From the beginning of November, ČSOB will take another step towards ending the Poštovní spořitelna brand. It will stop publishing separate business conditions or a fee schedule for it.
“From November, we will unify the business conditions of ČSOB and the conditions of Poštovní spořitelna (our trademark) into one document. And we will also merge the fee tariffs. We are bringing the products and services of both brands more and more closer, because we want to open up the same possibilities to all clients (ČSOB and Poštovní spořitelna) within the entire ČSOB Group, ”the bank writes to clients.
ČSOB a year and a half ago announced the brand Postal savings bank he gradually dampens because he no longer wants to break up his forces. The merger is primarily intended to save costs. The bank will no longer have to run separate systems, do different marketing or set up different branches. The bank unified the service last autumn, so clients can use “blue” and “red” branches.
In addition to its red logo, the bank began displaying the blue ČSOB logo to branches of Poštovní spořitelna at branches, on the web, in internet and mobile banking, or in statements. At the same time, it began testing the sale of more banking services at branches Mortgage banks, which also belongs to the ČSOB group.
Merge in the illustrative image directly from the bank. (Source: ČSOB)
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Under the blue color and its own brand, ČSOB provides services at its branches, under the red one – with the Poštovní spořitelna brand – it offers a slightly modified offer at Czech Post branches or in special financial centers. In 2017, ČSOB managed to extend the contract with the state post office for another ten-year period.
The Poštovní spořitelna brand has been operating since 1991, and ČSOB acquired it in 2000 when it took over IPB. In 2010, ČSOB tried to rejuvenate the Poštovní spořitelna brand, gradually replacing it with the name Era. However, the campaign, which builds mainly on actress Eva Holubová, did not attract younger clients, especially when they had a choice of competing brand new banks – led by a similar-sounding Air Bank. The change was not accepted even by older clients, who preferred the “traditional Czech brand” Poštovní spořitelna. In 2017, the bank fully returned to its original name.
The fees themselves will not change significantly from November this year. The actual unification of the offer – typically current accounts – has gradually taken place before, but further differs mainly by the name (ČSOB Plus Account versus Mail account). From November, the common tariff and business conditions will unify the names of some products. Example: while ČSOB itself has so far used the term permitted overdraft, Poštovní spořitelna spoke of an overdraft. New it will be only for both brands overdraft.
As we have already written on the Pívání.cz website, ČSOB and Poštovní spořitelna since November they will stop issuing payment stickers for new applicants. They will continue to work for existing users.
The conditions for student accounts. The interest rate on overdrafts for students will rise to 18.9% pa from the current 17.9%. The bank emphasizes that it remains one of the most advantageous rates on the market. At the same time, ČSOB will reduce the age until which they can use the overdraft for students to 26 years from the current 30 years. The limit for student credit card benefits will also fall.
Since November, ČSOB has been introducing a uniform price of CZK 600 for sending a payment card abroad. Until now, she charged a fee “according to the courier’s costs”.
The business conditions also respond to the planned service called ČSOB eID, which is a method of electronic identification that will enable clients easy authentication in the online world, for example, to log in to the Citizen’s Portal.
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