Digitalization did not bypassed almost a single sphere of activity in Azerbaijan. Many institutions, from state bodies to companies working in the private sector, provide citizens with modern solutions based on innovation and high technologies. Local banks also do not lag behind this trend. The first digital bank of the country – Birbank can be given as an example. Zakir Khanmamedov, the leader of the Birbank Traiber in Kapital Bank, spoke about the advantages, functions and future innovations in a digital bank.
– first of all, I would like you to explain the difference between the classic application of mobile banking and DJing-Bank?
– A few years ago, Azerbaijani banks, like around the world, began to offer their mobile applications along with traditional services. Thus, people have the opportunity to perform operations with their cards and accounts remotely. Over the years, as the spectrum of the offered services increases and the application functionality of applications, mobile banks began to turn into digital banks. The first to undergo this transformation and was DJing-Bank was Birbank, the leading leader of the local financial industry. In simple terms, the main difference between a digital bank and a mobile banking application is the availability of a loan or card without visiting a branch. That is, the client can apply for a loan or order a card completely online and get them as quickly as possible without contacting. I note that customers as a whole actively use online channels, apply for products via Birbank, corporate sites, WOLT service, etc.
– What has changed since Birbank became the first digital bank of the country?
– firstly, the entire local banking industry has undergone significant changes. As you know, since November 2021, the Apple Pay mobile payments system began working in Azerbaijan, and a little later, in August of this year, Google Pay was launched. I note that Google Pay is available only in 45 countries of the world, and the fact that Azerbaijan is one of these countries can certainly be regarded as the huge success of our banking sector. Then we were the first to launch bank cards in the world through WolT service. In addition to Birbank and our websites, we gave customers the opportunity to order a debit card through the marketplace in the WolT app and get plastic within 1 hour from the date of order. I note that both the card and delivery are provided absolutely free.