I already wrote in general about electronic banking in Serbia. Here is my experience with Serbian Banca Intesa (link to their official website), in particular. I’ve been using their services for about 5 years now.
Contents:
- Introduction – Banca Intesa basics
- Security
- Banca Intesa electronic banking services
- My experience as a Banca Intesa customer
4.1. How I came to Banca Intesa
4.2. Banca Intesa – your money is safe with us… if we accept it
4.3. Banca Intesa – impulse purchase protection
4.4. Banca Intesa – emptying account protection
4.5. Foreign company checks cashing
4.6. Banca Intesa’s modernized company check cashing system
4.7. Conclusion and my personal opinion
4.8. Hotel California update
4.9. What to do as an Amazon affiliate in Serbia?
4.10. Card renewal
4.11. Updated conclusion and personal opinion
4.12. Moving on… sort of
1. Introduction – Banca Intesa basics
Note: information and experience written in this post are based on my knowledge and experience. Interpret them as: “as far as I know”, or “to the best of my knowledge”, and/or “according to my experience”. Nothing more, nothing less.
Banca Intesa has been doing business in Serbia for about ten years. Judging by many aspects, it could be said they are pioneers, inventors. For example:
- They are (among) the first to introduce tickets in their counter halls, so you don’t have to stand in line, just take a number and wait for your turn – you can go for a walk, or run some brief errand while waiting for your number to be up.
- They are among the very few banks in Serbia that offer integration for e-commerce website card payments.
- I know of only one more bank that cashes foreign currency company checks (Uni Credit bank), but under very unfavorable conditions.
2. Security
At the time of writing this post, like most other Serbian banks, they don’t provide 2FA protection of e-banking accounts.
Still, unlike most other banks, they allow the use of long passwords, and the use of special characters in passwords for e-banking user account logging in.
Changing a login password (and/or mobile app PIN) works well.
3. Banca Intesa electronic banking services
User interface for e-banking mobile app, and for on-line banking (using a desktop computer) are quite unintuitive, difficult to get by. In addition to that, it’s not possible to “name” your accounts for the mobile application – so you just see the account numbers, which is a bit tedious if you have several different accounts.
The good thing is that any incomes, or withdrawals are instantly noted when you log in, and you also get an SMS notification instantly.
They don’t charge for keeping a foreign currency deposit account (but you also get no interest on the funds stored, so the inflation rate is the charge, effectively). Serbian Dinars current account maintenance costs under 3 euros per month.
Commissions for foreign currency transactions are among the lowest, while the scope of services offered is probably the greatest in the country.
You can get cash on ATMs, but in case you have currencies that aren’t Serbian Dinars or Euros, the currencies first get exchanged to Euros (using an unfavourable exchange rate), then to Dinars (again, using an unfavourable exchange rate). While, if you wait at their branch and wish to get dollars for example (to exchange them later yourself, at a more fair rate), they often have none, or maximum of 100$ available. I wrote to the bank about this problem over a year ago, it hasn’t changed noticeably since then.
Paying local bills on-line (like electricity etc.) is free of commission for the first 5 bills per month, later it costs about 0.5$ per bill (do check the exact amounts, I haven’t used this option personally).
Update: when changing a mobile phone, it is not possible to remotely activate mobile app for the new phone, not without going to the bank (except for those that have a current account in RSD with the bank – which isn’t noted on their website instructions).
4. My experience as a Banca Intesa customer
4.1. How I came to Banca Intesa
When I had started making my website, I needed a way for paying for things on line. A friend recommended Banca Intesa – saying they don’t charge anything for a foreign currency account (with euros and US dollars, used for paying stuff online). This sounded like a good idea, since I seldom buy anything on line, didn’t want to pay each month for something I don’t use.
So I went, signed about 20 papers (they do all sorts of anti-fraud / money-laundering checks in Serbia… unless you’re a politician, or a real criminal) and in under an hour I was set. I could pay and even receive money transfers from abroad!
