issue 49—january 2019 · 2019-05-17 · leading ahead, issue 49 -january 2019 5 group marketing...

Leading Ahead, Issue 49 - January 2019

Issue 49—January 2019

Leading Ahead, Issue 49 - January 2019 2

Page Themes

3 Message from the Editorial Team

4 International distinctions for NBG Trade Finance and i-bank services

5 Distinction for i-bank Pay TV campaign at the EFFIE AWARDS 2018

7 The 3rd NBG i-bank #fintech 3.0 crowdhackathon was concluded successfully

9 Opening of the new i-bank store in Xanthi

10 ALMA software

11 “Teambuilding” development program

14 From NBG’s art collection

Contents

Πρώτοι Εμείς - Leading Ahead Newsletter for the employees of the NBG Group

Published, coordinated, edited and designed by the Internal Communication Unit of NBG Group HR

Strategy Division (978)

Address: Aiolou 86, Athens 10559, Greece. T: +30 210-3342230 (internal 12230), +30 210-3342919 (int.

12919). Email: [email protected]

For internal distribution only: No part of this publication may be republished, reproduced or altered,

in any way or by any means, mechanical, electronic or photocopying, without the prior written consent

of the publisher (under Greek Law 2121/1993 and international copyright laws).

You can read this newsletter online:

via the NBG Intranet at: http://mynbg → Εσωτερική Επικοινωνία

or via the Internet:

English edition: www.nbg.gr > Group > The Bank > Leading Ahead

Greek edition: www.nbg.gr > Όμιλος > Η Τράπεζα > Πρώτοι Εμείς

http://www.nbg.gr

http://www.nbg.gr


Message from the Editorial Team

With the new year well under way, and in a drive to strengthen its corporate image, National Bank of

Greece completed its latest promotion campaign, which was built on the theme of the Bank’s

longstanding support for the Greek economy and society at large, sending out an optimistic message for

the country’s future and prospects.

In particular, NBG succeeded in gaining significant awards in the sphere of Trade Finance and servicing

cross-border transactions. In addition, it gained an award for its strategic focus on offering state-of-the-

art products tailored to its customers’ needs, for its new efficiency standards, its top performance in

innovation, development of technology infrastructures, and its commitment to providing best services

to customers.

The Bank has managed to demonstrate, under all circumstances, its ability to effectively respond to the

current needs of the market, thereby earning the trust and confidence of retail and business customers,

and it continues to be a key player in major strategic initiatives that serve to promote the export

orientation of the Greek economy. The cofinancing of the 20-year extension of the Athens International

Airport concession highlights – both at home and internationally – the business customer focus of the

Bank.

Alongside the major infrastructure projects in Greece, and the dozens of hospital units, health clinics

and care foundations and social solidarity projects that it supports, NBG also provides support to micro

businesses, offering micro finance via the EaSI guarantee program of the European Union.

We wish everybody a fulfilling and creative 2019 in both our professional and private lives, where

personal goals and hopes will be achieved!

Internal Communication

NBG Group Human Resources Strategy Division


Group Marketing & Communications Division

Innovation in provision of services

NBG won the “Best Commercial Bank of the Year

Greece”, and “Best Innovation in Retail Banking

Greece” prizes at the annual awards organized by

the International Banker magazine.

Each year, International Banker awards prizes are

granted to banking corporations that set new

performance standards and broaden the growth

potential of the banking sector.

NBG gained also “Most

Innovative Retail Bank –

Greece 2018” award of the

International Finance

magazine, which singles out

top performance by banks

in the fields of innovation, IT infrastructure

development and commitment to customer

service.

These awards vindicate the strategic emphasis

placed by the Bank on state-of-the-art products

meeting the needs of its customers, as well as the

development of innovative technologies

enhancing customer service and customer

experience in everyday transactions.

Leading position in cross-border trade finance

NBG’s Trade Finance services were awarded two

significant distinctions within the context of the

“Euromoney Trade Finance Awards 2019”, a

prestigious forum in the global financial sector.

