OREANDA-NEWS. December 24, 2012. In 2012 SEB Group was acknowledged as the best banking group in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Sweden. The title of recognition was awarded by the international business and finance magazine The Banker through appreciation of the fulfilled long-term business development strategy of SEB banka. The award to SEB banka in Latvia as well as SEB in Estonia and Sweden have been granted now for two years running.

The president of SEB banka in Latvia, Ainars Ozols said: "To gain acknowledgement as the best bank in the country is not just a series of happy coincidences. It is the result of diligent work and exceptional decision-making. Long lasting business perspective, well-structured decision-making and client focused attitude are factors that positively influenced SEB Group Latvia victory in this contest. Irrespectively of economic cycles, SEB Group Latvia has always reached for excellence in its services when servicing and consulting its clients. Ensuring best upholding and services to their clients, as well as being able to fulfill the ever so rapidly rising standards from the bank monitoring and management perspective, has always been and always will be top priority tasks on our daily agenda."

The best indicator of SEB banka's activity is the reflection of resulting activities undertaken by SEB in 2012 – in these 9 months, the financial assistance awarded to businesses and private borrowers amounts to over 396 million Lats. In order to provide better services to our customers, a range of modified financial solutions has been launched, for instance, improvements in online banking, creation of financial consultation instruments for entrepreneurs, provision of advice to small and medium-sized enterprises through SEB SMART, creation and implementation of payment card loyalty programs, realization of contactless card provision for pupils in municipality of Jelgava, as well as accomplishment of creating Enterprise Service Centers. In order to improve accessibility to the clients, SEB banka has launched new branches, while, in the regions, off-site visits were implemented thus providing citizens with financial consultations as an outreach program focused on improving access to the bank.

The president of SEB banka in Latvia, Ainars Ozols said: "While working in a bank, I have been convinced that the success depends on how effectively we are able to convert our weaknesses into our strengths in order to make our business even stronger. I am extremely proud of my team and its courage to look for new solutions in order to give our clients the very best service we can offer. Our aim is to successfully carry on with the chosen path through implementation of Home Bank's strategy as well as focusing on new electronic channel development. We already have developed several e-channel related solutions. I hope that we will be able to implement them in real life at the start of next year."

Every year, The Banker – part of Financial Times Group enterprises, - nominates best banks in 150 different countries. Awards are awarded based on meticulous surveying. The final say in this belongs to a panel of judges in the Financial Times publishing house.