The branch network of Banca Comerciala Romana (Romanian Commercial Bank - BCR) will undergo fundamental changes starting this year, with one of the main projects involving a new organisation and a proposed new image for branches and offices, states Martin Skopek, 40, who was appointed BCR vice-president in charge of retail operations late last year.
"We are working with more than 40 projects that are in different stages. In no more than three years, the entire BCR network will be brought into line with what we consider to be the "Erste Group standard", stated Skopek, quoted by the EURO Czech publication.
He says BCR last year opened more than 100 branches, with the number of new offices to be "even higher" in 2007.
"On the basis of the experience we have gained on other markets, we will raise resources to develop the sector of alternative channels - contact centres, Internet banking and others".
He also commented that too little time had passed since BCR's takeover was finalised for any significant changes to have been implemented and for the sales force to be activated in line with Erste's strategy.
The first noticeable move in the retail sector was the 1.2% cut in interest rates of foreign currency-denominated real estate and mortgage loans, a move announced in late January.
In fact, Erste openly prides itself on the expertise it has in the area of mortgage lending. Moreover, Andreas Treichl, the chief executive of the Austrian group and chairman of BCR supervisory board, recommends Martin Skopek as an expert in mortgage finance.
He quotes the example of Ceska Sporitelna, which, during Skopek's stint, raised its share of the mortgage-lending sector from 2% to 30% in five years.
Erste expects mortgage lending to witness a "tremendous" growth in Romania, though it is still outrun by consumer lending.
Andreas Treic
