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www.hsbc.com
An interview with Janusz Dedo, President of the Management Board, HSBC Bank in Poland
(first appeared in "Contact International Business Voice" - Spring 2007)
Last year, when you were appointed President of the Management Board of HSBC in Poland, you presented your plans to significantly increase HSBC’s share in the Polish commercial banking market. Alan Keir’s strategy provided for Poland becoming the centre of the Bank’s expansion in Central and Eastern Europe. What is the progress of this strategy?
Since my taking up the position of the President of the Management Board, we have managed not only to define and approve mid-term development directions for HSBC in Poland, but commence implementing our plans, as well. At present, we are carrying out several projects in various fields at the same time to achieve the planned growth. We are expanding our local presence by opening corporate branches in key cities of Poland. We are increasing our product base both with regard to products offered to individuals as well as to our corporate customers. We are enhancing the Bank’s infrastructure to serve an increasing number of customers. This year will be a special period for HSBC in Poland. And, although at this stage I cannot disclose all the details, I can assure you that our presence in many market segments will not go unnoticed.
During the previous year, you focused especially on the development of a corporate service segment. Which products does HSBC offer to corporate customers in Poland?
Our Bank already offers a broad range of services and products for corporate customers, but we still plan to develop our product base with new solutions, especially in the area of electronic customer service platforms. At present, we have a group of products allowing for effective financial asset management, including electronic banking, cash payments, payment settlement systems, payment orders and cash payment cards. We provide our customers with comprehensive risk management services (a complete offer of foreign exchange operations, foreign exchange and interest rate risk hedging). We also offer a complete range of corporate current and long-term finance services. Of course, we are not forgetting HSBC’s capacities relating to international trade finance, since we have an exceptional and unique offer both for exporters and importers.
What is the underlying reason for HSBC’s competitive advantage in the Polish corporate banking market?
HSBC, as one of the biggest and best evaluated banks in the world, offers products supporting trading finance, especially including international transactions, and this is the area of our competitive advantage. Through the network of branches located in the strategic world markets, HSBC Bank customers in Poland may directly access them without using intermediate banks, which prolongs transactions and increases expenses. The Bank also offers many instruments hedging foreign exchange risk, which is very important for foreign trading. Customers making their settlements in local currencies are offered accounts and financial operations in all convertible currencies of the world.
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Do you plan to develop a retail segment as well?
By the end of this year, we will have established the first HSBC outlets with a rich offer of financial products for selected groups of retail customers. In the coming years, we plan to develop this part of our Bank systematically and dynamically.
Does HSBC Bank in Poland offer services for upscale retail customers?
Broad services and interesting products for such retail customers will be introduced along with the first Bank outlets referred to above. The HSBC Group has great experience in relations with customers. We will be able to use that experience in Poland and offer first-rate world services and products.
Does HSBC’s service portfolio comprise any special offer for Poles working and/or running business in the UK?
HSBC Bank Polska S.A. does not have a global offer addressed only to Poles. However, Poles working in the UK may take advantage of HSBC’s interesting proposal called PASSPORT offered to all foreigners. Passport guarantees 24-hour global access to money and allows for telephone or Internet account management from the most faraway corners of the world.
How is the Bank’s world experience used in the Polish market?
Given its global nature and long-lasting tradition, HSBC has broad experience in all banking fields. The goal of HSBC Bank Polska S.A. is to use that experience in the Polish market as much as possible. Knowing our customers, their expectations and preferences, we are able to satisfy their needs based on solutions already tried and tested in other markets.
Does HSBC plan to construct its own network of customer service centres in Poland?
Yes. As I have already mentioned the first branches and customer service points of HSBC will appear in Poland this year, and in the coming years this development will be more and more dynamic. I would like to, however, point out that our absolute priority is the quality of products and services offered, and not the number of branches opened.
Is the Bank interested in the acquisition of BPH SA outlets for sale?
We analyse every opportunity of acquisition in line with the development plans of HSBC Bank Polska S.A.
What is the place of the branch network of HSBC in Poland in HSBC’s global network (especially in the area of fast fund transfer/customer service)?
HSBC branches in Poland constitute an integral part of the global network of HSBC. They will represent the same high customer service standards. At Polish branches, for example, you will be able to open an account with HSBC in another part of the world without leaving Poland. The same infrastructure and IT systems guarantee that fund transfer to other HSBC outlets and outside them is highly efficient.
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