Specifically, NBG won the distinction of the best

bank in Greece in the Trade Finance sector, in the

Market Leader and Best Service categories.

The results were based on surveys conducted

among more than 7,000 businesses from 89

countries, which were asked to rate cross-border

trade finance providers globally.

Yet another important

distinction -- “Best Trade

Finance Bank in Greece

2019” -- was awarded by

Global Finance to the Bank in

recognition for its cross-

border trade finance

services. The magazine rewards the top

cross-border trade finance providers in 96

countries on the basis of the following criteria:

volume of transactions

global geographical coverage

quality of customer service

competitive pricing

Innovative technologies

The distinction awarded to NBG Trade Finance

services reflects the trust shown in NBG by Greek

businesses, as well as NBG's ability to respond

effectively to ever-changing market needs.

International distinctions for NBG Trade Finance and i-bank



Continuing the great success at the Ermis Awards

2017, where the Bank gained 8 awards, the TV

campaign “Kids” promoting i-bank Pay, and

i-bank Pay 4Business services gained distinctions

once again.

At the Effie Hellas 2018 awards our advertising

campaign gained the distinction of one of the

most effective communication campaigns,

winning a Bronze Effie Award!

The distinction at Effie Hellas, a leading

organization in the industry, which sets

demanding criteria, proves the significance of the

advertising strategy and creative approach in

achieving the quantitative and qualitative sales

results and is a great accomplishment for our

digital services, especially taking into account the

fact that they were introduced during the period

of capital controls.

The Effie Awards (www.effiehellas.gr) is one of the

best distinctions to be earned in the marketing &

communications sector. They have been

recognized worldwide as the only awards

evaluating the effectiveness of an advertising

campaign. The said organization rewards strategic

thinking, creative ideas and the results, in relation

to the goals set for the campaign in question.

Distinction for i-bank Pay TV campaign at the EFFIE awards

http://www.effiehellas.gr


Digital Channels Division

On Sunday, 2 December 2018, the NBG innovation

marathon for the development of state-of-the-art

applications and services in the field of FinTec was

concluded with the presentations by the

participating teams and the award ceremony. The

NBG i-bank #fintech 3.0 Crowdhackathon was held

Friday 30 November to Sunday 2 December 2018

in the venue of the be finnovative accelerator

program at Moschato, Athens.

The NBG i-bank #fintech 3.0 crowdhackathon was

organized for the third consecutive year, within

the context of the business accelerator program

for fintech startups “be finnovative” launched by

NBG, with the technological and business support

of the Greek tech and innovation company

Crowdpolicy.

At this year’s event students and executives from

companies and startups formed 20 groups and on

Sunday evening presented 12 apps that cover a

wide range of FinTech services, such as:

Electronic payments

e-wallets

Simpler financial transactions for everyone

Crowdfunding

Chatbot for customer service in real-time

Credit management platforms with credit

scoring algorithms

KYC (Know your Customer) app

Blockchain technologies to optimize

interbank transactions

Μicro lending & p2p lending

Apps for SMEs i.e. e-Invoicing and loyalty

systems

Participants stood out for their skills in software

design and cutting-edge technologies as well as

for their pioneering plans on developing new

business models and solutions in the financial

sector.

This year’s winners were the BAAM team, which

was awarded 1st prize (€5,000) and the

ΑΙthoughts team, which was awarded 2nd prize

(€3,000). The BAAM team presented an upgraded

asset management platform that uses blockchain

technologies, smart contacts and AI (Artificial

Intelligence), while the ΑΙthoughts team

developed a pilot integrated chatbot app that

carries out payments. These two groups, plus the

other ten that participated, were shortlisted on be

finnovative selection day.

By supporting such initiatives in the context of be

finnovative acceleration program and

crowdhackathon, NBG aims at developing new

businesses and promoting innovation and

entrepreneurship in our country. In addition, we

set out the terms and conditions for the

collaboration framework between the Bank and

fintech companies paving the way for establishing

cutting-edge value added products and services,

as well as their launch in its customers’ network.

