CORPORATE
WE MOVE BORDERS As part of the UniCredit Group, Zagrebačka banka offers both local expertise and international reach. When our clients decide to internationalize and enlarge their business in different markets, they can count on a number of options at their disposal
CLAUDIO CESARIO
General Manager and Vice Chairman of Managing Board of Zagrebačka banka
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long with the growing optimism in CEE and Croatia, in particular, as well as the improvement in lending trends in corporate sector and among consumers, Zagrebačka banka is ready to offer new types of investments to its clients.
be in line with deposits' growth for the first time in almost a decade, providing there is some optimism in terms of shifting the economic region's attitude from savings to investment. The data on deposits support this, showing a peak in growth in 2017, which is now expected to start declining.
Can you give us an overview of the banking sector in Central and Eastern Europe and in particular, in Croatia? — The banking sector across the entire CEE is in a more stable and sustainable position compared to past years, in terms of the lending dynamic but also funding and credit quality. In 2017, lending activity in Croatia accelerated in the private sector, first in corporate segment and, later, in the household one. By the end of last year, volumes in the aforementioned segments increased despite the large bad assets sales volumes concluded throughout the year. According to UniCredit Outlook, we expect that - in 2018 - lending in CEE will
AIM
Focus
ITALY 2018
GUIDED BY ONE OF THE FIVE GROUP FUNDAMENTALS (CUSTOMERS FIRST), WE AIM FULLY SUPPORT THE CLIENT'S NEED TO ENJOY ALL GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY In line with the favourable economic trends, we expect to see faster lending growth in Croatia’s private sector. Funding conditions for customers are continuously improving, thus helping
restoring demand for investment and consumer loans. We also notice the government’s efforts in improving the business and investment climate. The signs of those improvements are visible in the 2018 Economic Sentiment Index in Croatia (released by the European Commission) that is close to its historical maximum, despite all the challenges Croatia still faces.
Considering this environment, what is Zagrebačka banka’s strategy? — Zagrebačka banka is part of UniCredit Group, a simple, successful Pan European Commercial Bank, with a fully plugged in CIB, delivering a unique Western, Central and Eastern European network to its extensive client franchise. Being part of UniCredit’s international network enables a simplified implementation of financial transactions and high flexibility. Internationalisation and access to foreign markets are one of Group strengths. On one side, we have local expertise while, on the other, interna-
