NLB Banka AD Podgorica is a member of the NLB Group, a leading banking and financial group headquartered and with exclusive strategic interest in our home region - Southeastern Europe. In the year behind us, we managed to achieve more than the set goals, while improving performance in all business segments, which resulted in the most successful year so far. With the joint efforts of all our employees, with the support and trust of our clients, we ended last year with record results. Good business indicators come as a logical consequence of our dedicated work with clients and the desire to build long-term partnerships by offering responsible financial advice. We are focused on our clients every day, actively researching their needs for financial services and advice, and we are actively working on the optimization, automation and digitalization of products, services and processes, always keeping in mind the best customer experience as the ultimate goal.
An important part of our mission – along with taking care of our clients with our dedication, knowledge and innovative solutions, is also creating a better life and a better future for all of us. That is why we have embarked on the path of intensively integrating sustainability into our business. We are determined to leave a better mark locally, but also in the region we consider our home. In our daily business, we strive to reduce negative impacts on the environment, which is supported by the fact that last year we reduced paper use by 33,03%, and fuel and electricity consumption by over 10%.
Renowned international financial Euromoney magazine has named NLB Bank the best bank in Montenegro for the third year in a row, as part of the "Euromoney Awards for Excellence" which are awarded to financial institutions that provide their clients with the highest level of service, innovation and expertise. Shortly after being declared the best bank in Montenegro, At the Euromoney Real Estate Awards 2024, we won the award for the best real estate bank in Montenegro.
We are witnessing the rapid development of digital technologies in the banking system, and as a bank that is a pioneer in providing services through digital channels, we continue in that direction and have very ambitious plans that will lead to significant changes in the daily work of clients, as well as the Bank.
Real estate portfolio
NLB Bank Podgorica has a portfolio of over 50 properties worth several million. NLB Bank's assets are part of the NLB Group's tangible real estate portfolio, which consists of more than a thousand objects worth several hundred million. In previous periods, real estate-related activities were considered "non-trading", i.e. subject to divestment. Based on relevant events related to the privatization of the parent bank NLB dd, changes in the banking industry, increased awareness and focus on sustainability, as well as the vision and strategy of NLB Bank Podgorica and the NLB Group, real estate is becoming a key segment, not only in terms of efficient cost management, but also as an opportunity for an additional source of income.
Special focus is placed on all three pillars of real estate sustainability: environmental (investing in energy-efficient sources and using energy from renewable sources to reduce the carbon footprint of NLB Banka Podgorica and the NLB Group, the entire group has become carbon neutral, thus reducing waste), social (increasing the comfort and well-being of our employees and clients), as well as corporate governance. The carbon footprint of NLB Banka Podgorica and the NLB Group related to real estate will be in line with the set key performance indicators, with the vision of achieving a neutral carbon footprint by 2050.
Main investment projects in the last 12 months:
- renovated NLB Bank headquarters building in Podgorica
- Podgorica Branch
- Herceg Novi Branch
- Kotor branch.
Renovated Bank headquarters building
NLB Banka ended last year by moving into our adapted office building, renovated according to the latest sustainability standards. Current, dynamic changes in the market and business culture were the key driver and motive to change the design of our corporate space and invest almost 6 million euros in creating a new, modern and comfortable space for our clients and employees. We created adaptable solutions that meet the needs of different work processes and allow flexibility - easy changes in the organization according to needs. We created a working environment that enables better communication, socialization, collaboration and learning. The focus is on the comfort of the workplace and a healthy environment with more space, light, air and natural materials. The comfort of the workplace is a driver of motivation and productivity and employee satisfaction, which are the key resources of our company. The ESG concept is fully implemented through the social component as well as achieving full energy efficiency through significant improvement of the technical characteristics of the building.
The bank has implemented a BMS - building management system. The introduction of a central monitoring and management system enables:
- control of the lighting system (switching off in rooms outside working hours, regulating the lighting intensity during the working day depending on the intensity of daylight)
- heating/cooling system control – temperature control depending on external influences, shutdown after working hours, automatic shutdown after opening windows, etc.