Our main targets are to create: (a) an open and

dynamic community in the field of #fintech and

(b) a collaborative platform between dynamic

fintech startups and National Bank of Greece,

operating as an innovation laboratory.

The 3rd round of be finnovative commences on 31

January 2019 and closes with the demo day that

will be held on 13 June 2019. More info at http://

befinnovative.com/el/

The 3rd NBG i-bank #fintech 3.0 crowdhackathon was

concluded successfully

http://befinnovative.com/el/

http://befinnovative.com/el/



BAAM team 1st place and €5,000 prize

Al Thoughts 2nd place and 3,000 prize

Teams and Mentors of the 3rd Crowdhackathon



Opening of the new i-bank store in Xanthi

On December 2018, NBG opened its 8th i-bank

store in Xanthi (7 i-bank stores operate already in

Athens, Thessaloniki and Larisa), investing in its

longterm relationship with customers and aiming

at the wider promotion of its digital services. The

Bank’s Senior Management and representatives of

local authorities were present at the opening

ceremony, and discussed the needs that can be

met by the operation of this modern branch in the

city of Xanthi.

The i-bank stores are cutting-edge e-banking

venues with modern technological equipment,

where visitors can make use of state-of-the-art i-

bank services and have the chance to live a

unique banking experience.

store customers, especially young people and

students living in the city, have the chance to

learn from its experienced staff about NBG

electronic channels, i-bank Internet and Mobile

banking, the respective products and services (e.g.

sms and email alerts, i-bank payband, i-bank

statements), as well as about the i-bank Pay

e-wallet, with a view to carrying out their

everyday transactions fast and securely, wherever

they are.

During its first year of operations, more than

27,000 banking transactions were performed in

Xanthi i-bank store, of which 50% relate to the

promotion of products available through digital

channels. 220,000 transactions were carried using

the ATMs and APSs operating in the store.

In addition, 300 prepaid i-bank Paybands i-bank

were distributed to customers as part of a

specially designed campaign that ran in December.

The team of Xanthi i-bank store (596)

Customers and colleagues visiting Xanthi i-bank store

to learn about NBG’s innovative services

From right to left: Mr Pavlineris, Assistant General Manager

of Branch Network, Ms Nazidou, Manager of Branch Network

Division III, Mr Oikonomou, Head of Contact Center Sector

and Mr Gatzionis, Manager of the Branch Network Strategy

Division


Legal Services Division

ALMA software

In the context of the Bank's efforts to modernize

and digitize its procedures, the legal cases handled

by associated lawyers were incorporated into the

ALMA software as from July 2018. The said

software has been used by the Legal Services

Division since March 2009. The successful

operational development and expansion of the

use of the software came as a result of the

collaboration between the following Divisions:

Legal Services, Operations & Project Management,

Business Analysis and Digital Transformation.

This is an integrated online application with

innovative operability and various automations

which can be accessed by Branch and Unit users

via NBG's intranet and by the Bank's associated

lawyers via internet banking. The launch of a

single database for all legal cases facilitates the

immediate and full IT display of assigned legal

cases and their progress, as well as the respective

legal and managerial actions.

The e-library “Update Archive” was launched using

the application’s technological potential with a

view to facilitating prompt and free-of-charge

updates for users. Besides the user manual, the

Legal Service Division has been posting in the

“Update Archive” files containing case histories

that could be useful for the handling of cases, as

well as guidelines and templates with a view to

supporting all users and improving the efficiency

of this electronic collaboration.

The main advantages of the application are:

Faster completion of administrative and legal

actions by means of online assignment of cases

and file keeping, as well as the related

communication regarding the respective legal

cases;

Review of each stage of the cases’ legal

handling and automatic update of all Units and

Branches involved;

Electronic correspondence and cost

minimization;

Disengagement of the Branches from time-

consuming operations via automated

processes;

Interconnection with other NBG applications

and two-way flow of information; and

Digital record of all cases, documents/

processes, legal proceedings.

