OREANDA-NEWS. December 14, 2010. Interview of ArmInfo correspondent with the director of retail business, Executive Board member of “Unibank” Mesrop Hakobyan, reported the press-centre of Unibank.

Unibank occupies a leading position in the banking system of RA by the number of emitted international cards. Which are the activities of the Bank to strengthen its position?

Today Unibank makes active investments in technical equipment, particularly, it is preparing to launch own processing center via which multi-currency cards will be emitted to provide junction of several accounts in different currencies to the main card. The volume of investments in creating own processing center has exceeded 1 million USD.

We envisage participation in a number of big projects of the card business, including the pension fund project via pension cards. Presently activities are being made for creating such cards which will have special design and tariffs. Furthermore, we have planned to procure mobile POS-terminals with GPRS function as well as special insurance policies – special loyalty project for pensioners.

What is the today’s demand for card products in practice of low level of non-cash operations in Armenia?

Today banks in the card business focus at ensuring conveniences for customers when dealing with plastic cards. In practice of low level of non-cash operations in Armenia customers’ interest in card products is conditioned mainly with possibility of line of credit (overdraft) at no commission of withdrawal and discount system.

How many active plastic cards, ATMs and POS-terminals has Unibank by 1 October 2010 and what is the growth for January-September 2010?

As it is known card business development is one of the strategic directions of Unibank’s activity for 2010. By October 1, 2010 the number of the cards emitted by Unibank was over 61.000, of which Visa – about 50.000, Arca – about 12.000, we are planning to increase the number of emitted cards up to 100.000 till the end of the year. Today Unibank has 73 ATMs most of which are located in the capital as well as 655 POS-terminals the number of which is to reach 1500 by the end of the year. By 1 October 2010 the volume of transactions with cards and ATMs of Unibank increased twice in a yearly segment.

What can you say about the annual dynamics of credit cards and how much may this portfolio increase by the end of 2010?

The annual growth of the credit cards portfolio made 23% that is evidence of a rather active dynamics as compared with 2009. In the fourth quarter we anticipate sequential growth of the credit cards portfolio by 1 milliard drams.

It is known that from 2011 in Armenia law about Auto Liability Compulsory Insurance will be effective. Being active on the auto market does Unibank intend to launch specialized plastic cards?

Yes, undoubtedly, as Unibank is active in the auto market we shall launch specialized plastic cards which will be served in co-operation with “RESO” insurance company. This joint project will be launched in forthcoming months for the customers of Unibank”.