- regulation of valves, blinds, fans, and depending on the set parameters, the desired temperature and air quality is achieved, without overheating and poor ventilation.
The existing structural facade has been replaced with a new one that has a 40% more favorable conductivity factor, and additional energy savings are planned based on this.
A multi-million investment that improves many aspects of our work, from agile relationships and decision-making approaches among colleagues to simpler and more enjoyable communication with our clients. Improving sustainability and saving precious energy while making our colleagues feel at home is something we have strived for and now we can say – we have succeeded.
In just 8 months, during the renovation project, over 4.000 square meters of workspace were reconstructed, and a team of 100 professionals worked hard, investing a lot of energy. With this project, NLB Banka confirms its strategic commitment to continuous improvement and expansion of its business in our region. This is our advantage, designed to support employees in many ways, to be a place where people will innovate, create a better customer experience and better customer service, where they will be more creative and, ultimately, where they will truly enjoy their work.
In the renovated building, we have created a special space for corporate clients, where they can quickly and easily receive professional support for all their business needs in a pleasant atmosphere.
New business strategy of NLB Group until 2030
NLB Group will become the leading banking group in the region by 2030, with more than three million clients and a twice as large balance sheet. This is the foundation of the new, ambitious business strategy of NLB Group, which was first presented at the second NLB Investor Day event in Ljubljana - in front of more than 200 foreign investors, financial experts, analysts, representatives of key regional companies and the media.
Developed in response to the changing banking environment, upcoming challenges, but also new opportunities, the strategy envisages that by 2030, NLB Group will become a leader in the SME segment, while also playing a leading role in the financing of the energy transition, where the volume of such loans will amount to EUR 3,2 billion. A great emphasis is also placed on digitalization and artificial intelligence, and one of the strategic goals is for the share of mobile payments to exceed 80 percent, in the realization of which NLB Group intends to invest between EUR 170 and 200 million in the next five years.
The new business strategy of the NLB Group envisages doubling the NLB Group's balance sheet by 2030.
Investments in new products
We have introduced a new, improved version NLB Click applications Digital Edge for mobile banking. The new version of the NLB Klik application brings a refreshed page view, new functionalities, which, along with simplified navigation, provides a better user experience. The new application enables simple, secure and transparent financial management from the comfort of home, via computer or mobile phone. By using NLB Klik, clients save time and money, but also protect the environment because they directly contribute to reducing paper consumption and the use of cars to go to the bank.
NLB ProClick – The mobile banking application is intended for legal entities, created with the aim of digitizing clients and making simple banking operations in the transaction banking segment easier to use, and account information more easily accessible. NLB Bank offers two possible versions: simple - data availability without transactions and advanced - data availability with the possibility of performing transactions.
Friend payment card – New co-branded payment card offer (partnership with EYCA – European Youth Card and Mastercard) for young clients made from recycled plastic. The Frendi payment card provides numerous discounts for purchases at NLB Bank POS terminals.
We can send you a PIN via SMS. – In line with the general intention of working and doing business without paper, NLB Bank has decided to enable sending PINs to clients via SMS without paper.
Budget plus – debit card functionality that allows for an additional credit limit on the debit card.
Google Pay and Apple Pay digital wallets for Android and iOS mobile phones operating systems that enable cardless payments at POS. With these innovations, NLB Bank continues to be a leader in the Montenegrin financial market.
Investments in a better future
Through various activities, sponsorships, donations, and environmental protection projects, NLB Bank invested significant financial resources in the quality of life in our community in 2023. NLB Bank is also intensively engaged in significant support and socially responsible activities this year.