Note that users managed to familiarize

themselves with the new procedure in just the

first six months of its implementation. It is

expected that the total benefit will be significant,

taking into account the drastic cost minimization

and the central monitoring of the legal cases, and

that the ALMA system will contribute to the

enhancement of the Bank’s position.

Digital management of legal cases using ALMA software


Group HR Development Division organized a

two-day hands-on development program for the

Group Risk Control & Architecture and Model

Validation Sector in October and November 2018.

This training and development program aimed at

the enhancement the team spirit and efficient

collaboration between the staff of the same Unit,

as well as of different divisions, the maximization

of business efficiency through setting team goals,

and rewarding the employees.

The program was divided in two parts: One day

away from the Bank’s premises for outdoor team

activities and another day in a classroom for the

follow-up.

The Bafi mountain refuge in Parnitha was selected,

in coordination with the Business Units, for the

first day of the program, and in October various

team activities aimed at strengthening trust,

communication, cooperation and team-working

were organized with the help of external partners

specialized in teambuilding. Using Leadership

Orientation tools the participants enhanced their

insight and their ability to adapt their

communication skills depending on their partner’s

profile.

At the end of the day they wrote down their

conclusions using a four step action model for

change.

Group HR Development Division, Group Risk Control and Architecture Division , Model Validation Sector

The TEAMBUILDING program takes off with officers from Group HR Development Division

Trekking to Bafi mountain refuge

Distinction for i-bank Pay TV campaign at the EFFIE awards


Group HR Development Division, Group Risk Control and Architecture Division, Model Validation Sector

Mr Koulorizos, Head of Model Validation Sector welcoming the participants

Mr Tagaris, Head of Group Risk Control and

Architecture Division welcoming the

participants

Team activity.

Mr Panousis,

Deputy Manager

of Group Risk

Control &

Architecture

Division joins in

Team activity. Mr Tagaris, Head of Group Risk Control and

Architecture Division taking part in the team activity


During the second part of the program, in mid

November, the participants, through a new team

activity, enhanced the learning benefits gained in

the first part of the program, discussed their

conclusions from the activities and development

tools of the first part of the program, relating

them with their everyday working experience.

Last, they proposed ways to implement and

consolidate changes with a view to enhancing

personal and team development, as well as

continuing business efficiency.

The Business Units participated actively in all the

activities and follow-up discussions: the Heads,

Mr G. Tagaris and Mr F. Koulorizos,

Mr G. Panousis, Deputy Manager, the Heads of

Subdivisions, officers and staff. The program

proved highly successful offering participants the

opportunity to exchange views and concerns

outside the workplace, enhancing insight, trust

and iand commitment to continuous personal

development and improvement of collaboration

between the teams so as to achieve common

business targets.

The trainers of the Group HR Development

Division were present in all phases and will

continue to coordinate the follow-up programs. In

2019, the employees of the participating Units will

attend customized training and development

programs, while the specialized Selection team of

the Group HR Development Division will prepare

relevant development plans.

Group HR Development Division, Group Risk Control and Architecture Division, Model Validation Sector

Communication activity on the 2nd day of the program


Nikos Kessanlis was born in Thessaloniki in 1930. After graduating from the Athens School of

Fine Arts, he studied in Rome and five years later moved to Paris.

During his life abroad he had the opportunity to become acquainted with the way other artists

worked and to experience at close hand new artistic trends and movements, such as

informalism and abstract expressionism. He soon joined artistic groups that were looking for

new ways and means to express themselves and to question traditional painting.

His work has featured in several exhibitions in Greece and abroad, and has won international

prizes and awards. In 1982 he was elected professor at the Athens School of Fine Arts, and

served as chancellor of the School between the years 1991-1995, during which time he sought

to give it a new direction. He died in 2004.

Από την Καλλιτεχνική Συλλογή της Εθνικής Τράπεζας

Nikos Kessanlis

“The artist's room”, Oil on canvas, 75.5 x 53.5cm

From NBG’s Art Collection

issue 49—january 2019 · 2019-05-17 · leading ahead, issue 49 -january 2019 5 group marketing...

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