4.2. Banca Intesa – your money is safe with us… if we accept it
When I was buying my garage, some three years ago, I wanted to pay all the money over the bank – to make sure there is a paper trail, make sure it’s all documented and legit. So I went with the seller to Banca Intesa, where they also had an account. Then, as I was counting money to pay, one 500 euro not was turned down by the bank. Why? Because it was dirty. No damage whatsoever, just a slight, light-brown, hardly visible mark. Here’s the picture of the offensive note, I had to photograph it:
So I had to excuse myself, have the seller wait, then go to another bank, tell them the note was not accepted in Banca Intesa (so they can double check if something except the “dirt” was the problem). They were a bit confused, but accepted the note and were kind enough to exchange it for “cleaner” ones.
See how my hands are dirty from fixing bicycles? ? But I think the money I make is clean – though you can be the judge from the photo.
So that was the first hick-up I have had with Banca Intesa, but thought, fine, the other services work as intended. And I didn’t want any more hassle with paperwork.
4.3. Banca Intesa – impulse purchase protection
I seldom shop on line, but on occasions, when there are no parts to be found in Serbia, I do. One of the very good shops, with excellent reputation and good prices is the German bike-discount.de. So, on one occasion, I ordered some parts from that store. Using my Banca Intesa issued Visa. However, the payment kept being blocked. After some tries, I phoned the bank. They explained that Bike Discount is blacklisted as fraud.
Then, I said that many friends and people I know shop there, that I have also shopped there in the past, they are very secure, professional and have an excellent reputation. The reply was: “we don’t know about that, someone marked it as a fraud and we block the payments”.
Offering to unblock the payment, “at my own request and risk”. But I’d have to phone and ask each time I wish to shop from Bike Discount – no permanent “whitelisting”, even upon my own request, for that one particular vendor, for my account alone if possible.
This was awesome: a bank that really helps you save the money – no impulse purchases with Banca Intesa!
4.4. Banca Intesa – emptying account protection
On another occasion, again trying to pay on line. Had about 100 euros on my account and wanted to pay for some parts costing just over 90 euros (with shipping included). When I tried to pay, the payment didn’t go through.
Great! Another opportunity to spend some quality time with Banca Intesa phone operators – who are very polite and professional, I must say – not being sarcastic, their staff really is great and understanding… unlike their company policies.
The operator had patiently explained that, when you are making a purchase, you need to have 15% more money left on your account, than the price of the goods purchased. Why? “For covering any unexpected conversion costs”, and the conversation went on like this:
Me: “I have euros on my account and am paying for goods from Europe, listed and charged in euros. Is there any conversion in that case?”
Operator: “No.”
Me: “What kind of conversion costs are involved then?”
Operator: “None.”
Me: “Why can’t I be allowed to pay for this, without having 15% extra funds on the account?”
Operator: “Catch 22“… no, I’m joking, the actual reply was: “Company policy”, that was just my translation to plain, non-corporate English.
So technically it is possible to spend almost all of the money from your account. When you’re down to say 10 euros, you can buy something for up to 8.5, then something for 1.2 and, when you get to the last 2 cents, you just need to find something costing 1 cent. And that’s it. Banca Intesa protects you from ever going completely broke!
4.5. Foreign company checks cashing
My cycling website uses Amazon affiliate links for products (for those interested, read why I use Amazon affiliate links). The principle is simple: I link a product that I like, use and would recommend, people buy it from Amazon using that link, then Amazon pays me some percentage of the profit. It’s a win-win. Unless you are born in the wrong country – Serbia.
Digression: Apart from all the sanctions and wars during my growing up, being born and living in Serbia has many other benefits. One of those is that Amazon doesn’t offer direct wire-transfer of the money made through their affiliate program for Serbs. The neighbourhood is covered: Croatia, Romania, Hungaria… but we… we’re special! For Serbia, you have to wait to get at least 100$ on your account, then Amazon sends you the money – using a company check, to your name.
I asked if I could go some 60 miles north, to Hungary, open an account there and have the money directly transferred. They said it’s not allowed, the bank must be in my country of residence. “Company policy”.
Anyway, occasionally I get a company check from Amazon. Take it to the Banca Intesa. Then, the procedure used to be the following:
- I go to the bank. Wait for about 20 to 60 minutes for my turn at the register.
- Once my queue is up, I let a clerk scan the check. They run some background checks, while I wait. This takes about one hour.
- After the initial check is complete, I hand over the check, and wait.
- Then, after a “maximum of 45 days”, the money gets onto my account and I can spend it (with the above explained protections in place).
