Converse Bank is celebrating its 30th anniversary, while announcing the launch of a new era of bank’s rebranding and further development. What is the essence of Converse Bank and what it has to offer to the Armenian banking system. We talked about this and other topics with Andranik Grigoryan, Chief Executive Officer of Converse Bank, Chairman of the Directorate.

- Today, 30 years after its foundation, what do you think, where does Converse Bank stand?

- Converse Bank is a responsible, reliable, young and innovative bank. It is a financial institution in its prime, with sufficient experience and knowledge, formed over the years and based on family value traditions, will power and a team of professionals to implement new and ambitious development programmes.

These programs have already been decided. Active steps are being taken to implement them. We are confident that both existing customers and the new generation will be satisfied with the transformation of our bank. Since the development of services for the new generation is one of our priorities.

- Can we confirm that 30 is an excellent age for a bank with ambitions to start anew, continue developing and creating a stable foundation for the future?

- Yes, by the standards of the banking system, we are a young Bank and, like a young person, we prefer speed and convenience. We think about conquering the digital domains and, thanks to this, to provide maximum opportunities to our clients.

In the process of digital transformation towards modern banking services, we have already outlined our capabilities, clarified our vision for further development, identified our future, the steps we need to take to achieve it all, and have already started to implement our projects.

- With regards to retail business, according to you, how important is the relationship with individual customers?  

- We build our relationships with individual clients on trust. We are not only a lender, but also clients’ financial advisor, which guides them to responsible financing and provides financial resources for their needs.

Our income is not generated by non-performing loans, penalties and fines, our "income" / achievement is: responsible financing and our customers/borrowers who makes their decisions after consulting us and get access to funds 24/7.

- And what is your attitude towards business loans? In your opinion, is it just financing or an investment in the development of businesses and the economy?

- We not only finance businesses but also make the necessary investments for the establishment and development of businesses by giving advice to our clients and going through the entire journey of the formation and the development of their businesses.

And investments are based on research, financial and business analysis, business model assessments, balancing of risks.

Moreover, often the analysis carried out by our specialists for the purposes of lending becomes the basis for business restructuring and the introduction of a new model, which leads to business improvement and increased creditworthiness.

- You did not mention investment opportunities. If you were asked why and how to invest, what would you answer?

- I think over the years, Converse Bank has become a reliable partner for thousands of investors and the bank offers investments in various financial methods: deposits, corporate bonds of the bank, as well as many other investment types, which are available on the local and international financial markets, such as, shares, bonds, ETF’s and different types of assets.

Even today, we continue to create investment platforms and tools for our clients, including the Converse Mobile application. We share the experience and knowledge of our professionals with them, while opening the doors to the business of investing.

We have also introduced the operation of providing corporate financial services, which enables our corporate clients to raise funds in capital markets with our bank's support. On the other hand, thanks to this, our investors get the chance to invest in various sectors of the economy through securities.

- What should our clients expect from Converse Bank in 2024 or say in 5 years?

- I am confident that we will be able to create a digital environment in which people will feel most comfortable and will be able to fully realise their financial potential. They will be able to manage their accounts, receive financing, make purchases and investments. Moreover, what I have said applies equally to both, individuals as well as businesses.

We want to be a bank that is not just a bank for our clients, but a daily advisor, a lifelong partner, a financial institution which comes first to their mind when thinking about starting a business or an initiative to realise their dreams.

- And finally, what would you like to wish to the readers for the upcoming holidays?

- I would like to wish them a Happy New Year and Merry Christmas. I wish them happiness, financial well-being, as well as, in order to realise their dreams of becoming first, the desire and the energy to continue learning and developing.

We know by our own example that it is thanks to the above that the impossible becomes possible on the journey of realising our desire to be first.