The implementation of direct banking was welcomed with enthusiasm by the bank clients as evidenced by the fact that nearly 200,000 clients began using the new resources within the first month with more than 240,000 using it today, accounting for roughly two-fifths of all bank customers. In addition to Internet banking, Bank of Georgia clients can also take advantage of SMS banking, Java banking (which enables clients to comfortably access a full range of banking products via Java-compatible mobile phones), WAP banking (full-fledged banking via simple mobile phones with small displays and slower Internet connections) and PDA banking (Internet banking optimized for devices with larger displays and web browsers). The most popular communication mode with the bank is iBank utilizing a call center, which is used by almost 90 percent of bank clients although the popularity of SMS banking is also growing. Direct banking is used mostly by clients between the ages of 22 and 35 along with a significant number of those in the 36-45 year-old age group.

“The new services have significantly helped us reduce the number of routine operations carried out with bank tellers, which has given banking consultants more time to focus on product sales and the sale of added value services,” says Bank of Georgia CEO Irakli Gilauri. “Thanks to the positive results that have exceeded our expectations and thanks to the excellent experience with the team of professionals from ARBES Technologies, we have decided to continue the project and to further develop the Internet and mobile banking system,“ he added. 

ARBES Technologies will deliver a new version of the ARBES OBS Internet and Mobile Banking system in two stages before the end of this year. As it did following the completion of the first phase, the bank expects an increase in the number of clients and used services. In addition to functionality adjustments, the design will be enhanced as well. At the same time, the Bank of Georgia is also adding new American Express cards to their product line and the new version of the Internet banking will support all services related to these new cards.

The ARBES OBS banking solution is one of the strategic products of ARBES with a rapidly growing client base worldwide. ARBES gained experience with banking application development through the development and delivery of the system for eBanka, the most respected banking system with direct channels in Central Europe. 

The Bank of Georgia is a leading bank in Georgia providing a wide range of services in the area of commercial and investment banking, asset management, insurance, leasing and payment card operation processing for both corporate and retail clients. The market share according to the volume of assets is over 35 percent, making the Bank of Georgia the largest retail banking institution in the country. The bank provides services to more than 740,000 clients via a network of 127 branches, 286 cash machines and other communication channels, such as the Internet and the call center. The bank won the Best Bank in Georgia 2008 award in March 2008, which is handed out each year by the Global Finance Magazine.