ProCredit Bank has been synonymous with a reliable partner to the BiH economy for three decades, especially in the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) segment. Their commitment to developing sustainable solutions and supporting businesses in challenging economic conditions makes them unique in the market.
We spoke with Amina Durmo Trlin, a member of the Management Board of ProCredit Bank, about the key outcomes of the ProCredit Connect B2B Summit, held in October 2024, as well as about how ProCredit Bank builds strong relationships with its clients.
You recently organized the ProCredit Connect Regional B2B Summit, which attracted significant attention from entrepreneurs in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region. What would you highlight as the key outcomes of this event, and what impact do you expect on the long-term business opportunities for participants?
The Regional B2B Summit was designed as a platform for tangible business opportunities, and the results exceeded our expectations. In Sarajevo, we brought together 500 entrepreneurs from 12 countries, organized over 700 business meetings, and provided companies from various sectors with the chance to find partners and new market opportunities. This format not only encouraged networking but also enabled direct discussions on collaboration. We succeeded in our intention to create a strong platform for further economic growth in the region, which was particularly important to us.
Amina Durmo Trlin
According to information gathered from participants, the first business partnerships have already been established, while many are still in negotiations and are expected to finalize in the coming months. These figures confirm the summit’s importance for all participants, especially during challenging times, when such opportunities are key to connecting and developing business. For entrepreneurs from Bosnia and Herzegovina, we opened avenues for cooperation with new markets such as Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Romania, Moldova, Georgia, and Greece. This was an excellent opportunity for them to explore different business horizons and certainly expand their operations beyond the usual regional frameworks.
Given the complex economic environment, how would you assess the current challenges faced by Bosnian-Herzegovinian companies? In what ways does ProCredit Bank help overcome these obstacles?
The economy continues to face a series of challenges—from inflation and disrupted supply chains to a drop in industrial production in key export markets. Our focus remains on supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, as we believe they are the foundation of sustainable growth. By placing over BAM 400 million in loans in 2024, we have enabled support for working capital, investments, and renewable energy projects. Additionally, we expanded our guarantee line with the European Investment Fund, providing more favorable conditions for businesses.
Our goal is to enable entrepreneurs to access the resources that will ensure their competitiveness and expansion in local and regional markets. In addition to favorable credit lines, we provide technical support, suitable repayment terms, and quick transaction processing. Through free incoming international payments, ProCredit Bank has taken a concrete step in supporting export-oriented MSMEs by significantly reducing their costs.
ProCredit Bank is dedicated to supporting sustainability and the energy transition. Could you highlight key projects in this area?
We place particular emphasis on renewable energy projects, primarily solar power plants. So far, we have implemented over 200 projects that contribute to stable energy supply and strengthen the competitiveness of companies in regional and European markets. These projects are not only financially beneficial but also environmentally significant, which is ingrained in our identity. We will certainly continue developing tangible products that support the energy transition.
Besides working in the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises sector, how has ProCredit Bank positioned itself in terms of services for individuals?
Although we are traditionally known for working with MSMEs, we have recorded significant growth in retail banking. We have invested a great deal of effort in enhancing our services, improving digital channels, and introducing the “ProBaj” concept, designed to allow all clients to test our products and services free of charge before deciding to use them. Our dedication has yielded concrete results, and we are especially proud of a nearly 100% growth in deposits from this segment over the past two years. This clearly shows that citizens have recognized ProCredit Bank as an attractive, secure, and reliable financial partner.
How do you see the future of the banking sector in BiH, and what can we expect from ProCredit Bank in the coming year?
The banking sector must remain flexible and innovative, with an emphasis on further digitalization and sustainability. At ProCredit Bank, we continue to develop new services, improve our digital channels, and adapt to the needs of our clients.
Our goal is to simplify communication and make financial expertise available. Clients expect more from a bank; they want a partner who understands their specific needs and supports them at every stage of their business. ProCredit Bank has been delivering exactly that to its clients—consistently—for nearly three decades.
