1. Last year was extremely difficult because there was a global health crisis caused by Covid-19, which in addition to taking many lives, also had a negative impact on the economy. Many businesses failed, many people lost their jobs. However, our banking sector does not seem to have felt the crisis. What may be surprising is that even in such conditions we had an increase in deposits. How is this explained?

Last year at the level of the banking sector we had a growth of deposits of 5,9%. According to the Central Bank, households grew by 4,6% on an annual basis and 10,1% in the corporate sector. These indicators indicate that despite the pandemic year, the population and businesses have managed to allocate significant funds in the form of savings. I would say that in our country it is evident that there is a tradition of saving. We have a steady increase in deposits that grew even during the economic crisis. For example, in 2010 the savings amounted to 3,5 billion euros, and last year we ended with a deposit base of 7,1 billion euros. I think that the crisis caused by the pandemic additionally showed how important saving is, how important it is to have "something on the side" for unpredictable and unwanted situations. Normally, it is good to save for good things, for solving housing issues, for schooling, weddings, trips, but savings are also needed for unwanted situations.

2. It has been said many times that saving is important not only for each individual, but also for the economy of each country. That was certainly confirmed last year?

Exactly. Saving is the basic and most important step towards securing a secure financial future in the long run. For each individual, as well as for the whole community, because deposits affect the movement of the economy and economic growth, affect the growth of private consumption and investment activity of companies, ie provide opportunities for long-term placements and investment project support, and mean protection in times of crisis / crisis times.

The stability of our banking system, which has been built over the past decades, largely due to the constant growth of the deposit base, and the high capitalization enabled the banks to respond to the crisis last year with deferred payment of liabilities and increased lending, and of course with assistance. to the state (early payment of liabilities), the economy and the community, especially with the support of the health sector.

3. Has the health crisis negatively affected Halkbank, especially in terms of the deposit base?

Last year, although a crisis, I can safely say that it was successful for Halkbank, because in addition to achieving positive financial results, it also brought an increase in capital and growth of the deposit base far above the average growth of the sector. In fact, Halkbank is permanently growing its deposit base. For example, in 2019, the growth in customer deposits was 26,25%. Last year, customer deposits increased by 22,4% compared to 2019. As of December 31.12.2020, 830, the total deposits of Halkbank amounted to over 17,5 million euros. Deposits for households increased by 26,2%, and for legal entities and other deposits by XNUMX%.

The bank ended 2020 with over 187 thousand customers and more than 236 thousand transaction accounts.

The growth of the deposit base in any case shows how much the clients trust the Halkbank, something that we as a bank have been working on continuously since entering the Macedonian financial market. In addition, we are known for the diverse offer of various deposit products, tailored to the needs of customers and of course the constant introduction of new, innovative products.

4. What is the situation in terms of savings this year and at the level of the banking sector and Halkbank, given that the health crisis continued in 2021? In what currency is Halkbank saving the most?

According to the latest announcement of the NBRSM, total deposits in August increased by 1,8% on monthly basis, ie 9,9% on annual basis. In the total household deposits, in August, monthly growth of 0,9% was registered, which was entirely due to the increased deposit money and short-term foreign currency deposits. Compared to the same month last year, these deposits were higher by 7,4%. In August, the total deposits of the corporate sector increased by 4,0% on monthly basis, ie on annual basis by 20,2%.

Halkbank also continued the trend of increasing the deposit base. As of September 30.09.2021, 851, the total deposits of Halkbank amount to over 753 million euros, ie over 7,9 million euros are customer deposits. At the moment it represents a growth of 46%, compared to the end of last year. Of the above figure, 55% are household deposits. When we talk about the currency in which the assets are kept, the bank has more deposits in domestic currency. That is, by the end of September this year, 45% were saved in denars, and XNUMX% were saved in foreign currencies on customer deposits.

5. You mentioned that as a bank you take care of the needs of the clients and constantly introduce new deposit products. These days you have reactivated the Promo deposit. What are its features and what makes it attractive?

That's right. Halkbank traditionally innovates in October - the month of saving Promo deposit. This year the Promo Deposit offers the opportunity to deposit the funds at 13 and 25 months, with really attractive interest rates. In addition, for time deposits of 13 months, the interest rate is 1% for savings in Denars, ie 0,80% for deposits in Euros. For term deposit for a period of 25 months, the interest rate is 1,30% for Denar savings, ie 1% for savings in Euros. The interest rates are fixed for the term deposit period, and the minimum investment amount is 30.000 denars, ie 500 euros. No additional payments or payments can be made on the deposit.

