OREANDA-NEWS. May 02, 2008. The success of the performance of the Bank during Q1 2008 was undoubtedly attained by virtue of the Bank’s determination to become financial advisors and partner to its customers by offering integrated services suited for all stages of life-cycle designed to specifically save not only time but also funds, reported the press-centre of Hansabankas.

The ZOOM Youth Programme that was launched at the end of 2007 and is currently gaining increasing popularity has brought about just another proof that integrated service proposals are vital in ensuring customer satisfaction.

"The financial and performance indicators of the first quarter of the year fully met our expectations. The results are a perfect proof that customers trust in and value our organisation. With due regard to the customer confidence in the services we offer we have been on an on-going basis looking for solutions able to ensure the quality, accessibility and availability of our services. During Q1, 2008 "Hansabankas" has placed a special focus upon the development of the self-service tools.

Having considered the difficulties related to the funding of the university education last February we offered a student loan as a new service under the ZOOM programme. Also in response to the concerns of the customers regarding the recent turbulent developments in the finance markets, continuing the initiatives of 2007, we have highly prioritised customer education initiatives on saving and investment issues" – this is how Giedrius Dusevicius, Chairman of the Board introduced the priority activity areas of 2007.

Changes in the economic cycle in Q1 2008: signals and challenges

"In view of the changes in economic cycle specifically important become the well-founded and sound behaviour of all market participants. The current heated on-going discussions on the role of banks is only natural. Having prudently measured the anticipated lending growth rates and levels this year "Hansabankas" will continue to pursue its prudent and responsible lending policy. We have also duly considered the trends in the global financial markets that undoubtedly affect the supply of the financial resources in our markets and their price. On the other hand, the macroeconomic performance indicators of Lithuania serve just as another reminder that all institutions, as well as residents must operate in a most responsible manner and seek harmonious and sustainable development. Therefore, in cooperation with the LLRI we have developed an anti-inflation action plan. On the other hand, we still recall that inflation is a consequence not a cause, therefore today we strongly recommend to focus on the performance efficiently and the investment facilitating it", – says G. Dusevicius.

Electronic channels – increased possibilities for customers

At the end of Q1, the internet bank "hanza.net" had 912,000 users, and the volumes of electronically effected transactions during Q1 2008 reached LTL 10.4 m, which accounted for 80 percent of total operations executed at the end of the quarter.

With a view to enhancing the efficiency of the customer servicing the functionalities of the internet banking had been continuously expanded which included a number of service offers to the customers. In Q1, 2008, for the first time ever the bank offered an e-deposit with even more attractive interest rates. The deposit agreements thus can be concluded via "hanza.net" without the customer’s without even arriving to the bank. Furthermore, during Q 1 2008, "Hansabankas" offered to its customers an opportunity to open a securities account by internet. The service offers channels to purchase and sell shares, fund units and other investment products – this will undoubtedly facilitate investment-related operations by the customers.

The development of the self-service channels offered to the customers of "Hansabankas" more convenient and easier accessible tools to manage their personal finance. During the first three months of the year, 44 new self-service terminals were installed in "Hansabankas" branch offices which makes the self-service available in nearly 83 percent of all branches of "Hansabankas".

A one-millionth "Visa" payment card issued by "Hansabankas" at some point in Q1 shows that today payment and credit cards have become one of the most frequently used tools for daily personal finance management highly appreciated by the customers, next to other reasons, for easy borrowing facilities and a convenience ensured to the customers while abroad.

Student loans – new possibilities to students

During Q1, 2008, while further developing the ZOOM Youth Program, "Hansabankas" offered a new service targeting students – a loan for cost-of-living expenses during studies. The loan has been designed to help students focus upon their studies, since the loan is due to be repaid only upon the graduation from the studies. Eligible to obtain such loan are young persons over 18, being participants of the ZOOM program, students of Lithuanian higher education institutions.

At the end of the last year the number of the ZOOM Youth Program participants was over 30,000 which by far surpassed the expectations of the Bank. This integrated program targeting and intended for school children and students aged 14-23 offers a range of youth-designed banking services, promotes creativity and develops the finance management and investment skills.

Saving and investment – a constant attention to customer education

During Q1 2008", "Hansabankas" has continued to devote continuous and focused efforts towards education of customers on saving and investment issues. Since the very launch of the year, every business day morning users of "hanza.net" can read the finance markets overviews prepared by competent specialists of the Bank and based on such sources as foreign financial institutions, press and news agencies. While proceeding with the cycle of meetings with our customers under the "Investment Days" initiative in the first quarter of the year we hosted events in Klaipeda and Kaunas. The participants of our lecture presentations were offered a convenient possibility to directly address the bank specialists regarding the most relevant investment issues.
Market highlights

At the end of Q1 2008 "Hansabankas" had 1,25 m private and corporate customers.

At the end of Q1 2008 "Hansabankas" managed the largest share of the 2nd pillar pension market – 43,3 % in terms of participant number.

At the end of Q1 2008, "Hansabankas" was leading among other banks in terms of the amount of term deposits that accounted for LTL 4,95 bn.

"Hansabankas" belongs to "Swedbank" – the largest group of financial services in the Baltic States and the Nordic region. The Group enjoys more than 9,1 m of retail and nearly 483,000 business customers in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia and Sweden. The Group operates 465 branches in Sweden and 300 branches in the Baltic States. The staff of "Swedbank" counts over 21,000 employees of which in excess of 3,000 work in Lithuania. In Lithuania "Hansabank" Group includes "Hansa lizingas", "Hansa gyvybes draudimas", "Hansa investiciju valdymas", "Baltijos autolizingas" and "Hansa valda".