Journalist Pavel Zingan in an Interview with Irina Gulca, Business Banking Product Manager at maib
Irina, hello! As a product manager, you manage several business-related products. Am I right?
Yes, all my products are related to legal entities. These include deposits, foreign currency transactions (FOREX), and business service packages.
What are business packages?
The idea came when we analysed how maib customers choose the bank’s products and services. We noticed that it can be difficult for a customer to choose from a long list of services precisely what they need, depending on the size and type of their business. So that the customer doesn't have to calculate how much each service costs and how to access it, we decided to make it easier for them to choose a whole package that already includes some of the bank's products and services.
However, customer needs are quite different, aren’t they?
That’s why we’ve created four packages to suit almost every type of customer, so every customer can find the range of services that suits their business.
Do you mean the small and medium enterprise segment?
Yes. We started with start-ups, businesses that were at the beginning of their activity. For start-ups, we have a package called “Start”. We offer the customer the possibility of using the package for free for six months.
What is included for free in this package?
Account opening and administration are included, as well as a certain number of payments, so customers can get accustomed to working with the bank, as this is their first experience.
Are there set criteria for what counts as a start-up or a new business?
Of course. This definition applies to all companies that have been established within the last 12 months.
Which package follows “Start”?
“Forte” is aimed at companies that have already settled in business and are starting to grow and increase their turnover. We have included many more monthly payments that a company can make for free. The forte package also includes free opening and maintenance of a business card.
You’ve frequently mentioned free monthly payments. How does that work in figures?
I’ll present the figures for all the packages. The start package offers up to five free payments per month (and another 20 for start-ups), forte - 40, pro - 80 and extra - an unlimited number of payments.
So, we gradually move on to the Pro package?
This package suits companies with a higher turnover that must conduct frequent foreign currency transactions. With this package, a company has the right to negotiate the exchange rate when buying or selling currency to receive cash at a discount. The Pro package also has additional options for companies in the IT sector. This allows for free transfers to individuals outside of payroll projects, as IT companies often attract various specialists without them being permanent employees. Additionally, the limit for free business card openings has been removed for this category of companies.
We haven't discussed the Extra package.
At the end of the interview, we should provide a link to a comparison table for all the packages so readers can compare them all on one page. What I’d like to highlight about the Extra package is that it includes a personal manager. The customer can contact this manager to resolve any issues. Also, as I mentioned, the Extra package offers unlimited free monthly payments in the national currency, and regarding foreign currency, in addition to the ability to negotiate exchange rates, there is also a free investigation option if a foreign payment has not reached the beneficiary, or the option to cancel it.
Were these packages developed gradually by studying the needs of maib business customers?
No. It would be wrong not to consider the interests of certain customers when developing the packages, which is why we launched the four packages at the same time, as of January 1, 2024.
Have the packages been significantly improved over the last year?
We have been well prepared for their launch and nine months of work have confirmed that the packages have been developed to a roughly optimal level. The exception is that in the pro package, we finalized the issue of dividend payments to founders. The founder is not always part of a salary plan and we have equated dividend payments with salary payments.
What new services await package holders?
They concern the further digitization of maib business. Soon it will be possible to negotiate the purchase of foreign currency online without calling the bank. The same changes will apply to the business packages themselves. Customers will be able to select them online and, if need be, change and upgrade as their business grows.
Thank you for the interview! I’m sure the business audience will benefit from organized information about maib’s business packages. And, as you suggested, let’s include a link to the comparative table of business packages at the end of the interview.