The problem is, those 45 days often last for 60, or 90 days. If I ask around, phone the banks support line. Generally, I have to spend quite some amount of quality time with the bank for them to finally let me have my money (again, with the above explained protections in place).
However, fortunately, they have modernized. In the next chapter, I’ll write about that.
4.6. Banca Intesa’s modernized company check cashing system
At the beginning of February 2020, I went with another Amazon check to cash it. Expecting to wait for about an hour after handing the check to a clerk. Then, to my delight, the clerk said: “Oh, we have changed and modernized our system, now you just let me scan the checks and go, we’ll phone you within a day, two at max, as soon as the initial checks of the check are done. Then you can come over and hand us the check for cashing.”
No calls. Some 15 days later, I went to the bank to see what’s going on. Waiting again for about an hour for my queue at the counter. Clerk then explained that they did send the check’s scan for checking, but didn’t get any confirmation. Saying they will re-scan it and re-send it for confirmation – calling me when it’s done, “within a day, or two”.
On the end of the second day, I sent an email to the bank, explaining the situation, chronologically and in detail. Some two weeks later, I got a reply, saying: “We have confirmed it’s a company check” (Really!? Wasn’t that clear from the start?). “You should go to our nearest branch, hand it over, then wait some 45 days for it to be cashed”.
Being patient and naive, I did exactly as they said. Went to the nearest branch, waited for my hour in the queue, then gave a clerk my check. The clerk said: “now we will scan the check, and phone you within a day, or two, once the initial checks are finished”.
Digression: have you seen the Groundhog Day?
I explained patiently to the clerk the whole situation. Let her read their own bank’s email I got (from my smartphone). She was very understanding, apologetic, but said her hands are tied by “the company policy” – until she gets the check’s check confirmation, she can’t take the check for cashing. And she hadn’t received any confirmation. Looking at the data on her computer, seeing the previous two occasions when the check requests for the check had been sent.
We both started laughing. I said that she needn’t do anything. I’ll try another bank. Doing business with the Serbian Banca Intesa only in case I have no other options.
4.7. Conclusion and my personal opinion
Staff at most Serbian Banca Intesa branches (the ones in Novi Sad at least) are very professional, pleasant and polite. With the company policy such that you are bound to spend a lot of quality time with them – whether you like it, or not. See, when a bank decides to screw you, they do it politely and tenderly. With a long foreplay.
You can go to another bank, of course. Unfortunately, there aren’t many banks in Serbia who cash checks in US dollars. Not many things work normally here, and there are very few competent people left in Serbia. Just earlier this week, a major public data processing company got hacked, with no backups and safety protocols in place (wrote on my IT website about the data breach and email security).
On the bright side, you get to train in patience, whether you want to, or not. I have lost mine with Banca Intesa, but don’t expect the things to be much better with any other Serbian bank. However, I’d feel really stupid to not at least give it a try, because the treatment I got at this bank was unacceptably poor in my opinion.
I have politely and patiently provided all the above written feedback to Banca Intesa’s customer feedback department (over emails). During the five year period I’ve been with them. They have had enough time to change – seems the change is only for the worse, at least in my experience. If anyone asks me about this bank, I’ll just copy-paste a link to this post, saving myself the time.
4.8. Hotel California update
You know the song: “…you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave…”
Today I decided to check out other banks. Fortunately, Novi Sad is rather flat and not very large. So I hopped on my bicycle and went for a small tour. I checked out every bank I could find:
- Komercijalna Banka – no
- AIK Banka – nope
- Sberbank – no
- Raiffeisen Bank -no
- Vojvođanska Banka – no
- Direktna Banka (didn’t know this bank existed, “Direct Bank”) – nope
- NLB – no
Update (never give up!): - UniCredit Banka – 25 USD commission if the check clears, 45 USD charge if it doesn’t. Must have a created account with the bank in order to do it. A rip-off, especially if a check gets “not cleared” (fails checking) for any reason, rather risky, but better than nothing.
- OTP Banka – no way
None of those banks cashes USD checks. Update: one seems to do it, with questionable commission policy.
4.9. What to do as an Amazon affiliate in Serbia?
As you can see, there is practically no way for me to cash any USD checks. Amazon offers payment in credits at their own shop. However, because of shipment costs and Serbian import taxes, if I order goods that cost around 100$ from Amazon.com (the US store), I’d eventually have to pay around 100$ extra for the shipment and taxes. So this is far from practical and it beats the point of using Amazon credits to shop from Serbia.
