The Client
BIG Bank Gdanski S.A. is a nationwide commercial bank in Poland that offers high-class financial services to its customers. Established as Bank Inicjatyw Gospodarczych BIG S.A. on June 7, 1989, it is one of the first private banks in Poland.

Its market position ranks BIG Bank Gdanski S.A. (BBG) amongst top-rated Polish financial institutions. BBG, the leader of BIG Capital Group, consists of companies that provide specialized financial services (leasing, factoring, brokerage services, pension fund, investment fund), which complements the basic offerings of the bank.

The Challenge
BBG wanted to integrate and re-engineer the existing bank structure as well as establish new divisions that created a modern banking institution based on electronic channels. BBG organized the cooperation with customers on the basis of five business lines that offer financial services customized to their clients' needs, provided by specialized sales networks and automatic distribution channels. To achieve this, the bank created business lines called the Millennium network, the Millennium Business network and the Millennium Prestige, as well as regional business centers and a special centralized unit of BBG.

The improvement and development of automatic distribution were key elements of the bank's strategy, along with a comprehensive approach to customer needs that included offering a wide range of products, a highly qualified staff and a clear understanding of customers' needs.

The Solution
Since 1998, BBG and Euronet have developed a coordinated strategy that includes both software and outsourcing solutions to provide comprehensive electronic channels. BBG has implemented Euronet Integrated Transaction Management® (ITM) to fully integrate their Fiserv back office system with ATM Management, Credit Card Management, Debit Card Management and Bill Payment.

The bank also contracted Euronet to drive its entire ATM network of 400 ATMs located around the country in both on-site and off-site locations. The ATM network recently expanded with 400 new ATMs owned and operated by Euronet itself. Additionally, BBG is also participating in the Euronet ATM network, which adds 812 distribution points for BBG customers in Poland. On both networks, BBG clients enjoy access to the widest transaction set in Poland, which, in addition to cash withdrawal transaction, includes balance enquiry, mini-statement, funds transfer, PIN change and bill payment. Moreover, both organizations are working on new BBG-exclusive transactions tailored to specific services delivered by the bank to its clients.

The Results
As a result of this coordinated software and outsourcing strategy, BBG established a strong and differentiated retail presence in Poland using the ATM distribution channel. The strategy helped them seamlessly integrated the management of their debit card and credit card programs. BBG increased its bottom lines with fee-based income from new transactions, such as ATM Recharge, interchange fees and customer retention.

"Around 50% of our customers transactions are performed through alternative / automatic distribution channels," said Pedro Ribeiro, BIG Bank Gdanski Vice-President of the Board. "ATMs play a key role as an alternative touchpoint for our customers and Euronet has proved to be a valued partner with excellent service and reliability. By outsourcing our ATM network to Euronet, we can focus on our core business of banking, we enhance customer convenience and we benefit from an expanded transaction set and quick-to-market solutions."