Alfa-Bank is one of the largest backbone financial institutions in Russia. This is a universal institution that enjoys the high trust of customers and partners. The organization confirms its reputation as a leading one, and ranks among the five largest in the market. Read more about the history, achievements, innovations, partners of Alfa-Bank.
Creature
The history of the credit institution began in 1990, when investors from Cyprus decided to establish a bank. Over the first 15 years, a large network of branches was created, the latest technologies were introduced, the range of services was gradually expanded, and the first partners of Alfa-Bank appeared. But first things first.
1990-1996: creating infrastructure, laying down the principles of financial policy, asset management system. A well-thought-out approach to laying the foundation for subsequent activities allowed the organization to survive the financial crisis of 1995 and enter the top three institutions in which the first Eurobonds were placed.
1997-1998: continued strengthening in the market, the emergence of new partners, the highest ratings from leading international rating agencies. Business diversification: merger with Alfa Capital. The emergence of the leasing company of the same name.
1999-2000: Active growth of the Alfa-Bank regional network. Partner banks, the list of which is presented on the official website of the organization, provide intermediary services to customers at preferential rates.
2001-2002: emergence of the new Alfa-Insurance TM. Acquisition of Amsterdam Trade Bank (ATB).
2003-2004: launch of the innovative Alfa-Bank Express project. In the Russian market in those years, medium-sized enterprises were a promising segment. Their need for banking services is great, and there are few offers on the market. The new medium-sized business lending program was developed taking into account international experience and the needs of domestic customers.
2005: entrance to the communication platform "Time to Live." Her philosophy was embedded in some services of the organization: stability and success, based on such values as family, personal development, harmony of interests.
Products
The organization’s strategy was built on the principle of universality: the bank provides a full range of commercial services. As the most “lending” institution, it borrows funds to replenish working capital, financial investments, structural financing, and leasing.
At a subsidiary point of ATB, the advantages of a Dutch bank and a large Russian bank were combined. The institution specializes in trade operations between the CIS countries and the European Union, assists in the implementation of investment injections into the Russian economy.
In addition to traditional services, the bank also offers next-generation high-tech products that allow customers to reduce payment processing costs and centrally manage cash flows via the Internet.
The interaction between the commercial and investment departments allowed the use of resources in the corporate finance market and the provision of services to foreign clients in the field of mergers and acquisitions of enterprises specializing in telecommunications, food industry, and electric power industry. An extensive branch network, Alfa-Bank's partner banks, whose list is constantly growing, as well as a well-established working algorithm, are those success factors that are necessary to achieve results in the market.
Shareholders
Today, Alfa-Bank's beneficiaries are ABH Financial Limited (Cyprus - 99, 89%), Alfa Capital Holdings Limited (0.11%). The division in the Russian Federation is the core of all groups. Alfa-Bank partners serve customers in Cyprus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, and Belarus. Among the co-owners of the institution there are also individuals - members of the board of directors.
The organization serves more than 11 million private and 130 thousand corporate customers around the world. In Russia alone, there are 130 of 711 points. "Native" ATMs more than 4000 pcs. If the cardholders do not find the right one near the house, they will be able to withdraw funds at the terminals of such financial institutions as Baltic Bank, Rosbank, Promsvyaz, MTB. All of them are Alfa-Bank’s partners, servicing card accounts of its customers without a fee.
2014 financial results
According to preliminary estimates, the net assets of the organization grew by 40%. The impetus was significant account balances, customer deposits, as well as other financial institutions. The securities portfolio comprises 86% of bonds. Over the year, it grew by 90 billion rubles. Each month, 50% of it is transferred to repos. Net profit for the year amounted to 65 billion rubles.
Car loans
One of the areas of business development is the provision of loans for the purchase of a vehicle. The service conditions are relatively loyal: a minimum set of documents, flexible terms, low rates, especially if the car is registered with a "native" insurance company. Through the bank you can buy on credit vehicles of the following brands: BMW, Chevrolet, GM, AvtoVAZ, Opel, Mitsubishi, Chery, KIA, VAZ. Applications are accepted through car dealerships. Alfa-Bank partners allow you to repay loans in the branches of their institutions by charging a minimum fee for the payment. And the insurance company of the same name provides such customers with its services at loyal rates.
Updated Internet Banking
In 2014, a credit institution together with EPAM Systems developed a new platform for online payments. It introduced additional features. Clients themselves could connect to the Alfa-Business Online service and conduct remote currency transactions. EPAM Systems is a software developer in Central and Eastern Europe. Alfa-Bank’s partners continue to cooperate to this day, actively developing and supplementing the “Business Online” system. Through the program, you can make payments, view the history of operations, export statements in any convenient format, fill out applications for transactions with currencies, send letters to a credit institution.
“Sky” partners of Alfa-Bank
Since 2014, clients of a credit institution in Ukraine can issue a Sky Pass premium credit card jointly with UIA with the following benefits:
- accumulate miles when calculating anywhere in the world;
- enter the business box of terminal D of the Boryspil airport free of charge;
- use concierge services, travel insurance abroad.
The accumulated points can then be spent on a ticket. Depending on the type of card (World or Platinum), for every 100 monetary units spent, 8-10 miles are credited to the account. Bonus upon activation - 5000 miles. And for using the card during the year, the client will receive an additional 1500 points to the account. You can buy a free ticket in Ukraine, having accumulated 10 thousand miles. For trips to Europe, you will need twice as many points. The card provides a grace period of 55 days. According to statistics, after 2 months of active use, you can accumulate miles for a free flight to EU countries.
Conclusion
Alfa-Bank was established in 1990 by investors from Cyprus. Over the 25 years of its existence, it has taken a leading position in the market, established itself as a universal credit institution and developed a wide network of branches throughout the country. In almost every city of the Russian Federation you can find Alfa-Bank ATMs. The partners of the credit institution (MDM, MKB, Baltic Bank, Gazprombank) also serve customers on basic terms.