Bank in MM

Silvio Pedrazzi: You can rely on us

Translated from source language

"Meridian" media, flight log of "Aerosvit" airline

In June 2008, Italian banking group Intesa Sanpaolo Group became the owner of the one of Ukrainian banking system leaders — JSCB "PRAVEX-BANK". Italian banking system is notable for its singular stability — and this can be certified by anyone, who is competent in this field. Though are the Italian receipts good enough for Ukrainian market? Would the Italian example of managing the cashflow help world-weary client to feel more confident and safe? Silvio Pedrazzi the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of JSCB "PRAVEX-BANK" is sure: Italian experience ideally meets the current needs of Ukrainian banking market. JSCB "PRAVEX-BANK", under the color of new Management, will enter the leading positions not only in Ukraine, but also in Europe soon. And, of course, the first one to feel such positive changes is the client, and the benefits of such solid position of the bank will be experienced by world-weary citizen, and entrepreneur, and country is general.    

Mr. Pedrazzi, how long do you work in banking field?

I entered this field in 1978. So, I have been getting the experience for thirty one year already. It seems to me it was just yesterday, though so many changes had happened since then…

Yes, the times, preferences and needs of people change, that is why the banking systems are not standstill. Such changes, absolutely, cannot be called dynamic and sweeping, but, can you tell, how obvious are they for the specialist? 

This is right, banking system develops slowly. According to the Italian market, as I can say from my own experience, for the last thirty years really revolutionary overthrow occurred, that changed the whole system cardinally. The conditions of work, the competitor level, the rules — everything has changed… If we compare the condition, branching and volumes of the modern banking field with that what we had thirty years ago, the changes will seem impressing and, literally, amazing. It is clear, that not all the steps were easy, but, as of today, Italy has one of the most trustworthy, most stable banking systems of the world.

What specialties does the modern banking system of Ukraine have? What is banking system of our country notable for?  

Features, peculiar to the banking system of Ukraine are common for the countries of almost all Eastern Europe. In general, this market can be called as   basic according to its condition of development. In my opinion, at the moment banks are not ready for the large-scale work with industrial field, for huge investment projects.   It is not time for this yet because of the low level of capitalization and as it is necessary to further strengthen the standard of skills and experience in preparing effective investment programs and to enhance the level of system transparency. The time shall pass to overcome such difficulties, but I am sure: the situation in Ukraine will change cardinally, and in all probability much faster than in other countries.  

Is that one of the reasons why Intesa Sanpaolo Group decided to enter the Ukrainian market?

Yes, though, this is just one from the number of the reasons. Ukraine — is one of the biggest countries in Europe, has, in general, stable economy, and is disposed near the countries, where our positions are rather strong. We have subsidiaries in thirteen countries of Central and Eastern Europe and in Mediterranean region that is why it is absolutely natural that we were interested in the opportunity to enter Ukrainian market. This is logical and deliberate step. To enter the new market there are always some definite preconditions. In Ukrainian market the conditions for our appearance arose favorably, even instead of certain problems that the whole world met recently. I am sure: economic difficulties — the process natural and temporary.   

JSCB "PRAVEX-BANK" have done business in Ukrainian market for 16 years already, and recommended itself as a strong institution that is worth the trust of any client. Changes, that happen in the institution of that level, no matter what are they, always cause questions and even worries at the world-weary clients. Could you, please, tell us about the changes, that are going to occur in the work of bank soon? What innovations are planned? Will the client feel these innovations, changes? 

Regarding the changes — the issue is quite complex and complicated. Our priority project is to make the work of the bank more effective, to develop and to extend clients servicing, to speed up the banking processes, to improve the quality of banking products and to keep the management updated. Our clients do not have any grounds for such fears. All changes that are performed have a purpose of servicing level improvement. Changes, that are been performed in the bank — are not the local process, but global, though the market is changing in general. The changes are dictated by the time that is why, I hope, our clients will be satisfied with the innovation that are performed by us. They will be useful for clients. We have a purpose of making better the servicing at all levels in all fields that are covered by our bank. Unfortunately, at the moment, everybody who uses the banking services cannot ignore the feeling of some kind of discomfort — the features of our time. For example, now the provision of customer finance service is reasonably limited. The market segment is almost disappeared or on the edge of disappearance.  This is the general situation. We just have to react to the circumstances that arose in the world, in all spheres of life. Eventually, the limitation of the funds provision for consumer finance shall not be considered as catastrophe: certain time this service was provided with surplus, and now it is necessary to refuse from it partially, because its usage is not reasonable. This is natural service that influences the turnaround of the economy.   No matter how the processes look, they are dictated not by the wishes of special "players" of the market, but also by the general situation. Concerning the JSCB "PRAVEX-BANK" and us, as its owners, we are ready to make everything that depends on us to provide the most qualitative services. 

What perspectives do you see for JSCB "PRAVEX-BANK" under new management?

We will try to make the bank even more reliable and attractive for clients. This is our major task. We have to show ourselves from the best side and even influence the trust increase from the side of Ukrainian citizens to the strong banking  institutions. Our prior task is to prove our ability to work within this market and this reality. We are also aware, that Ukraine, no matter what condition it is in now, no matter how its industry and economy feel, shall soon wake up and support performed by the reliable and effective bank system will be urgently needed, — and we have to be ready for such tug. That is to say, we have to care about this also.

To bring the bank to the leading positions, to make its work more qualified and effective, more acceptable for the consumer — how are you going to plan your work? Do you have an intention to invite Italian specialists?

Yes, we are doing this. And for the experts, who work in JSCB "PRAVEX-BANK" we are ready to perform the training courses, to provide them with any kind of assistance at the moment. Besides, working under the management of the specialists with reputable experience, I am sure, they will obtain the necessary practice soon. Also, the specialists, who work in Ukraine overwhelming majority of time, will be able to share the priceless experience regarding the peculiarities of this special market, its specifications, differences of processes with their own distinctive features.  In any case, such mutual work will be useful to everybody. I do not have any doubts, that employees of new JSCB "PRAVEX-BANK" will be satisfied. We plan to support our employees in every possible way, to provide them with adequate work environment, social security, etc. We understand that one of the sources of bank institution prosperity is reliability and loyalty of its employees. From my point of view, this is one of the most important component of the effective work.

What type of management do you follow?

It is quite complicated for me to talk about that. Regarding this issue I would rely on my co-workers' opinion. I think, I am quite attentive and tolerant dealing with my people, I am always ready to listen to the reasonable, fresh idea. In general, I follow the principle, that manager has to solve the problems by himself, he or she shall be responsible, but in any case never forget about that qualified specialists work with him or her, who can see the situation at another angle and are able to express essential idea. To listen to the advice — is a normal practice. This is the single practice, from my point of view, that can lead to the good result. I believe in team playing, in its success, and I do not see any other method to achieve the set high goal. It does not matter, who "plays" in your team — either these are Italians or Ukrainians… If you can manage them, direct their potential to the needed channel, to share the tasks and duties correctly between them, you will achieve your goal. To my mind, this is quite simple and extremely effective. I hope that by example of JSCB "PRAVEX-BANK" I can prove the correctness of my idea. I hope clients will be satisfied with our work. You can rely on us.