Now I’m considering contacting trustworthy cycling enthusiasts from the US, to see if I can buy some parts, tools, or bicycles, using my Amazon account funds, and have them shipped to their location, so they (the parts/tools/bikes) can be given to the people who are less well off, to be put to good use. Yes, I’d rather use the money to buy tools for my own bike service, but this also seems like a good thing to do.
I also sent a link to this literary jewel to Amazon, as an “associate feedback”, hoping they might re consider offering direct bank transfers for us in Serbia, like they did for the neighbourhood.
Serbian banks: from the people, for the people! ?
4.10. Card renewal
I get a call from the bank, explaining that “due to security issues, my card has been cancelled and I’ll be issued a new one, at bank’s expense, automatically”. With no further explanations of how, why etc. Can only suspect they had some sort of security breach. They also said I will be notified via a phone within 10 days time to come to their branch (of my choosing) to collect a new card.
About a month later, no call from the bank. So I call their customer service. After some 8 minutes of waiting for them to check, I get this reply: “you should go to your chosen branch and request a new card to be issued”. After my asking about the previous phone information that said it would be done differently (as explained in the previous chapter), they just replied: “sorry, but I really don’t know about that”.
And, so I went to the nearest branch, to personally ask for a new card to be issued. About an hour waiting time. Signed the papers. I needed to open a GBP account for cashing a company check in that currency. Well, that took some 30 more minutes waiting for a “consultant”. Waited, went, signed the papers.
As I was given a cardboard card, I asked about plastics, if they could at least coat it, so it doesn’t get damaged easily. They said the machine for that doesn’t work. Then I mentioned “your service quality has been rather poor in the past yea…” – politely and calmly. Didn’t finish, got an upset reply: “I must defend the bank, you know I have the authority to close all your accounts as an unwanted customer, why are you using our services?! Because no one else cashes international checks, you should be grateful, why don’t you transfer your salary account to our bank?!” and so on.
I did wait for the rant to finish, then calmly and politely explained why – their on-line paying application is poor and they charge for each bill payment even if done on-line, while the bank I use is the opposite of that. If it were otherwise, it would be more convenient for me to have it all in one bank.
Checking out Uni Credit bank reviews – rather poor (even worse than Banca Intesa) – and they are the only other bank claiming to cash USD (and GBP) checks. Until Amazon changes their policy, I guess I’m stuck with Banca Intesa, whether I like it or not. Unless the employee fulfills their threat – in which case I will have to go to Uni Credit bank (and keep my mouth shut ? ). Or give all the Amazon funds to charity – more and more seriously contemplating that option.
For now, I’ll try to cash the GBP check the next day. They explained those things can only be done in the morning. Noted.
In the mean time I called UniCredit bank to see about check cashing, account maintenance fees etc. In the late afternoon – no one answered. In the late morning on the next day – no one andwered. I expect their service quality to be similar, if not worse.
Went to Intesa bank to see about cashing the GBP check. Some 40 min. queue wait in front of the bank. Then they took the check to see if it can be cleared. Asking me to wait there, at the branch. 40 more minutes wait time as I’m writing this. Patience…
…aaaand – BOUNCE! ? I was told that there’s passed to much time since the check was issued and to “contact the check issuer”.
Apparently I was born (and still living) in the wrong country. ?
4.11. Updated conclusion and personal opinion
If I had any other, better choice, I’d take it. The way it is, I’m stuck with Intesa.
From what I could tell during the hours spent in the bank over the last few days, judging by how people working there look and talk to customers – they seem overworked, frustrated (hence a bit rude). I wouldn’t like to be working there (lots of people in queue, everyone nervous…).
Would I recommend this bank? No, if you have a choice – though most other Serbian banks are very similar (if not even worse). I’d recommend changing the country perhaps. ?
4.12. Moving on… sort of
Banca Intesa being practically the only bank in Serbia that cashes USD checks, I have no choice as far as that is concerned. But, for other accounts, I have decided to move on.
Raiffeisen bank is one I’ve had a savings account with for about 20 years, and a foreign currency current account for about 10. So I went there to open an account that allows for paying over them internetsses. My experience with Raiffeisen bank.