This attractive offer can be used until October 31, 2021 during the month of saving.

6. You also offered attractive interest rates on the deposit product Evolve compared to the market average. What is the interest rate on this product and what are its specifics?

This product is specific because it has an interest rate that grows every 6 months. The term deposit is 24 months, and the client can achieve a yield of 2,70% in denars and 1,70% in euros, calculated on the initial investment. We offer two types of deposits - Evolve deposit with the possibility of additional investments and Evolve deposit with the possibility of early termination, so each saver can choose the way of term deposit that suits him best.

Interest rates are fixed and increase every six months, interest is paid at the end of the maturity period, and savings can be in denars or euros, with a minimum investment of 3.000 denars or 50 euros.

Evolve deposit with the possibility of additional investments offers a chance for additional payments on the deposit, ie the saver can make payments when he wants and how much he wants. Additional payments can be made through electronic banking, at the counters and with a standing order. The deposit is not rescheduled, and in case of early termination of the agreement, interest is calculated at sight according to the Decision on deposit interest rates of the Bank.

Evolve deposit with the possibility of early termination does not provide the possibility for additional payments, and in case of early termination of the deposit interest is calculated with interest rate from the past and current period in which the funds were termed, unless the termination is in the first period (in the first 6 months), interest at interest rate is calculated in accordance with the valid Decision on deposit interest rates of the Bank, ie it is 0%.

7. What can Halkbank offer to its depositors from its range of deposit products?

Halkbank offers a variety of deposit products in its product range, each of which has certain characteristics, so the client can choose the ones that best suit his needs.

Users of electronic banking of Halkbank have the opportunity to create a deposit online, which is made possible by the innovative product - Online deposit. The client can deposit their funds on 6, 12 and 24 months, with fixed interest rates higher than the standard deposits, and there is no need to visit a branch and sign Deposit Agreements, but can create the deposit with a few clicks through their computer .

Individuals who have an inflow based on salary, pension or additional income in Halkbank can use the product My deposit which gives an opportunity, if the client needs to withdraw funds, no interest is calculated on the withdrawn part of the deposit, while interest is calculated on the remaining part by agreement. The open deposit is ideal for those who save daily because it offers the possibility of additional and multiple payments during the one-year term deposit agreement. The client has the option to top up the deposit through electronic and mobile banking or by standing order. At General savings with a fixed interest rate, there is a possibility to pay interest monthly or at the end of the term deposit period. Currencies in which funds are deposited are: denars, euros and US dollars.

Halkbank does not forget about saving for the youngest, for whose needs Halki was created, as part of Child savings which has fixed interest rates, term deposit up to 60 months and the possibility of multiple payments. In October, for a term of 25 months, the bank offered increased interest rates compared to the previous regular rates. The product has been created for the users of Halkbank Mastercard Debit Contactless card E-Purse with which you can save on every payment. With each transaction made with this type of card at a POS terminal and a virtual POS terminal of any bank, a certain amount increased above the amount of the POS transaction will be transferred to a separate savings account (intended exclusively for this type of savings).

8. What will be Halkbank's focus in the future when it comes to saving?

Our focus so far and in the future remains improving the quality of products, introducing promotional products and developing deposit products through alternative distribution channels, so that they can be closer to customers and meet their needs and requirements. What is of course important, which gives customers confidence, is that our products have fixed interest rates for the entire term deposit period.

In the coming period we will certainly continue to create new and innovative products, in accordance with the development of new technologies and banking trends, remaining in the future a leader in this segment and a reliable partner of our customers who cares about their needs and their funds.

Halkbank is traditionally committed to innovation. Launched the Online Deposit and in that context, and in light of last year's and this year's health developments, the Bank will focus on electronic and remote access of depositors and depositors to their funds so that they can perform deposit operations through their computers and mobile phones. . In addition to taking care of our clients' health with this approach, we also hope that we will significantly contribute to reducing the physical presence in our branches and relieving the process of concluding Agreements with our clients.

Online Deposits are products that in a medium term the bank will continuously develop and improve their performance.

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