Awards for Excellence 2020
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Santander has been one of the most innovative groups in the world in its response to the Covid-19 outbreak, and its Polish subsidiary is no exception.
As the pandemic gathered pace in March, Santander Bank Polska, led by chief executive Michal Gajewski, quickly put together a comprehensive package of measures designed to support its employees, customers and wider society.
Financial assistance for retail clients included a freeze on loan principal repayments for up to six months and free ATM withdrawals, while business customers benefited from free online accounting services, automatic overdraft extensions and the waiving of a range of account fees.
Where Santander Bank Polska stood out, however, was in the non-financial help provided to customers struggling with the impact of lockdown and the pandemic.
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Michal Gajewski |
The lender conducted an extensive communication campaign encouraging customers to stay at home and educating them on digital banking, with a particular focus on senior citizens. Older customers who needed to visit branches were able to do so during dedicated opening hours.
Families were also offered online financial education materials for use in home schooling.
For its own staff, Santander Bank Polska not only ensured that all frontline workers were provided with suitable safety equipment but also provided psychological support via a hotline for all employees.
However, the bank’s most innovative solutions were designed to benefit the broader community.
It was the only financial institution in Poland to organize a nationwide fund-raising, encouraging employees and customers to make donations for the purchase of equipment and protective gear for Polish hospitals treating coronavirus patients.
Santander Bank Polska offered to match every zloty donated, and by early May had raised more than Zl3 million ($756,000). The bank also donated Zl2 million to the neediest hospitals for the purchase of face masks and ventilators.
Finally, to help Polish citizens make sense of the barrage of Covid-related news and views, Santander Bank Polska created a unique information service for all offering proven and reliable information on the pandemic.
The website, RazemPokonamy.pl, also provides a guide how to survive the pandemic, where to look for help and advice on healthcare.
