Sparkasse Bank Among the Most Stable Banks in BiH!

Sparkasse Bank BiH has been achieving above-market growth in almost all business segments for the fifth year in a row, and despite the unfavorable business environment in which it operates, through key financial indicators at the end of 2014, it has once again proven its long-term stability and reliability, writes the Patria News Agency.

At the annual press conference regarding the Bank's business results, Sanel Kusturica, Director of Sparkasse Bank dd BiH, emphasized that the bank achieved growth in all key indicators compared to the previous year.

- We achieved deposit growth of 14%, loans by 4%, assets by 7.6%, and capital by 11%. Our consolidated profit, which amounted to 11.2 million KM at the end of the year, is 20% higher compared to the previous year, further strengthening our business. We are particularly pleased with the growth in the number of clients and the high level of satisfaction that our clients express through cooperation with Sparkasse Bank - says Kusturica.

Business entities have recognized Sparkasse Bank BiH as their long-term, stable partner and a strong financial institution ready to provide necessary support to its clients and be a reliable pillar for further business development. The structure of loan disbursements itself demonstrates how active Sparkasse Bank dd BiH is in this area and how much effort it invests in supporting economic development.

- In 2014, total new loan disbursements amounted to 433 million KM, which is 5% higher than the previous year, and within these, more than 70% of disbursements were approved to businesses - explained Nedim Alihodžić, Executive Director, and particularly emphasized the high level of public trust in the Sparkasse brand, which is reflected, among other things, in the continuous growth of retail deposits.

- In the past year, total deposits amounted to 637 million KM, and within these, more than 60% of deposits are from citizens. Total deposits at the Bank level achieved a growth of 14% compared to 2013, while the entire sector in the deposit segment grew by 4.5% - concluded Alihodžić.

While the percentage of non-performing loans in the banking sector is 14 percent, Sparkasse Bank can be very satisfied with 9.57% of non-performing loans, which are also covered by provisions for risky losses by more than 97 percent - highlighted another factor of Sparkasse Bank's stability and reliability, Executive Director Amir Softić.

He added that Sparkasse Bank traditionally places a special emphasis on socially responsible business. "After the May floods, we helped clients by distributing emergency aid packages, renovating flooded homes, participating in the reconstruction of elementary schools and bridges... What makes us particularly happy is that on our path of social responsibility, we remain very dedicated through support for social entrepreneurship, sports, marginalized groups, education, and youth employment."

At the end of the conference, the Director of Sparkasse Bank, Sanel Kusturica, spoke about the Bank's development plans.

- We are focused on further growth of market share, a high level of service quality, and the development of innovations that will further facilitate business for clients and through which we will try to retain the title of the Bank of Highly Satisfied Clients. In this regard, I would particularly like to highlight the unique 'Snap and Pay' service, which will soon be operational on all three operating systems (Windows, Android, and iOS), the Shop & Fun card for 36 installments with a cash withdrawal option, then a new card linked to a multi-currency and savings account, the mBanking application for legal entities, and the introduction of online statements - emphasized Kusturica.