Excellence in leadership in CEE 2020: Santander Bank Polska

Santander has been one of the most innovative groups in the world in its response to the Covid-19 outbreak, and its Polish subsidiary is no exception. 

As the pandemic gathered pace in March, Santander Bank Polska, led by chief executive Michal Gajewski, quickly put together a comprehensive package of measures designed to support its employees, customers and wider society. 

Financial assistance for retail clients included a freeze on loan principal repayments for up to six months and free ATM withdrawals, while business customers benefited from free online accounting services, automatic overdraft extensions and the waiving of a range of account fees. 

Where Santander Bank Polska stood out, however, was in the non-financial help provided to customers struggling with the impact of lockdown and the pandemic. 

The lender conducted an extensive communication campaign encouraging customers to stay at home and educating them on digital banking, with a particular focus on senior citizens. Older customers who needed to visit branches were able to do so during dedicated opening hours.