All articles by Meghna Mukerjee
Meghna Mukerjee
Hypo Bank’s Banja Luka unit implements Temenos T24 platform
Austrian lender Hypo Alpe-Adria Banks unit in Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, has completed the implementation of the Temenos T24 core banking system across 49 branches. This latest deployment of the T24 platform by Hypo Alpe-Adria is the third of its four-part rollout plan for the lenders markets in the former Yugoslavia region, starting with Montenegro in November 2009, followed by Mostar in Bosnia in May 2011. The next implementation in the region is scheduled to be completed in April 2013. The latest live deployment of T24 in Banja Luka marks the implementation of the Temenos platform across three markets in the former Yugoslavia region by Hypo Alpe-Adria in 1,000 days.
Piraeus Ukraine launches short-term, high-interest deposit scheme
Ukraine-based unit of Greeces Piraeus Bank has launched a new scheme, Deposit Sky High, to enable customers to deposit funds for a period of four months with a high interest rate of up to 22% and the option of early withdrawal without loss of interest. The minimum sum of the deposit is UAH3,000. The new Deposit Sky High scheme offers customers monthly interest payments starting from 14% per annum for the first month to 22% for the fourth month. Deposit Sky High also enables customers to withdraw funds early without losing the interest earned. In case of early withdrawal of funds, the customer will, reportedly, retain the interest earned for the full month, and the interest for the last unfinished month will be counted under a lowered interest rate of 10% per annum.
First Citizens Bank deploys FIS Default Manager solution
Trinidad and Tobagos First Citizens Bank has implemented a Default Manager solution, by banking and payments technology vendor FIS, across its entire retail branch network with the aim of enhancing the banks collections processes and results. First Citizens Bank the largest unit of First Citizens Group plans to integrate the Default Manager tool with its existing FIS Profile core banking system, with the aim of automating all facets of the lenders collections processes including mortgage, credit cards and automotive. The use of Default Manager, reportedly, eliminates manual intervention, and improves the banks existing default workflows, while also providing collectors and management with real-time performance metrics to monitor performance.
Synovus Bank launches new prepaid card
Synovus Bank has launched its prepaid Synovus Connections Card, at all Synovus Bank divisions across the US, as a payment alternative to traditional current accounts. The new Synovus Connections Card does not require any current account or credit cheque, according to the lender. The card can be reloaded with no fee at any Synovus Bank division branch with cash and through direct deposit. Dallis Copeland Jr, chief banking officer at Synovus Bank, said the lender was pleased to provide customers with the new payment option that can be used for a variety of purposes.
Erste launches investor relations app
Austria-based Erste Group has launched an investor relations application for the iPhone and iPad platforms with the aim of ensuring a nonstop flow of information such as latest news, financial reports, and presentations to its investor and analyst base. The new investor relations app is a free service and enables users to access real-time share price information on Erste from the Vienna Stock Exchange. The iPad version of the app also offers access to live streaming and downloads of Erstes analyst and press conferences on financial results and users have the option to add important upcoming Erste events to their Microsoft Outlook calendars via the app.
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ASB staying ahead in the digital innovation curve
Staying ahead of the innovation curve in the digital channels space, Auckland Savings Bank was the first to launch a virtual Facebook branch in 2010. Now ASB has upgraded its offering and launched a payments-facility enabling customers to send money to their Facebook friends. General manager brand experience and digital channels at ASB, Anna Curzon, talks to Meghna Mukerjee. While mobile wallets are still an emerging technology across the world, New Zealand-based Auckland Savings Bank (ASB) started offering mobile wallets to its customers back in 2006. Staying ahead of the innovation curve in the digital channels space, ASB started operating a virtual branch on Facebook in December 2010. In July, ASB further upgraded its Facebook offering and launched a payments-facility via which customers can send money to any of their Facebook friends in real time.
Mekong Development Bank launches biometric debit card
Mekong Development Bank (MDB) and banking software vendor Temenos have launched Vietnams first biometric, fingerprint-enabled debit card. MDB has implemented Temenos T24 Biometric fingerprint authentication a first in Vietnam with the aim of providing the unbanked population of Vietnam with access to banking services. Only 20% of Vietnams populations of 86m people has a bank account. The lender has already implemented Temenos T24 core banking systems. Customer fingerprints will be captured by MDB at the point of opening an account and used at any one of 33 NCR SelfServ ATMs across Vietnam. Plans are in place to extend this service to other touch points over the next few months.
BBVA launches Madrid branch with advanced multimedia signage system
Spains second-largest bank by assets, BBVA, has launched a new flagship branch in central Madrid with an advanced multimedia signage system, created by retail marketing agency John Ryan. The new BBVA signage system features a 63-foot exterior LED the largest of its kind in Spain and plays a mix of headline news, weather and bank promotions with regularly updated content with the aim of attracting passerbys to enter the store and sample the features available. John Ryans Messaging Manager digital signage platform has powered the LED, kiosks and media walls at BBVA and it also drives digital displays at several other BBVA retail locations across Spain and Portugal.
Tesco Bank to offer mortgages and related Clubcard reward points
Tesco Bank will offer mortgages and enable customers to earn loyalty points on repayments through the Tesco Clubcard. Customers who have the UK supermarket giants loyalty card will be rewarded with points as they repay their Tesco each month, collecting one point for every £4. According to Benny Higgins, chief executive of Tesco Bank, entering the mortgage market is a significant step in broadening the products that the UK retail giant offers its customers. Tesco Bank is offering home loans to customers with deposits of 20% or more, and a range of fixed rate options and a two-year base rate tracker are on offer. Tesco is also, reportedly, planning to use shopping data to assess customers suitability for the loans.
BMO launches BMO Air Miles bank plan
Bank of Montreal (BMO) has launched the BMO Air Miles bank plan – a new current account that aims to boost the number of reward air miles that can be earned on household spending and everyday banking. The plan allows customers to earn one air miles reward mile for every $30 they spend on the debit card. Vice-president for payment products at BMO, David Heatherly, said with the introduction of the BMO Air Miles bank plan, customers can now significantly enhance the value they are getting from this payment method by accelerating the rate of earning reward miles and ultimately spending smarter.