Crisis - is not only the complexity of the global financial system, but the time to gain new positions

In late May, OTP Bank has successfully completed the implementation of the new ABS are all-XL, which replaced the ABS "New Athens". The main goal of this ambitious project was to improve the integration of information technology and provide a basis for further development of the retail business of OTP Bank. When management of OTP Bank has decided to implement a new automation system, and why it became necessary to implement the new system? A prerequisite for such a decision was intensive development of retail business in 2008 as part of a strategy of "three R": retail, regions, re-branding. The strategy was successfully implemented the project of rebranding, derived on the market several innovative products, and open the bank's 40 offices (including 11 credit - cash) in the Moscow region and other regions of Russia. We have greatly expanded the number of partners for the sale of consumer loans and car loans. In particular, contracts with such major retailers as "Domo", "White Wind. DIGITAL", "Rolf", "Autocom", "Musa Motors" and others. Given this rate of growth of the business, already in early 2008, we were aware of the need to improve our IT industry. In particular, in 2008 we moved from a resource Siebel 6, which handled all of our POS-loans to a newer version - Siebel 8. There was a question about changing the automated banking system for retail business. Our old ABS (New Athens) was beginning to hinder the development of business. And thanks to the introduction of a new ABS are all-XL was provided by 4-times the performance headroom, allowing us to serve 10 million customers. The introduction of new automated systems require companies to significant financial and labor costs. On what effect the introduction of ABS, and how quickly calculates the OTP Bank? The effect of the introduction of ABS Ba Wank XL is now. Significantly increased speed of launching new banking products. The example of our latest products, we see that now this process takes no more than 2 days. Already reduced the load on the contact center and the opportunity to use it mostly for distance sales. Thanks to the new ABS reduced the closing time operating periods. Now, closing the month (and it is about 2.5 million documents) takes no more than 6 hours. Has the economic crisis in the process of implementing the new system? Crisis - is not only the complexity of the global financial system, but the time to gain new positions. It is no secret that many players have rolled up their retail program, but customers need in resolving the financial problems remain. First and foremost, it concerns such retail products as credit cards, consumer loans and deposits. Therefore, we believe that this time should be used to improve the technology, thus pave the way to the high selling season, which traditionally occurs in the banking area in the fall. What are the benefits of implementing the system will be most noticeable to your customers? The new system allows to improve the quality of service and quickly run nvoye products and services - this change is perhaps the most znakchimo for our customers. In particular, thanks to a new ABS in the future, our retail customers will be able to access the Internet - banking, which will allow them in online mode to manage their accounts. Another planned innovation - the grace period on credit cards and the possibility of instantaneous transfer of money from the payment terminals at the customer's account. Some banks are reducing their retail projects, particularly in lending, closing satellite offices and branch offices. What are your plans for the development of retail business at your bank? Indeed, current economic conditions led many market players to revise their growth plans. At the same time, I note that in the present circumstances is a kind of rehabilitation of the banking sector. Closed primarily ineffective points are no longer effective products uncompetitive conditions. The strategy of OTP Bank in 2009 - is the efficiency and quality. Last year we concentrated on the dramatic development in terms of launching new products, opening new offices. In 2009, we have actually completed the construction of our network in key regions and fully updated product line. So for us it is now important not only to develop, but also planned to improve the quality of our work: to improve the quality of customer service, introduce modern technologies, work on the quality of its loan portfolio. How do you assess the current situation in the retail banking market in Russia? How optimistic or pessimistic you look at the future of this segment? Reveals whether the current situation in the retail banking market opportunities for its participants? I am very optimistic about the outlook for the banking sector. Despite all the difficulties, the banks have not lost their confidence. This is indicated by the figures: in particular, a significant amount of deposits in bank accounts - are deposits placed for a year. Outcome of OTP Bank in the early months of 2009 also indicate that the market is gradually revived. In particular, the portfolio of retail deposits of OTP Bank rose first year by 17% and amounted to 23 billion rubles. A profit of OTP Bank in the first months of work in 2009 was 160 million rubles. We continue to actively develop the key areas of our retail business: credit cards, and pos-lending. The issue volume in 2009 amounted to more than 250 thousand cards, about the same pace and passed emissions in 2008. With regard to pos-lending, we are actively working with our partners, expanding the geographical presence of the product of OTP Bank. If last year we basically have contracts with regional retailers, in 2009 the scale of the development direction has allowed us to conclude an agreement with leading federal networks. That allows or allow commercial banks in the current difficult conditions to successfully compete with major players - the "state banks" in the retail market? I would not have opposed the state commercial banks. State has made people to choose the best offer, not fearing for their savings. I say, first and foremost on the Deposit Insurance Agency. When making decisions about how to start a bank co-operation, the customer evaluates and many other factors: rates and other conditions, convenience of location of offices, the availability of additional services. I believe that the only condition for successful competition in the market - not having a bank of state or other support, and competitive quality offer. Which factors were decisive for the management of OTP Bank in choosing ABS Wah Bank and FORS - Banking Systems? We could go one of two ways: either to develop IT-solution "Ying House, or choose a commercial ABS. Since the development of an individual system would have taken much more time, we settled on the version proposed by FORS - Banking Systems - ABS "all-in XL. Not the last role was played by the presence of the company portfolio of successful projects in banks with foreign participation. Besides retail and corporate business OTP Bank are now on similar platforms (all-in XL and all-in +), so in the future can be integrated and a unified back-office, which will further enhance the overall effectiveness of our technology.