The total value of financial transactions conducted by legal entities and citizens through Erste Bank’s internet banking from January to the end of August this year amounts to more than 74.48 billion kuna, which is 12.44 percent higher compared to the same period last year.
During this period, nearly 6.9 million total transactions were recorded through internet banking. From January to August this year, more than 74,260 citizens, users of Erste NetBanking, paid various utility or other bills amounting to nearly 1.98 billion kuna, which is 6.12 percent more than at the end of August last year. In the first eight months of this year, more than 18,520 legal entities, users of Erste NetBanking, conducted transactions worth over 72.5 billion kuna, representing a 12.62 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Other distribution channels at Erste Bank also recorded an increase in usage during the eight-month period. Thus, the number of users of the Erste mBanking mobile banking service in the first eight months of 2010 recorded an increase of 11.56 percent compared to the same period last year, with more than 13,960 now registered. A 12.94 percent increase compared to the eight-month period last year was also recorded for the Erste Fon telephone banking service, which as of August 31, 2010, has over 19,480 users.
The total number of individuals using the Erste SMS service as of August 31, 2010, was around 102,650, which is about 5 percent more compared to August 31, 2009. Citizens conducted about 92 percent of cashless transactions through direct distribution channels (NetBanking, mBanking, FonBanking, Kiosk, and contractual standing orders). Approximately 60 percent of the total traffic through direct channels is achieved using internet banking. Legal entities conducted over 72 percent of cashless transactions through direct distribution channels (NetBanking, E-box, and MultiCash), and over 66 percent of total traffic through direct channels is achieved using internet banking. In the first eight months of this year, 8.8 million transactions were conducted at 522 Erste Bank ATMs, with nearly 1.1 billion kuna dispensed, representing an increase of over 7 percent compared to the same period last year. – Although the crisis is still pervasive, we are recording a significant increase across all direct channels and in the number of users, as well as in the number and volume of transactions. However, this is not contradictory, but rather logical, as using NetBanking, SMS services, ErsteFon services, and withdrawing cash at ATMs is cheaper, more practical, and faster for our clients than having to do the same at a branch. Furthermore, all these services are constantly being developed and shaped according to the demands and needs of our clients, which we will continue to do – emphasized Igor Strejček, Director of the Distribution Channel Management Directorate. (M.N.)
