Prestigious financial magazine, The Banker, a part of the famous publishing house „Financial Times Group“, has declared Banca Intesa ’The Bank of the Year’ in Serbia.

This eminent award for the best bank was received by Mrs. Draginja Đurić, CEO Banca Intesa Belgrade and Mr. Giancarlo Miranda, Deputy President of the Executive board Banca Intesa Belgrade in London last week.

Title “Bank of the year” is every year awarded by “The Banker” magazine for different regions, countries and categories, and in the selection process, the choice of the most successful is, apart from the quantitative criteria such as total assets growth or profitability, also guided by the level of development of modern technologies and infrastructure as well as by development of strategies directed towards future and their implementation in practice.

"Banca Intesa has successfully responded to all challenges raised amid the global economic downturn, thus confirming its solidity and stability in extremely difficult market conditions and further expanding its business leadership. Besides consolidating our leading position in the market, at the same time we have managed to maintain the top asset quality of our peer and preserve a low-risk profile," said CEO Draginja Djuric on the ocassion.

Banca Intesa, which is the biggest bank in Serbia, has recorded a growth in the past period according to all relevant operational parametres. With total assets of EUR 3.4 billion, total corporate and retail loans amounting to EUR 2 billion and deposits of EUR 1.8 billion, Banca Intesa has validated its leadership position on the Serbian market.

With total corporate placements of EUR 1.5 billion, Banca Intesa is one of the biggest creditors of Serbian economy. In the first ten months of 2009, the bank recorded a very dynamic growth of corporate placements amounting to EUR 112 million, which is by the 8% more when compared to the end of 2008. Total corporate deposits reached EUR 961 million at the end of September, which is a 16% higher compared to the end of 2008.

As for retail operations, Banca Intesa is among the leading banks on the domestic market in terms of savings volume with total deposits amounting EUR 802 million and a 14.1% market share. In comparison to the end of 2008, the deposits grew by 34 million euros, i.e. 4%, by the Q3 of 2009. Retail placements also realized a growth of 5%, only to reach 544 million euros.

The Banker magazine is a very influential financial publication which surveys and analyses are used as a standard in the business world.

The title of ’The Bank of the Year’, which the magazine gives in different regions, countries and categories, is considered one of the most prestigious global banking awards.

Ever since its establishment in 1926, the magazine has been covering financial industry and is considered a reliable source of global financial reporting for its subscribers in over 150 countries. The magazine has a data base containing information on over 4,000 credit institutions which it uses for evaluating business strength, reputation, profitability and overall financial situation of the aformentioned companies.