The central activity in the field of social responsibility was carried out in mid-2023, when NLB Bank donated 100.000 euros for humanitarian purposes. Motivated by the exceptional business results achieved in the first quarter of 2023, but also by the desire to direct part of the profit towards creating a sustainable future for ourselves and future generations, NLB Group donated 1,3 million euros to seven markets in which it operates, of which a total of 100.000 euros in Montenegro. We supported organizations dedicated to the most important and vulnerable groups, which are also the pillars of our society – children, families and the elderly.
Heavy rainfall in parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina recently caused floods, landslides and unprecedented destruction, and also took the greatest toll of all – numerous human lives. NLB Group has donated one million euros to help repair the consequences of the devastating floods. All banks from the markets in which NLB Group operates - Montenegro, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia and Kosovo - have joined in the effort to help with donations.
We mediate in large investment projects
In 2023, NLB Bank implemented many interesting and successful projects with leading companies in the country and beyond, with a significant contribution to the development of the economy and economic potential, for the benefit of the entire social community.
We supported the construction of the “Cortex Village” residential complex, intended for employees of Montenegrin IT companies. The project, worth around 16 million euros, will be completed in 2025.
Firmly believing that home is where people are, we want to contribute to reducing the outflow of IT personnel from Montenegro, and to demonstrate our social responsibility by providing conditions for young people to stay in Montenegro. Their knowledge and skills are difficult to replace in the challenging times of digitalization that lie ahead. In addition to favorable financial conditions, we have used our experience and knowledge as a leader in the housing financing market in Montenegro to structure an offer that will best suit employees in Montenegrin IT companies who want to solve their housing issues. This project will set new standards related to the sustainability of housing construction, but also stimulate the overall innovative capacity of Montenegro.
Virtual tour – for the first time in Montenegro at NLB Bank
As a representative of modern and innovative banking on the Montenegrin market and beyond, NLB Bank is the first institution in Montenegro to introduce a virtual tour for its new employees. An unforgettable and impressive experience, especially for those who are opening the doors of the bank for the first time.
Integrating new colleagues into the working relationship is an important process for any company, and it is of particular importance to make them motivated and excited about the new job. Virtual reality (VR) is a computer-generated simulation of an environment that allows users to interact with it. Through a virtual tour, employees will remember information more easily and better understand their role in the company. This can lead to an easier transition to a new job and, ultimately, to greater productivity. Virtual reality can create realistic simulations of different work environments, such as office space, which can help an employee in the first days on the job when key first impressions of the bank are formed, through office tours with a presentation of the sector's operations, NLB values and the bank's culture . Employees can explore these environments at their own pace and get a feel for what it would be like to work in that space.
WE INVEST IN OUR EMPLOYEES
A particularly important segment of investment for NLB Bank is investing in the knowledge and professional abilities and skills of our employees. We carefully nurture a long-standing strategy of a caring mentor, with the aim of being a safe, caring and responsible employer and colleague, a partner to our clients, and a friend of the environment in which we operate. Last year, we invested 20.000 hours in various internal and external education, which amounts to almost 52 hours per employee. Of the total number of hours, more than 60% was realized through internal workshops and activities, which once again confirms the importance of a mentoring approach and care for our employees.
HYBRID BRANCHES
Within the main administrative building, the Bank has built the largest and most modern branch on the market, investing significant financial resources in its adaptation. When adapting the branch, we tried with special care to balance traditional banking, a closer relationship with our clients and the availability of modern, digital and innovative products and services. Thus, the branch is equipped with WiFi internet, and visitors have at their disposal tablet devices and a digital kiosk through which they can be informed about the entire offer of the bank, view current promotions or apply for one of the products. The branch has retained its 24/7 zone, which, in addition to a multifunctional ATM, will now have a modern device for fast and easy payment. Many simpler tasks can now be completed faster, while financial advisors are available for consultations and advice on credit and insurance.
Adaptation in accordance with the NLB standard was carried out at coastal locations, in Herceg Novi, at the most attractive location in the city center, as well as in the old town of Kotor, as a combination of a modern ambience and the long history of the old town of Kotor.
(NLB)
