For us, the end of the year has always been the time to celebrate the anniversary of the Association of Serbian Banks, founded on 4 December 1921, and a time to look back at the achieved results and consider our plans for the future.
As this year the whole world was affected by the pandemic, due to the impossibility to gather and celebrate our 99th birthday in a traditional way, we have decided to mark this occasion online. Thus, we invite you to watch the video address of Mr Vladimir Vasić, ASB Secretary General, here.
On behalf of the banking sector, the Association of Serbian Banks will direct the funds that were planned for the celebration towards those who need it the most at the moment, through another donation to the health system of the Republic of Serbia.
This year, the banking sector of Serbia supported the measures of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, the Ministry of Finance, and the National Bank of Serbia. In the conditions of a global pandemic, it showed that its stability, liquidity, and its readiness to help the state, economy and citizens of Serbia. The year behind us was marked by two moratoria on liabilities to banks and a guarantee scheme to support companies. Their total value is over EUR 5 billion. During the pandemic and state of emergency, banks enabled regular payment operations, pay-outs of pensions in special conditions, and regular lending to the population and the economy. They succeeded thanks to their solid working systems, as well as the selflessness of employees who put themselves and their health at risk.
Given the situation that the whole world is facing, this year was also marked by accelerated digitalisation and growth of all forms of cashless payment, online and mobile banking, as well as the implementation of innovative digital services. All these activities were acknowledged by the Association of Serbian Banks, together with its members, thus representing a link between the banking system and the public, i.e. the media, citizens, state bodies and regulatory bodies.
In the next year, the challenge for all of us will be to maintain economic stability, to work on economic recovery, preservation and growth of standards and financial security of citizens. The Association will continue to work on financial literacy. More knowledge about banking services will contribute to raising customer satisfaction, because that is the goal we strive for and without which all our work is futile.
Next year will mark a great jubilee for us and we believe that we will celebrate 100 years of the existence and work of the Association of Serbian Banks in better circumstances, together with all of you.
