The new bank in the post office: P.S.K. turns into PSK BANK
P.S.K. has now assumed a new role as a separate brand within the context of the new positioning of BAWAG P.S.K. The new addition to the company name, using the word “Bank”, underlines the core competence of PSK Bank in the banking business. As a result, PSK Bank has become “the bank in the post office“, offering a maximum level of comfort and ease of use to private customers. The new strategy and advertising approach of PSK Bank will be presented today in the newly designed post office in Vienna, Fleischmarkt 19.
In order to more effectively fulfill customer demands, the PSK BANK has set new priorities for its future operations, which will be supported by its business strategy, a new logo, newly designed branch offices and innovative products. The clear-cut strategic goal of the new BAWAG PSK in Austria is to concentrate on business with private customers. “As an independent brand, PSK Bank will play an integral role in the three-brand strategy being pursued by BAWAG PSK. The new name and the new corporate design underline the competence of PSK BANK as a financial institution serving private customers”, says Ewald Nowotny, Chairman of BAWAG PSK.
PSK BANK stands for trust, integrity and reliability, providing active customer service and support. The convenient, nationwide network of post offices provides intelligent products and services as the response to growing customer demands. “The aim of PSK BANK is to increase customer frequency and further expand its securities business“, according to Herbert Legradi, Member of the Management Board of BAWAG PSK.
Austrian Post as an important distribution partner
Due to its extensive network of branch offices, Austrian Post represents one of the most important distribution channels for the banking products provided by BAWAG PSK. As a result of the new positioning of PSK BANK, the sale of banking products is being expanded to become a core competency of the post offices. “The distribution of financial products and services comprises 25% of total revenues achieved in our branches, thus contributing to the successful business development of our branch network. In the upcoming years, we are striving for a solid growth path of 7% – 7.5%”, says Herbert Götz, Member of the Management Board of Austrian Post with responsibility for its Branch Network Division.
Enhancement of consulting competence
The level of consulting competence in the post offices will be expanded by mg additional financial consultants available for customer services, as well as by expanding the professional training and continuing education of employees in the banking segment. By the end of 2007, the total number of financial consultants will rise from 150 to 650. In Vienna alone, an additional 50 financial advisors will provide advisory services on financial products. In rural areas, a total of 100 mobile consultants will each be responsible for supporting several smaller-sized post offices simultaneously in providing high quality banking products and services. Moreover, approximately 200 service centres will be established and successively modernised.
The “Soccer Savings Book” – a unique return on investment scheme
A new, innovative product of the PSK BANK, which is available effective immediately in post offices throughout the country, is the “Soccer Savings Book“ – a unique form of savings which optimally combines the advantages of the traditional savings bank book with the opportunities for higher returns arising from securities investments.
Deposits made in the bank book, wih a maturity period of 24 months, are subject to a fixed interest rate of 2 % annually. Furthermore, the customer can profit from the share price development of the 12 top sponsors of the upcoming UEFA European Soccer Championship in 2008. Depending on the average share price performance of companies such as Austrian Post, Adidas, BP, McDonald´s or Coca Cola between December 3, 2007 and July 31, 2009, up to 4% additional interest will be paid annually on the total deposits (“shares basket bonus”).
Furthermore, the soccer savings bank book should be fun to have. For this reason, there will be an additional “soccer bonus” amounting to 1% annually, if at least 80 goals are scored during the matches (excluding penalty shootout goals after overtime). In other words, a customer depositing at least EUR 1,000 and leaving the deposits untouched for the entire maturity period of two years can benefit from an interest rate of up to 7% per year. In fact, there is one more special treat. Every customer concluding the new savings plan in the form of a “Soccer Savings Book” will be given a key chain with Edi Finger’s legendary burst of elation in Cordoba. (More details can be found in the enclosed product information.)
Soccer Savings Book supports disabled sports
The new BAWAG PSK also takes its corporate social responsibility seriously. With the framework of the presentation held today, the Soccer Savings Book with a deposit of EUR 2,000 will be donated to support soccer projects organised by the section for integration and disabled sports of the Wiener Arbeiter Turn- und Sportverein (Vienna Employee Gymnastics and Sports Association). ”Unfortunately, in most cases disabled people still live apart from the rest of society. We are trying to integrate them, and thus give them the same self-worth as all other people”, says Ursula Mortinger, the secretary general of the organisation. Social responsibility also plays an important role in the new BAWAG PSK. A new programme was recently launched to firmly establish the underlying concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at BAWAG PSK. “In the new BAWAG PSK, we also embody CSR through our products. With this Soccer Savings Book, we would like to make a contribution towards supporting a field of sports in which the athletes have made outstanding accomplishments”, concludes BAWAG PSK chairman Nowotny.
Contact:
Thomas Heimhofer
BAWAG PSK
Press spokesman
[email protected]
Tel.: 0043 (1) 534 53 – 31210
Michael Homola
Austrian Post
Press spokesman
[email protected]
Tel.: 0043 (0) 577 67 – 32010
