Digital banking experience Bank of Georgia regards digital experience in modern banking as inherent to its own identity and strategy. We have actively invested in information technology solutions to offer our retail and corporate clients best-in-breed digital banking channels that help to make their everyday lives and businesses easier and successful. In order to remain relevant and up-to-date with today’s ever increasing preferences in digital solutions, we observe the latest trends and practices, analyse potential novelties and quickly turn knowledge into the services our clients need. Internet banking deposits. In addition, starting from 2018, our customers are In the first quarter of 2019, we released a brand new also able to apply for a loan or prepay it via mBank. 26,098 business internet banking platform (Business iBank) for loans were issued with a total value of GEL 39.4 million our MSME and corporate clients, which comes with plenty using the mobile banking application during 2018. Moreover, of handy features designed to make its use an intuitive a new feature was added to mBank and our customers can and smooth experience. Many of the existing features now open or terminate a deposit via our mobile platform. were redesigned, while a number of new ones were added. Currently, we are in the process of building a personal We focused our efforts on making the Business iBank finance manager (PFM) tool for mBank. We partnered even more useful for business transactions, accounting, with Strands to integrate their award-winning solution payments, money transfers and administration. for PFM into our mBank. Mobile banking Open Banking strategy Since the Bank launched its mobile banking application In 2018, we introduced BOG Fintech – a new strategic (mBank) platform in 2017, we consistently boosted its direction established under the Open Banking Strategy capabilities and usefulness. In 2018, we introduced a new developed by the Bank. Open Banking offers new payment method “QR PAY” to the local small business opportunities to innovators to create new technology- market. QR PAY was designed by the Bank as an alternative based financial services for customers. It opens up payment mechanism to the traditional point of sale terminal information technology infrastructure and new resources for small Georgian businesses. For customers who use Bank to fintechs so that they can introduce innovative services of Georgia’s mobile bank and a debit or credit card, settling in partnership with the Bank. payments with QR PAY is simple and user-friendly. Currently, about 800 small businesses are already connected to In 2018, we transformed the delivery process of in-house QR PAY. information technology solutions. We aim to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of project delivery, In 2018, we enriched our mBank with flexible tools that better meet the requirements of the Banking Business enable our clients to manage their accounts, loans and and improve the quality of end-products. 38 Annual Report 2018Bank of Georgia Group PLC