OREANDA-NEWS  On 16 September was announced, that in 1H of 2008 improvement of productivity, innovations and development of customer service served as a framework for a solid and continued growth of Hansabanka as the Bank further cemented its leadership in the banking industry of Latvia. The Bank continued its efforts of prudent lending, increased its customer base and increased its volumes of attracted savings and investments. Various daily banking services were developed and new and innovative solutions were introduced as the Bank continued to tailor modern banking habits in co-operation with customers. In 1H 2008, Hansabanka was recognized as the reputation leader in Latvia already for the fourth consecutive year.

“Customer service of high quality and a tailor-made approach, enhancement of innovation and productivity are the three key factors which support long-term growth of Hansabanka,” says Mr. Maris Avotins, Chairman of the Board of Hansabanka. “The same factors are important for overall economic development to ensure sustainable growth of welfare. We must think and take actions without expecting rapid and immediate benefits, instead we have to look in the long run of at least 15-20 years and seriously think about development of our exports and labour productivity in the country at large”.

In 1H 2008, assets of Group of Hansabanka increased by LVL 251m compared to early 2008 and reached LVL 5 312m. After-tax profit of Group of Hansabanka accounted for LVL 47.8m in the first six months of the year (profit of Hansabanka was LVL 56.5m accordingly) and the customer base accounted for 923 100. The operational results of Hansabanka during the first half of the year also reflect the efforts made in creation of modern banking habits: increasingly more customers use savings products, effect payments by their payment cards and use online banking and other types of electronic settlements.

Modern banking habits are being developed

Thanks to the focus made on implementation of one of the priorities during first six months of the year Hansabanka managed to increase the volume of investments and savings: total volume of deposits with Hansabanka reached LVL 1 746.9m, thus experiencing a growth of LVL 42.7m.

As the efforts to create and foster the habit of making of savings were continued, the number of customers of the 2nd pillar pensions of Hansa Pensions topped 396 900 during 1H 2008. In the meantime 33 100 customers make well-considered savings for their future by choosing the 3rd pillar pension schemes managed by Hansa Open-End Pension Fund.

The volume of deposits placed over the online banking facility continued to grow and during the first six months of the year already 40.8 % of deposits were placed with the help of online banking service. In general, during 1H 2008 Hansabanka strengthened its strong leadership in the field of electronic settlements, by demonstrating its commitment for innovations and customer service and by actively working on implementation of new solutions and by promoting electronic settlements. In early July customers were acquainted with the new version of online banking that is more user-friendly, tailor-made and more appropriate for needs of customers.

During the first six months of the year already 96.36 % of all settlements effected at Hansabanka were performed electronically. If all customers would make transactions only at the branches of the bank, Hansabanka would need 1 953 branches instead of current number of 71! Since beginning of the year the number of online banking users of Hansabanka has grown by 93 400 and now reaches 749 200, and the number of users of Mobile Bank topped 620 200, thus demonstrating an increase of 53 800. This confirms that people increasingly more often want to make their daily banking payments more efficient and save their time by using secure and accurate modern financial tools.