The online applications for banking products and services increase by nearly 40% on an annual basis;

At the same time 70% of the daily operations are performed by the customers entirely via the alternative banking channels – online or at the self-service zones.

For two years the customers who have started performing daily banking operations via their mobile phones have increased five times. This is evident from a UniCredit Bulbank analysis of the development of the alternative banking channels. The growth in the use of online banking is 85% on an annual basis.

"Technological changes have a considerable influence on the banking services. The alternative banking channels are now leading and becoming part of the traditional ones. A delightful and more convenient future is ahead of us", Levon Hampartzoumian, Chief Executive Officer of UniCredit Bulbank, said. According to him, the banking services of the future will be much more efficient and even cheaper.

"Just like last year, 2015 is going to be dynamic regarding the development of the alternative distribution channels in the financial sector and an important step about the transformation of the traditional banking in line with the clients' changing expectations for an easier and faster access to financial services without restrictions in terms of working hours and location", Tsvetanka Mincheva, Director of Retail Banking Division of UniCredit Bulbank, commented. According to her, the market will keep developing dynamically and the focus will be mainly on the introduction of new functionalities and improvements of the existing ones, as well as on the creation of new distribution channels. This will be facilitated by the dynamic and accelerated development of technologies, as well as by the constant efforts of the banks to be closer and closer to their clients, offering them the right product at the right place and at the right time.

In the past year, UniCredit Bulbank developed and implemented many innovations in its alternative banking channels. The new version of the mobile banking, based also on gesture commands, has led to increase of the customers and transactions by over 100%. For greater convenience, a customer can now use online banking to make a Third Party Liability insurance, to define their own individual savings plan, even to purchase a car through the bank. Thus the online applications for banking products and services increase by nearly 40% annually; At the same time 70% of the daily operations are performed by the customers entirely via the alternative banking channels – online or at the self-service zones.

Besides, the mobile banking of UniCredit Bulbank is now available for tablets as well. Like the version for smartphones, the application features a unique design and easier navigation. The functionalities in the free zone are available for everybody – currency calculator, the nearest branch or ATM, contact with the bank. Upon activation, directly from the device, the customer can track current balances and movements on bank accounts, information regarding debit and credit cards and loans.

This year, Bulbank Mobile will be upgraded with a new version, which will have a menu for payment of utility bills, available for all versions of the application, and an option for automatic application for debit cards.

The customers will have at their disposal 35 ATMs with a deposit functionality as well as 12 self-service zones with 24/7 access. There the customers can perform the usual banking operations – cash withdrawal and deposit, order of transfers, payment of bills, obtaining information and assistance with regard to the used banking products and services, etc.

UniCredit Bulbank constantly wins awards for its achievements in the field of innovations and development of new technologies. The service Cash M transfer was distinguished as the most innovative banking product for 2013. Through it, the bank's customers can send money to their family, friends or relatives by using their bank card at an ATM.

The online tool Your Financial Advisor of UniCredit Bulbank ranked second in a prestigious competition for innovations, organized by the European Financial Marketing Association (Efma). Your Financial Advisor is an online application for personalization of the banking services. It has been created with intuitive and user friendly design so as to provide maximum convenience to the customers. They can get oriented in the rich portfolio of services offered by UniCredit Bulbank in just a few steps. The offered services are divided into 9 categories: For Home, Savings, Payments, Investments, Auto, Travel, Health, Education, Hobby. The services of the financial tool go along with deposit, credit and savings calculator.

Further information for clients:

UniCredit Bulbank, Call Centre

Phone number: 0700 1 84 84

More information for media:

UniCredit Bulbank, Identity & Communications Department

Viktoria Blajeva, Phone: + 359 2 9264 993, wjlj/ebwjepwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

Magdalena Ivanova, Phone: + 359 2 9232 528, nbhebmfob/jwbopwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch