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CHALLENGE AS A PATH TO SUCCESS I think we have succeeded in what our mission is, and that is to anticipate market expectations and create high quality products, through the application of new technologies and services
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PÁL KOVÁCS CEO, Crnogorska Komercijalna Banka AD Podgorica, member of OTP Group
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MONTENEGRO 2021
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xtensive experience gained during these trying times was a turning point for the entire world based on which we will further strengthen our market position and justify customer expectations. We are going to use our experience and energy to create new products, services and projects that will make Montenegro a more attractive place for business, investment and living in general. Given your abundant experience in the banking sector, could you tell us how the Coronavirus pandemic generally affected the operations of banks and CKB specifically? — The public health crisis caused by the Coronavirus pandemic has brought a whole new reality without much time to adjust, so the entire system had to re-
act quickly and efficiently to a new environment. Unfortunately, today we are witnessing a lack of clear state strategy and determination of decision-makers to tackle, in a more agile manner, the issues we face. This is not giving a positive signal to the existing and potential foreign investors who are rightly concerned about direction in which the country is moving. People are the greatest value of CKB, thus our priority has been to preserve the health of the employees. We invested significant efforts and resources to create a safe environment in which support and empathy are uncompromising values. CKB has quality procedures in place and a modern business organization. The fact that we are a part of OTP Group, the leading banking group in the CEE region, further confirms that this is a stable and resilient system which is constantly upgraded and strengthened. Owing to that, in the environment where it was difficult to plan anything, we managed to give an adequate response to
all challenges and be one step ahead, whenever possible. CKB Customer Protection Program, whose implementation was intensified in the past year, may be the best example of this. As part of this Program, we met with the customers who needed our support. We created models tailored to their needs, giving them the opportunity to successfully handle the crisis and continue doing business through a sustainable approach. This is just one aspect of the partnership approach that CKB customers expect and for which
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We came to understand that the awareness of the general wellbeing and interest is irreplaceable and that no personal success or satisfaction is sustainable without that awareness they place their trust in us. How did CKB contribute to the elimination of consequences caused by the Coronavirus pandemic? — During the pandemic, as I mentioned, we succeeded to provide solutions and offers that enable long-term stability to the customers, but also easier return to
