News

01/19/2010

Last Year, 32 Branches Were Established in New Locations and 69 Ceska Sporitelna ATMs Were Added

In 2009, Ceska Sporitelna added 14 new branches to its branch network, relocated 18 to more suitable premises, and upgraded 45. This year, Ceska Sporitelna is planning to open more than ten new branches, primarily in shopping centres and in new residential neighbourhoods, and it plans to upgrade some 60 points of sale. It is also planning to install ten new so-called transaction terminals at its branches, i.e., self-serve devices for making payment orders and paying bills. In the spring, three HSBC Premiér branches will join the Ceska Sporitelna branch network, continuing to serve exclusively those private HSBC clients who decide to switch to Ceska Sporitelna. Last year’s investment into the Ceska Sporitelna branch network amounted to CZK 1 bn. Ceska Sporitelna currently has 654 branches.

The ATM network also expanded in 2009. A total of 69 new ATMs were added, of which six also take deposits. The Bank replaced a total of 96 older ATMs with new machines. At the end of last year, Ceska Sporitelna further enhanced the security of its ATMs, by installing brand new types of ATMs. This year, Ceska Sporitelna plans to put another 80 new ATMs into operation. Furthermore, up to thirty deposit ATMs should be put into service: this type of ATM has met with positive acclaim among clients over the last two years.

“Good accessibility, fast and professional service, and a comfortable environment - those are the principles we follow in modifying our branch and ATM network. We want our clients to find us easily, and we want our services to be available to them at the times that suit them the best,” said Jiří Škorvaga, Deputy CEO and a Member of the Ceska Sporitelna Board of Directors.

The newly established branches include eight that are open on weekends or have extended opening hours. In total, nineteen such branches are currently available to clients. Also the opening times of other branches have been extended, by 671 as compared to 2008. Another branch innovation introduced last year is the installation of 26 so-called induction loops. These are a special device that allows for better communication between a deaf client and his banking advisor.

Development of the number of ATMs since 2006:

Ceska Sporitelna operates the largest ATM network in the Czech Republic and administers one of the largest branch networks on the market.

For further information please contact the Ceska Sporitelna Financial Group Press Centre:

Press release - PDF vesion [new window]