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Interview with Tjeerd Rienstra in Russian Post Magazine
Mr Rienstra, you are the head of a big
company which offers international payment
services to post offices and banks. What
questions and problems is the company fac-
ing at the moment?
The main task of our company is to be a
bridge between post offices, banks and
other companies and to be a tool which
helps them to increase their share on the
international payment services market. The
challenge is that these companies are very
different. They differ by many parameters
– starting with the technology they use and
operational methods and finishing by the
products they offer, partnership connections
and freedom of operating.
At the moment, we concentrate our efforts on
expanding the business to even the distant
corners of the world, as well as on developing
the most important services nowadays, such
as interaccount transfers and cash-to-cash
transfers in any currency and on any given
conditions.
The Eurogiro Company was established in
1993 by 12 European post operators. Today
dozens of post offices are using the system.
Are you planning to start cooperation with
Post Russia?
The possibility of giving our users the access
to the system of Post Russia would be very
important to our members, not least because
of the numeral commercial connections
between Russia and the countries using
Eurogiro. The common principles of post
offices with long traditions of interaction make
our mutual cooperation possible. I am sure
that Post Russia and Eurogiro will benefit
from this kind of cooperation. There is a big
commercial potential in implementing inter-
national payments to and from Russia.
Taking into consideration its huge market I
am sure Post Russia could find effective and
standardized solutions which will ensure big
volumes of money transfers.
Today post offices in the whole world suc-
cessfully expand their financial activity offer-
ing banking services to their clients. Russia
also plans to create a Federal post bank.
What possibilities will such a bank give to
Post Russia?
Post office as a brand is trusted by most
of the Russian population. This fact alone
will open huge possibilities. Post offices
can become excellent providers of services
and attractive partners to other members of
Eurogiro, including post operators of other
countries. Post operators which are not ca-
pable of direct transfers with other post of-
fices or which are not cooperating with non
postal companies will face problems. I am
sure that it’s extremely important for them
to be able to offer banking services. There
is no doubt that Eurogiro members would
benefit if Post Russia joined the club.
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6 Eurogiro News
Eurogiro CEO was invited to give an interview in the issue No. 8-9 (90-91) 2011 – here is an extract
from the interview
Deutsche Postbank breaks 5 million mark for checking accounts
Deutsche Postbank broke the 5 million mark with its private customers’ checking accounts. As a
result, the bank further extended its leading position. Its market share is now 5.2%. As Germany’s
first large nationwide bank, Postbank introduced a no-fee checking account in 1998. The account
became a model for success
To celebrate the new record, the Bank raffled off
25 Fiat 500s to its checking account customers.
On November 15, the customer who opened
the 5 millionth checking account was surprised
to be presented with an additional Fiat 500
at Postbank’s head office. The lucky winner
accepted the car keys directly from Postbank's
Retail Banking director, Michael Meyer and
Branch Sales Director, Hans-Peter Schmid.
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A 49 year-old customer from Saxony-
Anhalt (third from left) opened the 5
millionth private checking account.
Postbank thanked him for opening the
record-breaking account with a Fiat 500.
Management Board members Hans-
Peter Schmid (far left) and Dr. Michael
Meyer (second from left) handed over
the keys. His partner (fourth from left)
celebrated with the happy winner