Last week, the sale of 365.banka, which also has the Poštová banka brand under it, was closed. It was acquired by the Belgian bank KBC, which owns ČSOB in Slovakia. Over time, these banks will merge, ending the more than thirty-year story of Poštová banka.
Andrej Zaťkowho has led it for the last decade, brings up not only the difficult times of Poštová banka in the interview. In the past, it had problems with loans linked to financial groups and especially with then toxic Greek bonds, which almost brought it to bankruptcy.
In the interview, in addition to banking topics, you will also read about:
- how he got a stake in 365.banka and how he made money from it;
- why he does not want to launch a new brand in Slovakia;
- how can the general director of the bank help art in Slovakia;
- that the elites should explain to the people in the regions why it is important to protect democracy.
You have just sold a bank where you have spent more than 10 years. How does it feel?
Strange – nostalgia, sadness. I was here for almost 11 years, during that time you naturally form a bond with the brand and the people. I remember when I arrived the bank was in a lot of trouble. We did a lot of work and today it is in a different state. I will miss you.
What made you and the main shareholder J&T Finance Group decide to sell the bank?
It was about the offer. At first, the intention of the shareholders was not to sell the bank at all, the majority shareholder was a long-term investor. But about a year ago, an offer came that was so interesting and fair that he accepted it.
Did you have more offers?
Interested parties have been circling the bank for a long time, but we never reached an agreement. The banking sector needs consolidation, small and medium-sized banks have a hard time in the market. It’s not that they don’t make at least a minimal reasonable profit. But investments in innovations are unprofitable with a smaller number of clients.
Who was interested in 365.banka? Was it the big local banks or the smaller ones that need to grow?
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