Over 20 years Raiffeisen bank has been supporting the Sarajevo Film Festival, an event which attracts numerous guests from the country, region and the world. On this occasion we talked with Mr Karlheinz Dobnigg, Chairman of the Management Board of Raiffeisen bank who, among other things, gave us a brief overview of this co-operation, as well as Bank’s activities during this year’s SFF.

You have been supporting the Sarajevo Film Festival for more than 20 years. What can you tell us about the beginnings of this co-operation?

I am very pleased to say that we have special connections with the Sarajevo Film Festival as we cooperate since it’s verybeginnings. We have recognised the importance of this project more than two decades ago and in 2009 we became the main sponsor of the Festival. However, sponsorship is not the only thing that matters. Our cooperation had turned into a true friendship and a beautiful story which we have spent growing and developing alongside one another. SFF has become a leading Festival of this kind in the region and Raiffeisen Bank has become one of the leading financial institutions with strong market position during its 25 years of doing business in bh market. Additionally, the link between banking and the art is already a well-known concept globally and by following our sustainability strategy we strive to support those who enrich us and our local community.

In your opinion, what is the importance of the Sarajevo Film Festival?

This is the project which significantly contributes to a positive image of Bosnia and Herzegovina and has long ago developed beyond its borders. The Sarajevo Film Festival is one of the most distinguished film festivals in the region considering numerous visitors to the Festival involving also significant number of media representatives. We are especially glad that, during the Festival time, we have a chance to mingle with our customers in a less formal atmosphere and spend time together enjoying a unique festival environment. At the same time we are in the position to present novelties in our offer to our customers through various promotions.

Raiffeisen at the most attractive SFF location

Which product from offer of Raiffeisen bank would you specially mention? What are the novelties in your service range?

A novelty in our offer is a free of charge service -  Raiffeisen banking on Viber. It was created as a result of digitalisation trends and our effort to accommodate sophisticated customer requests by providing them innovative banking products that will simplify their dealings with the Bank. This makes us the first bank in the marketplace to have enabled its customers to use Viber for money transfers by following a few simple steps and selecting any person from their contact list. With this service, customers can receive money to their accounts in BiH, settle credit card obligations or make money transfers between card and demand deposit accounts in Raiffeisen bank or check their account balance and turnover.

Another feature we created this year is a customer-Bank communication via Raiffeisen Viber Chat.

That we are on the right path when it comes to digital banking channels additionally confirms the award from the Global Finance international magazine for the Best Digital Bank in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2017. 

What have you planned this year as a main sponsor of the Sarajevo Film Festival?

First of all, I am proud to say that the most attractive SFF location was named after Raiffeisen. This is the Raiffaisen Open Air cinema that offers a unique movie experience. Also, we have prepared many other interesting things. All visitors of the Raiffeisen Pavillion at the National Theatre Square will have an opportunity to learn more about our service Banking on Viber. For customers deciding to register for this service at the said Pavilion in the period from 12th to 17th of August, we have prepared movie tickets for Raiffeisen Open Air or other appropriate gift. Also, it has become a tradition for us to organise an event for our customers during the Sarajevo Film Festival.