Zagreb, 17 March 2022 – Erste bank is aware of the current situation and the need to aid Ukrainian nationals who have been forced to leave their homes in Ukraine due to the war in their country, and who have been arriving in Croatia and other countries at increasing rates over the past weeks. The Bank is committed to playing our part in mitigating the impact of this conflict, and has adopted a package of support measures, which include several different initiatives: donations of HRK 300,000, the offer to open and maintain bank accounts for Ukrainian nationals free of account maintenance fee for a period of six months, waiver of transaction fees for payments to Ukrainian banks, donation options on George online banking and the KEKS Pay app, and, finally, the participation of the Bank's and Erste Group's employees in Croatia in financial and material donations drives, and volunteering efforts.
Zagreb, 17 March 2022 – Erste bank is aware of the current situation and the need to aid Ukrainian nationals who have been forced to leave their homes in Ukraine due to the war in their country, and who have been arriving in Croatia and other countries at increasing rates over the past weeks. The Bank is committed to playing our part in mitigating the impact of this conflict, and has adopted a package of support measures, which include several different initiatives: donations of HRK 300,000, the offer to open and maintain bank accounts for Ukrainian nationals free of account maintenance fee for a period of six months, waiver of transaction fees for payments to Ukrainian banks, donation options on George online banking and the KEKS Pay app, and, finally, the participation of the Bank's and Erste Group's employees in Croatia in financial and material donations drives, and volunteering efforts.
President of the Management Board of Erste bank
“We all must take responsible action in response to the tragic plight of the people of Ukraine in this war, and do what we can to help. With these measures, Erste bank aims to mitigate the impact on Ukrainian nationals who have been fleeing their country and seeking refuge in Croatia, at least partially. We have joined other members of the Erste Group, which is working to provide help and support in all its countries in various forms and through various measures, aware of the seriousness of the situation, and committed to humanitarian efforts and to providing care for the people. With hopes that war operations and the suffering will end as soon as possible, we stand in solidarity and express our support with the people of Ukraine. Our thoughts are with them”, said Christoph Schoefboeck, President of the Management Board of Erste bank.
“We all must take responsible action in response to the tragic plight of the people of Ukraine in this war, and do what we can to help. With these measures, Erste bank aims to mitigate the impact on Ukrainian nationals who have been fleeing their country and seeking refuge in Croatia, at least partially. We have joined other members of the Erste Group, which is working to provide help and support in all its countries in various forms and through various measures, aware of the seriousness of the situation, and committed to humanitarian efforts and to providing care for the people. With hopes that war operations and the suffering will end as soon as possible, we stand in solidarity and express our support with the people of Ukraine. Our thoughts are with them”, said Christoph Schoefboeck, President of the Management Board of Erste bank.
President of the Management Board of Erste bank
The Bank donates a total of HRK 300,000
Erste bank donated a total of HRK 300,000 in individual donations to several separate initiatives. We supported UNICEF’s fund-raising campaign to help the children of Ukraine and Solidarna Foundation’s fund “Solidarno s Ukrajinom” (“In Solidarity with Ukraine”). In coordination with local authorities, the Bank donated a total of HRK 240,000, distributed evenly between Zagreb, Varaždin, Bjelovar and Osijek, for equipment, food and other supplies for the four reception and accommodation centres for Ukrainian nationals who have sought refuge in Croatia.
Free account maintenance and wire transfers in foreign currency
Ukrainian nationals who have sought refuge in Croatia can open a basic HRK account at Erste bank, free of the account maintenance fee for a period of six months. To open the account, they need a passport, if they have one, or the ID proving the status of a foreigner under temporary protection, issued by Croatian authorities (more information is available here). Also, the bank will waive the transaction fees for all wire transfers to banks in Ukraine. The measure applies to credit transfers for all currencies and all types of clients, made from a branch office or George online banking, and it includes all types of fees.
Donations on Erste bank’s digital platforms
George online banking users can easily make a donation to help Ukrainian children through UNICEF’s fund-raising campaign. So far, they donated more than HRK 250,000. We are also developing the option to make a donation to the Solidarna Foundation's fund for Ukraine for KEKS Pay users, which will be available in coming days.
Erste bank and Erste Group employees in Croatia join the effort
Employees of Erste bank and other Erste Group members in Croatia have already started raising funds by making donations to the internal fund for relief efforts. The purpose of donated funds will be defined in the coming days, and the donation will be made accordingly. Through direct contact and coordination with local authorities, depending on specific needs of locations housing reception and accommodation centres for Ukrainian nationals seeking refuge in Croatia, we will consider the options of actively involving the Bank’s employees as volunteers or through goods and equipment donation drives.
The Bank donates a total of HRK 300,000
Erste bank donated a total of HRK 300,000 in individual donations to several separate initiatives. We supported UNICEF’s fund-raising campaign to help the children of Ukraine and Solidarna Foundation’s fund “Solidarno s Ukrajinom” (“In Solidarity with Ukraine”). In coordination with local authorities, the Bank donated a total of HRK 240,000, distributed evenly between Zagreb, Varaždin, Bjelovar and Osijek, for equipment, food and other supplies for the four reception and accommodation centres for Ukrainian nationals who have sought refuge in Croatia.
Free account maintenance and wire transfers in foreign currency
Ukrainian nationals who have sought refuge in Croatia can open a basic HRK account at Erste bank, free of the account maintenance fee for a period of six months. To open the account, they need a passport, if they have one, or the ID proving the status of a foreigner under temporary protection, issued by Croatian authorities (more information is available here). Also, the bank will waive the transaction fees for all wire transfers to banks in Ukraine. The measure applies to credit transfers for all currencies and all types of clients, made from a branch office or George online banking, and it includes all types of fees.
Donations on Erste bank’s digital platforms
George online banking users can easily make a donation to help Ukrainian children through UNICEF’s fund-raising campaign. So far, they donated more than HRK 250,000. We are also developing the option to make a donation to the Solidarna Foundation's fund for Ukraine for KEKS Pay users, which will be available in coming days.
Erste bank and Erste Group employees in Croatia join the effort
Employees of Erste bank and other Erste Group members in Croatia have already started raising funds by making donations to the internal fund for relief efforts. The purpose of donated funds will be defined in the coming days, and the donation will be made accordingly. Through direct contact and coordination with local authorities, depending on specific needs of locations housing reception and accommodation centres for Ukrainian nationals seeking refuge in Croatia, we will consider the options of actively involving the Bank’s employees as volunteers or through goods and equipment donation drives.