Also Unicredit believes in digital, as he did Intesa Sanpaolo with the creation of Isybank. So the institute in Piazza Gae Aulenti also wanted to give a upgrade his Buddybank, launched in 2018, creating Buddy R-Evolution. Furthermore, the institute led by Andrea Orcell might also consider fintech acquisitions or other specialized companies to enrich the digital offer.
The new project consists of "a new branch" the 1951st of Unicredit, but "remote" and "puts customers at the center by offering them a technologically advanced digital platform, thanks to which they will be able to choose how and when to access the Unicredit world, wherever they are ”, explains the bank in a note.
Orcel: Fintech acquisitions could be considered
“We already have 1950 physical branches, Buddy is 1951st, mobile and remotea”, adds the press release, underlining that Unicredit does not intend to segment existing customers. “We didn't want to set a customer target because otherwise we'd start pushing one channel over another and we don't want to do that,” said Unicredit CEO Andrea Orcel during the presentation, adding that, if opportunities compatible with the group's strategy arose, Unicredit could also consider fintech acquisitions or other specialized companies to enrich the digital offer.
All ready by the first quarter of 2024
Buddy R-Evolution, will start during first quarter of 2024, with a model of enhanced service e complementary to the channels already existing in Unicredit: physical branch, call center, internet and mobile. Customers will be able to choose whether to interact via chat with an operator, 24 hours a day, 24 days a week or opt for a physical interaction, making an appointment with one of Unicredit's 7 financial agents for personalized advice, at home or in another location of your choice even beyond normal working hours. It will also be possible to access professional consultancy in real estate sector, through the network of Unicredit Subito Casa. The bank “intends to serve its customers in the way best suited to them, offering choice, discretion and flexibility. It goes beyond simple digital banking and Buddy is the right choice for those who prefer the branch to follow them everywhere", explains a note.
Buddybank has already exceeded 400.000 customers, at a rate of 80-90.000 new entries per year
This initiative is one of the pieces of the digital transformation plan of Unicredit Unlocked, which is based on important investments in cloud, data and AI technology. “We are not trying to have a target customer one way or another, we are giving another access to Unicredit,” underlined Orcel.
In recent years, Buddybank has grown by 80-90.000 customers per year, mainly new customers, reaching over 400.000. “We expect this step to grow further in the coming years with the launch of the new Buddy R-Evolution”, declared Remo Taricani, deputy head of Italy at UniCredit, during the press conference.
