Last week Delo journal named the winners of the 9th annual contest Person of the Year – the chief executives of the twelve most dynamically developing native and foreign companies working on the Belarusian market. Unlike other events of the kind organised by ministries and businessmen’s unions, at this contest the prize goes to a top manager, not the company. The major criterion is the personality, the performance of companies the nominees manage being important, as well.

Prize-winner, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BelSwissBank Vitaly Kazbanov on the state of the banking system.

“BG”: What do you think about the contest?

V.K.: I think it’s good. We should all thank Delo journal for this important event. The Belarusian market can now boast of many devoted businessmen. Our bank has many such customers. They are a success, and I think that contests like this help make them well-known.

“BG”: What is your assessment of the staff of Belarusian banks?

V.K.: The specialists that graduate from our universities are well-educated and highly competent. The banking system of today has skilled employees – true bank workers.

“BG”: The Belarusian banking sector now employs both the older generation of specialists, who worked within the State Bank system, and representatives of the new formation. Which of them have better career opportunities?

V.K.: It is true that there is a big difference between those trained at the State Bank system and the younger generation. The conditions of work, principles and approaches were entirely different then. However, any bank worker has an exceptional ability to master new things. The experience of our predecessors is now very helpful.

“BG”: What kind of specialists do you prefer?

V.K.: Every candidate is unique in his/her own way. It’s frequently quite difficult to make a choice. But we choose in favour of friendly, honest, open persons. We want our employees to value other people, be it customers or colleagues. It’s not a problem for a person with a university degree to learn new materials to enhance professional experience as well as that of the bank.

“BG”: What is BelSwissBank’s speciality?

V.K.: The safety of the customer’s funds is the core of any bank. Therefore, we look at our operations only through the prism of stability and guarantee of return of deposits. This is especially true for loans, investments, other risky operations. The bank should satisfy market demand that is why the specialization of this or that operation is confined to the interests of our customers and licence powers. Our main activities currently include general cash-processing services, currency exchange operations, money transfers, some other banking services to businesses and individuals. Also, we give much attention to the culture of service.

“BG”: What stands behind the word “Swiss” in the name of your bank?

V.K.: It has been a many-century-old priority of Swiss banks to ensure the full security of the customer’s funds. We are seeking the same. Our customers should know that once they have entrusted their money to us, they can be sure that they will get it back in 5, 10 or 20 years with due interest. We are working hard for liquidity to exceed profitability. This has already born fruit: BelSwissBank is now among the top five banks in the NBB liquidity rating.

“BG”: I presume your investment policy should be quite reasonable?

V.K.: We are certainly interested in investment activity, but at the same time are very cautious about it. Like loans, investments are the riskiest business in the banking sphere. Such decisions are taken by the Board of Directors only following a thorough analysis of the bank’s special department and agreement with the founders. The decision to issue a loan is taken only if it is more profitable for the borrower to pay it off than vice versa. The policy may seem tough, but it is absolutely fair. We cannot run the risk of losing our customers’ money.

“BG”: What are the major guidelines of your investment activity?

V.K.: Now we are building a business centre. Besides, we help Belarusian companies to lease equipment. We want it to be used for the production of competitive goods and services. We also favour companies that export their make.

The bank is poised to help promote alternative sources of energy – sun, water, air, biomass. It is especially important for the country, which has no traditional sources of energy.

“BG”: Are there foreign companies among your founders?

V.K.: Yes, three Swiss companies.

“BG”: Are your Swiss founders interested in investment activity in Belarus?

V.K.: Sure. Otherwise they wouldn’t have set up a bank here. The major goal we face is to tighten our grip on the Belarusian market, enjoy the reputation of a reliable partner. There is a demand for money. As we study the demands of our customers, credit insurance we try to help companies upgrade and master new types of production.

“BG”: As the bank’s concept is saving funds, not investing in risky projects, you probably do not partake in state investment programmes?

V.K.: Obtaining such a status is an honour to any financial institution. But you should first win the right to service state programmes. We shall be happy if we once acquire it.

Belorusskaya Gazeta

“BG” Reference : Vitaly A. Kazbanov was born in Minsk in 1956.

1978 – graduates from the Belarusian Institute of National Economy named after Kuibyshev.

1992 – becomes Director of Belarusbank branch.

1996 - Belagroprombank executive.

November 1996 – becomes Chairman of the Board of Directors at Tekhnobank.

Since 1998 – Deputy Dean of the Banking Department at the Belarusian State Economic University. Deputy Director General at Minskturist.

October 2002 – becomes Chairman of the Board of Directors at USC BelSwissBank.

USC Belarus-Switzerland Bank BelSwissBank was registered on October 7 2002. The Swiss capital accounts for 100% of the bank’s authorized capital. As of June 1 2004, the bank’s authorised capital equalled €5 million.

Licences: Licence for banking operations in Belarusian rubles, General Licence for banking operations in foreign currency (No. 66 dated October 7 2002).

"Beloruskaya Gazeta"

Print version

All Articles