September 10, 2014 –Telenor banka, in which EUR 40 million is being invested, was opened today and is the first mobile online bank in the region. Already today all citizens of Serbia can open accounts and manage their finances online, with an application on mobile phone, tablet or PC.
Dušan Vujović, Finance Minister, Jon Fredrik Baksaas, President and CEO of Telenor Group, Ove Fredheim, CEO of Telenor Serbia and Martin Navratil, Chairman of Telenor banka Executive Committee opened the bank.
“Telenor banka is the first financial institution fully owned by Telenor Group. Serbia is a country with the high connectivity rate, yet a relatively low penetration within online banking. With that in mind and with the experience in securing safe and reliable mobile data services, we have linked mobile communications with online banking services, creating the first fully mobile bank in the region. We do not see the Telenor banka opening as a mere business opportunity, but also as an initiative that will change how people in Serbia do banking”, says Ove Fredheim, CEO of Telenor Serbia.
Telenor banka is oriented to daily transactions of citizens. At this moment it is possible to open a multi-currency current account with contactless debit MasterCard card, exchange currency at favourable exchange rates, transfer money abroad or make any other payments. In September and October every customer will have welcoming five percent annual interest rate on dinar current account.
Ove Fredheim and Martin Navratil, Chairman of Telenor banka Executive Committee, made the first online bill payment via mobile application and demonstrated its functionalities
.
“Telenor banka enables the citizens to have full control over their personal finances and safely manage their money on the go, without waiting in ques. The history of account changes can be followed interactively and all payments can be made with one click with mobile or online application”, says Martin Navratil.
Telenor banka will utilize the network of Telenor shops, where customers will need to come only once to sign the contract. Telenor banka will also have a network of the latest ATMs, where customers can both deposit and withdraw money.
Telenor banka, with its headquarters in Airport City, currently has 130 employees. Telenor Group will continue to enable financial services in the countries where it operates and take an active role in global digital development.
Telenor Banka is part of the Telenor Group, one of the largest world mobile operators with more than 192 million customers on 13 markets.
In 2013, Telenor acquired 100% of the shares of KBC Bank, with the aim to offer to Serbian citizens through Telenor Banka modern and innovative mobile and Internet financial services.
Telenor is the largest single investor in Serbia with an initial investment of 1.53 million euros. The first mobile and online bank in the country is oriented towards daily citizens’ transactions, offering them daily banking on the move. Telenor Banka is the 2014 laureate of the American Chamber of Commerce’s Leaders in Change Award.
Media inquiries:
Jelena Srećković, PR and CR Expert, 063 430 192, jelena.sreckovic@telenor.rs