs and opportunities together with clients, then advise them on the best solutions for their business. I would highlight the fact that in the market of credits with subsidies from the Ministry of Agriculture, we were the bank with the largest number of approved loans last year. Our focus on agriculture is also reflected in our socially responsible operations, and we launched the ‘NLB Organik’ funding contest as far back as 2012.
We reward organic producers and promote organic production, its importance to the preservation of soil, human health and potential, particularly in underdeveloped areas that have excellent conditions and lack other opportunities for growth and development. We are proud that nearly 400 projects have participated in our contest since its launch.