The importance of the Serbian market in the development strategy of the NLB Group is a guarantee of active support to the bank in Serbia, which we can count on at any given time, both by our parent bank in Slovenia and by all the Group members
It is important for NLB that we have successfully completed the privatization process. In November it was a year since NLB was listed on the Ljubljana and London stock exchanges, and in June this year, Slovenia completed its privatization by selling its 75% share, less one share, in the bank’s capital. The NLB Group ended last year with a profit of EUR 203.6 million, of which NLB Banka Beograd generated EUR 5.2 million. This year, we continued the trend of successful operations and we expect good business results at the end of 2019,” says Branko Greganović, Chairman of the Executive Board of NLB Banka Beograd at the beginning of the interview.
What have you been particularly focused on this year, and what are your expectations and plans for next year?
— We have done a lot of work on improving our products and services, as well as all the processes in the bank. The modern life-style, supported by modern technological solutions, has contributed to the creation of new habits and expectations of clients, who increasingly want to complete all their dealings with the bank in just a few clicks. They want to get everything they need quickly, easily, online, either on computer or via a mobile app. That is why, in the past period, we have invested a lot not only in improving the existing services, but also in creating a foundation for new services that we want to make available to our clients. The new regulations have made it possible for us to do that and without it these solutions would not be possible.
What do you think of the cooperation between businesspeople from Slovenia and Serbia, and what role does NLB plays in all of that?
— One of the strengths of NLB Bank in Serbia is the fact that it operates under the NLB Group, the largest banking group with headquarters in our region and which considers Serbia a strategic market. The importance of the Serbian market in the development strategy of the NLB Group is a guarantee of active support to the bank in Serbia, which we can count on at any given time, both by our parent bank in Slovenia and by all the Group members. As a group based in this region, we have a good understanding of the mindset, business, and needs of people in these areas, making us a true partner for all clients doing business or wanting to do business with companies from other markets in the SEE region, a partner who can help them to prepare for whatever is coming their way.
An important part of the NLB Group’s business strategy is its corporate social responsibility. Which project would you particularly like to highlight?
— For the eighth consecutive time, we organized NLB Organic, a competition for organic producers, which encourages the development of organic production, as we believe it is significant in terms of environmental and human health. Our NLB Gallery, which has already organized 14 exhibitions, is certainly a project worth mentioning because it supports young artists and helps them build their artistic careers. I would like to also highlight a project whereby with each housing loan we have granted in the last quarter, we have allocated 10,000 dinars to support institutions that care for the homeless. I think this is, in many ways, a true example of good CSR action. On the one hand, by complying with all the standards of good business practice, we help our clients to own real estate by providing finances for it, while raising funds to improve the quality of life of people who are homeless for various reasons.