Aktif Bank that made a distinguished name for itself in the banking sector with its innovations and business model defined as "New Generation Banking" was recently awarded in Europe . EFMA, one of the most important institutions in EU finance and banking sector, awarded the Bank's new project "Aktif Nokta" with first prize. Aktif Bank that outpaced the world giants in this great organization was already named as the "World's Most Innovative Bank" by outperforming its rivals such as HSBC, Barclays and Lombart in Financial World Innovation Awards.
And with Aktif Nokta Project that reached a wide distribution network in short time as a project developed exclusively for small scale enterprises; Aktif Bank, the pioneer name of new generation banking, was deemed worthy of the first prize in "Physical Distribution" category at EFMA (European Financial Management & Marketing Association) Awards.
The rivals of Aktif Bank, which won the first prize by outpacing not just the large and successful names of Turkey but the world, were Alior Bank, Citi Bank, Intesa Sanpaolo and Jyske Bank. Aktif Bank became the only Turkish Bank that received an award in this important organization of European Union that many other Turkish banks had applied for. Thus it added a new one to its many international awards taken from the prestigious organizations around the world.
With the ceremony held in Le Meurice Hotel, Paris on October 16 - Wednesday, Aktif Bank CEO and General Manager Dr. Önder Halisdemir took the award on behalf of Aktif Bank. Halisdemir expressed their happiness for their services, which are offered to facilitate the lives of their customers in line with their innovative perspective since the first day they began their journey, to be rewarded not just with successful financial results but also to be recognized with such prestigious awards in the international awards. "Aktif Bank is the symbol of innovation and dynamism in the sector." said Halisdemir.
"As a national bank, Aktif Bank became the business development platform where Turkish youth develop business. We are developing not trend-following but trend-setting products, services and areas. And this time, our project that received the first prize is a business that we developed for our Grocer Mürcel. I will tell this story later, but let me first mention that this is both an important opportunity and an important support for small scale enterprises. Behind all our innovations lies the idea to contribute to Turkey and the world. And Active Point project was born from this perspective and offer its wide service range extending from collection of invoice from various different points in the country to insurance, from GSM top-up to catalogue product sales whenever and wherever needed with its store-in-store mentality. This platform is an innovation that also took the support of TUBITAK. Thus an R&D support... And already achieved a level worth of international awards with the 1.250 points and monthly average of 400 thousand transactions it reached. At the state of today, these awards we collect as a result of the long hours we covered with hard work, faith and determination encourage us to do even better. And we do not attend to contests that select the best of Turkey. We know our achievements and compete in serious jury organizations at the international arena. We are innovative in nature. Otherwise these successful financial outcomes and international prizes wouldn't have come. I guess Aktif Bank is the organization that brought the highest amount of international awards to Turkey in the last three years. A Turkish Bank collects awards in all the contests it enters with its distribution channels, payment systems, communication, infrastructure and investment products, and made a name for Turkey. This year, we were even included as a case study in one of the important marketing books published in USA. And when these awards are accompanied with successful financial outcomes, we are getting even happier."
Patrick Desmarès, EFMA General Secretariat, named Active Point project as an impressive example of innovative projects. Desmarès also underlined the importance of innovation in banking. "The most impressive projects are seen in rapidly developing countries standing out in Eastern Europe and Asia. And Turkey is one of them. Active Point project of Aktif Bank that stood out among the long-established large banks is a good example."
ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS OF EU
Awards, which are given by European Financial Management and Marketing Association (EFMA) as an organization that cooperates with the leading institutions of the world and publishes reports in order to improve and support innovation in retail services since the year 1971 that was founded, are named among the most prestigious awards in the financial sector. The institutions that want to compete in the contest apply with their projects that are seen as role models with their innovative nature that creates a difference in the retail financial services sector. The projects that advanced to the finals in EFMA jury assessments are rewarded based on the results of the online votes of EFMA members. The other Turkish Banks in this year's contest were Akbank, Finansbank, DenizBank and TEB.
WHAT IS AKTİF NOKTA?
Aktif Nokta is a platform that facilitates the lives of the customers by enabling them to save time with its store-in-store concept offering the opportunity to securely perform many transactions ranging from purchasing different products from blood pressure monitors to vacuum cleaners and irons to toys, doing insurance works, filling transportation cards, buying intercity bus and plane tickets, paying utility bills and even topping up mobile phones. Aktif Nokta does not just help the customers by enabling them to access the services they need, but also helps business owners by opening new doors that will bring more money and more customers. For more information about Aktif Nokta: www.aktifnokta.com.tr
About Aktif Bank
Aktif Bank is the largest private capital investment bank of Turkey. The Bank is active in retail banking, investment banking and regional banking fields. The innovative and entrepreneur business manner of the Bank is recognized with 50 international awards in just 2 years besides successful financial results. It is named as the most innovative bank of the world with its distribution channels. It leads the way with the first bank bill, the first asset based security and the first project finance sukuk of Turkey in investment banking field. And it names this unique business model of itself as "New Generation Banking". Aktif Bank is declared as highly investable by JCR-Eurasia Rating in 2013 and has raised its Long Term National Local Rating from "A+ (Trk)" to "AA (Trk)" by moving up two levels.
