Best bank 2025: Česká spořitelna
Česká spořitelna has demonstrated substantial growth and innovation over the past year, making it a standout candidate for Czech Republic’s best bank. The bank’s net profit soared by 40.6% year-on-year, reaching Kc26.2 billion ($1.24 billion), while its total assets grew by 12.9% to Kc2.03 trillion, indicating robust financial health and operational prowess.
In the realm of customer products and services, Česká spořitelna has significantly enhanced its portfolio. The bank’s housing loans crossed the Kc500 billion mark, and client investments under management exceeded Kc400 billion in 2024. Furthermore, Česká spořitelna has positioned itself as a leader in sustainable banking by introducing green mortgages. This initiative complements their effort to deliver 100 rental apartments specifically crafted for essential workers, thereby promoting sustainable and affordable housing solutions.
Beyond financial products, the bank has innovated in customer engagement and education through technology, with the launch of the “Hey George” AI adviser. Enhancements to the George platform mean it now includes an improved financial coaching product and sophisticated digital investment tools, reshaping the customer service model in banking.
Additionally, Česká spořitelna’s commitment to boosting financial literacy is evidenced by the reach of its Skoala educational platform, which now serves over 500 schools and 1,800 teachers across the nation.
These achievements underline Česká spořitelna’s commitment to customer service, technological advancement and sustainable development, affirming its position as a deserving winner of the accolade of Czech Republic’s best bank.
Best digital bank 2025: ČSOB
ČSOB has consistently demonstrated its strength as a frontrunner in digital banking in the Czech Republic, showcasing significant enhancements in its digital offerings and customer engagement in 2024.
The bank’s virtual assistant, Kate, has remarkably managed over 7 million conversations, a substantial increase from 4 million in the previous year, supporting a growing base of 1.2 million active users. This improvement underscores ČSOB’s commitment to utilising advanced technology to streamline customer service and enhance user experience.
The smart mobile banking app maintained its upward trajectory, reaching 1.45 million active users in 2024, which accounts for 82% of ČSOB’s digital clients. This marks an increase from 77% in 2023, reflecting the bank’s successful efforts in encouraging digital adoption among its clientele. The introduction of the qualified electronic signature feature in 2024 – with 20% of mortgage contracts signed digitally by the end of the year – significantly reduces paperwork and processing time, thereby accelerating the mortgage approval process.
ČSOB’s innovative strides included the launch of the Green0meter, an AI tool specifically designed to provide automated sustainability advisory services to SMEs. This tool aligns with global trends towards environmental responsibility and supports the bank’s SME clients in making greener business decisions. Additionally, ČSOB’s deployment of AI-driven fraud prevention tools has notably improved security, successfully blocking Kc4.1 billion ($194 million) in fraudulent transactions in 2024, an increase from Kc3.2 billion in the previous year.
These achievements clearly illustrate why ČSOB stands out as Czech Republic’s best digital bank, confirming its leadership in using technology to improve customer experience, enhance security, and support sustainable business practices.
Best bank for SMEs 2025: ČSOB
ČSOB has distinguished itself as the Czech Republic’s best bank for SMEs through significant year-on-year growth in its SME-focused business initiatives. In 2024, ČSOB reported a 6% increase in its SME loan portfolio, climbing from Kc99.7 billion ($4.7 billion) to Kc105.2 billion.
This was a notable contributor to the business loans total that escalated to Kc390 billion this year, marking a robust 10% annual growth.
Further reinforcing its support of the wider entrepreneurial fabric, ČSOB recorded a 12% rise in its leasing volumes and a 9% increase in factoring volumes in 2024. These figures underscore the bank’s commitment to providing diversified financial services that bolster growth and stability among SMEs and beyond.
Remarkably innovative was the launch of the Green0meter AI tool in 2024. This pioneering technology offers SMEs automated assessments of sustainability and readiness for transitioning to greener practices, reflecting ČSOB’s thrust towards integrating environmental considerations within its business lending strategies.
Additionally, the new version of the CEB Business Connector has been designed especially for smaller companies, and the enhanced mobile dashboard in 2024 offers new functions requested by clients or required by regulation. These upgrades simplify transaction processes and provide user-friendly interfaces, making financial management more accessible for SME owners.
Overall, ČSOB’s targeted efforts to expand and enrich its SME financing options, coupled with its commitment to digital innovation and sustainability, solidify its position as the leading provider of SME banking solutions in the Czech Republic.
Best bank for large corporates 2025: Raiffeisenbank
Raiffeisenbank has shown remarkable performance in the Czech Republic, specifically in the arena of banking for large corporates, demonstrating impressive growth and innovation over the review period.
This can be seen in the substantial increase in structured and syndicated transactions – a notable 10% increase from the prior year.
There has been a significant uptick in the volume of purchased receivables in the corporate segment, rising by 33%, and the volume of bank guarantees also saw a robust increase of 14% year-on-year, underlining the bank’s expanding influence and trust among large corporate clients.
In the realm of digital innovation, Raiffeisenbank has strategically enhanced client interactions and processing efficiency through its digital app, FinOn. In 2024, this platform enabled 70% of bank guarantee processes and 92% of requests for standard loan drawdowns to be executed digitally, highlighting a significant shift towards tech-driven banking solutions that cater to the dynamic needs of large corporations.
The integration of a tailor-made Premium API with client enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, notably tested with SAP, further signifies Raiffeisenbank’s commitment to seamless, technology-enhanced services that are customised to corporate operational requirements.
Additionally, the bank’s focus on sustainable banking practices is commendable, with green assets now constituting 20% of the corporate loan portfolio. This strategic direction is supported by a dedicated ESG team, ensuring that sustainable practices are embedded within core business operations and client offerings, providing free sustainability advisory to clients. These concerted efforts illustrate why Raiffeisenbank stands out as a leader in serving large corporates in the Czech Republic.
