ANN/Groong -- Naumovski: Armenian Banks have worked... -
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Published on: 11/3/2003
Last Visited: 11/11/2003
Naumovski: Armenian Banks have worked satisfactorily
From: "Katia M. Peltekian" Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2003 23:12:42 -0800 (PST)
LOU NAUMOVSKI: ARMENIAN BANKS HAVE WORKED SATISFACTORILY
ARKA News Agency - Interview Nov 3 2003 An exclusive interview of Lou Naumovski, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Visa International Service Association, Moscow Representative Office, to ARKA News Agency.
ARKA - A year ago, you presented the first participants of Visa International in Yerevan.What can you say about the Armenian banks' activities in the VISA system within the period?
Lou Naumovski - We were in Yerevan in November 2002, and we projected some 30,000 cards for the year.
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Lou Naumovski - According to the projections, the Armenian banks will issue some 30,000 cards by the end of 2003.Very much will depend on Armsavingsbank, as it joined the system some 6 months later than other banks, though the bank's opportunities and reported indices allow us not to worry about the bank.
ARKA - Are you negotiating with other Armenian banks, willing to join VISA?
Lou Naumovski - We are still negotiating with Anelik Bank, which is a good bank, the capital level of which, unfortunately, does not meet our requirements.
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Lou Naumovski - We may accept those banks as principal members, provided that some of them meet our requirements as to the capital level and international accountability.But, it may be pointless and not feasible for the Armenian market to have small banks, which will pay much money for the VISA principal membership.
ARKA - Which of the local banks are members of VISA?
Lou Naumovski - The VISA principal members are Areximbank, Agricultural Co-operative Bank of Armenia, Conversebank and HSBC Bank Armenia.Armsavingsbank is an associate member.
ARKA - As far as we know, Areximbank is going to launch its own processing center in Armenia.What can you say about it?
Lou Naumovski - The intention to implement the processing center is due to the fact that Areximbank is a member of Russian Impexbank, which has very good experts and is operating successfully in the system in Russia.As to the technology, this is one of the best processing centers and has a good reputation all over the world.We shall start certification of Areximbank, as soon as it completes the system installation and passes its internal tests.
ARKA - What about the local banks' turnover on VISA system?
Lou Naumovski - According to June data, the local banks' turnover on VISA cards amounts to $2,5 mln.But it is necessary to consider the fact that the emission of VISA cards started in January, 2003.
ARKA - How many card service points are there in Armenia?
Lou Naumovski - There are 50, but the banks should make investment to prepare their clients.Namely, how to use ATMs, what shops service them and others.The banks should expand the card service net and I would like to see in Armenia a better development of medium outlets, supermarkets and not expensive shops and boutiques.
ARKA - How many service points there should be in Armenia, as to you?
Lou Naumovski - We would like to see a few hundred points in Armenia by the end of 2003.But the process is impeded by too many obstacles.The State may help in the issue.In particular, by providing privileges to the trade outlets having POS-terminals, or relieving their tax burden.
ARKA - What problems are the local banks facing, as to you?
Lou Naumovski - The problem is to prepare all the market participants.
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Lou Naumovski - This is hard to say, as the Russian banks, for example, realized the major thing - that is the necessity to focus on clients, to upgrade service and make correct segmentation, etc. - after 13 years only.On the other hand, the local market has a real chance to develop within 5-6 years, considering the GDP growth, political stability and banking sector consolidation.
ARKA - How would you asses the local market's potential?
Lou Naumovski - According to our projections, the Armenian banks will issue some 150,000 cards by the end of 2004 and the number of cardholders in Armenia will reach half a million in 5 years.
ARKA - Will the Armenian banks be involved into VISA news project - P2P money transfers (Person To Person)?
Lou Naumovski - As to our new service - money transfer between physical entities to VISA cards, then we have studied the local market and its potential and are going to implement the system in Armenia.