OREANDA-NEWS. UniCredit shared its plans to launch Buddybank, the Group’s new "molecular" bank exclusively for smartphone users.

The startup’s name encapsulates its ethos: to be a "buddy" always at the customer’s side, ready to help and give good advice. Buddybank will offer three traditional financial products – current accounts, credit/debit cards and personal loans – as well as a 24/7 concierge service, accessible via webchat and phone, that can help with everyday tasks such as restaurant reservations, taxi booking and travel planning.

Through its innovative technology, Buddybank will be able to identify its customers in just a few seconds, without the pushing of buttons or security questions.

Subject to regulatory approval, Buddybank will begin operations on January 1, 2017 and will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of UniCredit S.p.A.

UniCredit Bank is one of the largest universal banks in Ukraine, offering a full range of top quality financial services for individuals and corporate clients.

The renovated UniCredit Bank was created in December 2013 through integration of two Ukrainian assets of UniCredit Group, which had been operating in the local market since 1997. The integrated bank combined power, solidity and wide coverage of PJSC "Ukrsotsbank" with the European expertise, quality of service and flexibility of PJSC "UniCredit Bank".

The extensive retail network of UniCredit Bank consists of 243 branches nationwide, its headcount reaching over 5,500 employees, all of them top qualified specialists.

UniCredit is a leading European commercial bank with an international network spanning over 50 markets and 17 countries, with more than 8,400 branches and over 146,000 employees.

Financial indicators of UniCredit Bank as of 01.10.2015:

  • assets — UAH 43.080 billion;
  • credit portfolio — UAH 28.99 billion;
  • funds of corporate clients — UAH 14.56 billion;
  • funds of retail clients — UAH 14.3 billion;
  • capital — UAH 8.22 billion.