June 21, 2012 – Poland’s first digital bank has launched, complete with virtual branch, mobile, app, Facebook payments, personal finance management tools and an “entertainment area”. Alior Bank unveiled its separate Alior Sync business last week, pitching it as a new type of financial services firm, available anytime, anywhere, for a young, digitally savvy customer base. The virtual bank’s products and services will be addressed to customers open to new technologies and innovative solutions, seeking the most effective manners of both saving and spending money. The main target group will be people aged between 20 and 35.

Alior Sync is replacing physical branches with a virtual one that can be accessed through its Web site. The site contains a tab showing users how many employees are available to talk and through which medium – video, audio or text chat. When a customer clicks on an option they are put through to a member of staff and a screen where they can carry out transactions.

Follow the link for details: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-pn0abqWxo&feature=relmfu

In addition to regular online banking features, the new player has also developed Android and iOS mobile apps that let customers check their finances, transfer funds and pay invoices using their handsets’ cameras.

A finance management tool, which can import account histories from other banks, is designed to help customers keep track of their budget while a payments assistant helps control spending and alerts users when transactions occur.

The bank has also worked with vendor IND Group on an app that lets customers transfer money directly to friends through Facebook photos without having to leave the page. The transactions are authorised using one-time codes sent via text messages and captcha. PayPal payments can also be made via e-mail.

In the three years since its physical launch, Alior Bank has secured a significant position in the Polish banking sector as a profitable, recognisable and attractive brand employing over 3,600 people, as well as managing a network of over 400 branches and serving one million customers. Thanks to the “Alior – Bills without charges” project, all Poles are offered the possibility of paying their rent, electricity and phone bills without any commission at Alior Bank branches and partner outlets. This service effectively ensures the Bank’s competitive advantage in winning new customers. Consequently, on average two and a half thousand people every day make the decision to set up an account at Alior Bank.

Alior Bank has pioneered many significant changes in the banking market, which have been replicated by other banks. It was among the first banks in the world to introduce electronic tablets into customer service at branches, limiting the use of paper to a minimum and setting a new standard of service at bank outlets.