Santander Bank Polska awarded at the Celent Model Bank Awards 2023
The bank was recognised for its social commitment and corporate BLIK cheques, which helped during the refugee crisis.
Santander Bank Polska is an institution that designs its services and products to support its customers and help them on a daily basis. The bank is just as strongly committed socially by responding rapidly to the needs of the various social groups that make up its business environment.
For its efforts to help during the refugee crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, the bank was awarded the '2023 Model Bank for Helping Customers in Need’ at the Celent Model Bank Awards 2023. The award was given for developing an innovative system for the use of BLIK corporate cheques. The solution was used to support UNHCR Cash Assistance, a programme of the UN Refugee Agency, in the fast and secure distribution of cash to Ukrainian refugees on Polish territory.
This is one of the projects that cannot be judged solely on the business case. It is an example of action coming straight from the heart. Santander Bank Polska saw the people who needed help and did not want to stand by. The innovative use of BLIK corporate cheques is a perfect example of how a bank can support people in need.
The UNHCR Cash Assistance programme uses technology provided by Santander Bank Polska, based on the BLIK cheque system – a unique nine-digit code that can be used to withdraw cash from ATMs without the need for a payment card, bank account or smartphone banking app. The service does not require the production of any plastic cards.
Refugees who registered at UNHCR reception desks received a 4-digit PIN followed by a 9-digit BLIK cheque number via SMS, which allowed them to withdraw the amount allocated by the humanitarian organisation from most ATMs in Poland, including those operated by Santander Bank Polska, PKO BP, Millennium, BNP Paribas, mBank, ING, SGB, Euronet and Planet Cash, regardless of their location.
I am glad that at Santander Bank Polska we are attentive to what is happening in the world. We are able to react quickly and thus help in a real way. In developing the technology for BLIK cheques, we used our know-how and the great commitment of our teams. As a result, aid was able to reach those in need quickly. And this is our mission, which we will continue to pursue.
The Celent Model Bank award recognises best practice in the use of technology in various critical business areas in the financial sector. This year marked the 16th edition of this competition. Submitted projects are judged on three criteria: demonstrable business benefits, degree of innovation and excellence of technology or implementation. The competition is organised by Celent, an international research, banking sector analysis and financial advisory company.
