Raiffeisen Bank opened first undergroung branches in Kharkiv and Dnipro

Raiffeisen Bank has opened first underground branches in Kharkiv and Dnipro. They will operate on the basis of the already existing branches and will service the customers in case of an air-raid alert in the region. The customers will be able to access the underground branches via a separate entrance.

First Bank’s underground branches appeared in the cities, towns adjoining the areas of active hostilities that are constant target of shelling. These are the cities, towns with the increased number and duration of air-raid alerts which limits the customers’ access to offline services and creates frequent problems with stable communication. Despite the difficult situation, entrepreneurs continue to conduct the business in these cities, towns, thus they need the possibility to carry out banking transactions on the permanent basis.

Such format of the branches’ operation will make possible the uninterrupted provision of banking services in wartime conditions. This does not only protect the customers and employees, but also contributes to preserving the economic stability in the regions.

“Underground workplaces enable the continuity of the customers’ service, even in case of air-raid alerts. This is especially relevant for the cities, towns under daily shelling that makes the branches stop their operation on the ground for a quite long time. Non-stop branches’ work allows to support the local business and to ensure the access to  financial  services. That, in its turn, minimizes economic losses for the entrepreneurs and the population in these regions. What is also of a primary importance that the new initiative creates safe work conditions for the employees, gives them more confidence during work and reduces stress”, — comments Artem Nidzelskyi, retail business director of the Bank’s South-East Retail Business region.

Underground  branches  will offer all the banking services the traditional branches provide, namely opening accounts, deposits, lending, consultations to the customers and cash and settlement services.

Raiffeisen Bank claims that this step will help to support the economic stability of the regions located near the combat areas, retain the customers’ trust and will create the feeling of stability and security while using banking services that is of a particular importance in the war time. The Bank plans to open a number of underground branches in Kharkiv and Dnipro and other cities, towns adjacent to the hostilities areas.

Address of the branch in Kharkiv: Base branch, 11 Novhorodska Str.

Address of the branch in Dnipro: Yuvileine branch, Slobozhanske urban settlement, 9а Slobozhanska Str.