We have published our Annual Report for 2018, and if you are interested to learn more about what Opportunity Bank Serbia has achieved last year, click HERE.
Here are the report highlights from the opening statement of Opportunity Bank’s CEO, Mr. Vladimir Vukotic.
“In 2018, Opportunity Bank Serbia (OBS) continued walking the path of success while balancing social and business goals. Hand in hand, we have achieved a 14% annual growth of our loan portfolio and received Client Protection Certification from the SMART Campaign for the third time since 2014, as well as Social Rating “A” that has once again confirmed our mission alignment. OBS has closed the year with almost 50,000 loan clients of which 74% live in rural areas of Serbia while our market share growth has also been remarkable: of all registered agricultural households in Serbia who use loans, as much as 40% are loan clients of OBS; the same goes for 20% of Serbian entrepreneurs. The Bank has started measuring its impact in terms of financial inclusion discovering that 44% of clients who received loans from OBS in 2018 had no access to loans before coming to OBS. Finally, OBS financial results have once again put the bank among the three most successful banks in Serbia: RoE of 17.4% is a guarantee of bank’s sustainability and a sign that our ambitious plans for the future are realistic and achievable.
As the only bank in Serbia with the mission of financial inclusion of the underbanked, rural and low-income clients, it is clear that OBS has become a bank of critical importance for the Serbian economy and Serbia in general, which has been recognised by relevant stakeholders on both national and international level. OBS is the only bank in Serbia that has joined Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), independent network of over 50 banks, savings banks and credit unions from all over the world, committed to the joint goal to facilitate sustainable economic and social development with special emphasis on environmental protection. In November 2018, we have had a great privilege to host our first European Chapter meeting of CEOs from the European GABV member-banks such as Triodos, GLS Bank, Banca Etica, Alternative Bank Switzerland, etc. thus demonstrating our dedication to the responsible banking and triple bottom line. And last but not least, end of the year was marked by signing a guarantee agreement with the European Investment Fund (EIF) aimed at supporting micro-enterprises in Serbia under the EU Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI), with the objective to increase access to finance for micro-enterprises whose access to loans was limited or non-existent.
Together with our clients, our 378 co-workers and our shareholders, we are proud of the fact that year after year Opportunity Bank keeps showing how banking can be a force for good, generator of a positive economic and social change, while achieving commendable financial results at the same time. With all this in mind, there is no doubt that 2019 is going to be another successful year for OBS and I want to use this opportunity to thank our partners for their continuous support.
Vladimir Vukotić
CEO and President of Executive Board”
