Initiatives for innovation

We also focus on finding new solutions for our Customers based on the idea of platformisation and creating innovative products and services which support sustainable development. The new Innovation Ecosystem is in close cooperation with the Sustainability Council and its Chief Sustainability Officer. The goal is to devise new products and services that support sustainable development, and which have a positive impact on the environment and on Customer habits. 

In 2018, BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A. was the first Bank in Poland to publish a Code of Cooperation with Startups – a set of changes facilitating the Bank’s cooperation with new companies. Startups which wish to implement their solutions can do it much faster and more efficiently in cooperation with experts from the Bank and under the care of an expert-mentor. The Code simplifies the purchase process for new technological solutions and proposes new document templates for testing. The Code of Cooperation with Startups develops the Bank’s business relationships with innovative, young companies. 

To find out more, visit: https://www.bnpparibas.pl/startupy/kodeks-wspolpracy 

Office Hours are meetings of the Bank’s representatives with startups. Their goal is the search for innovative ideas and solutions that can enrich the Bank’s offer. Office Hours are a part of the Code of Cooperation with Startups, which simplifies our internal procedures in order to facilitate the acquisition of modern technological solutions. Office Hours provide an opportunity for the Bank to cooperate with an increasing number of startups, build a strong network of contacts and find innovative solutions which can be useful to our Clients. 

So far, 17 editions of Office Hours have taken place, and the Bank’s experts have analysed over 800 solutions, 17 of which have been implemented (e.g. the EVA chatbot in cooperation with SentiOne). Four framework agreements have also been signed. 

At the end of 2020, we announced the 18th edition of Office Hours. The bank is looking for a startup, an experienced company or an enterprise product that will help with the safe and simple collection, processing and use of data on the behaviour of the users of our mobile application. Thus, the Bank will be able to select appropriate and valuable products and services.  

In 2020, we implemented the Migam system to support deaf and hard of hearing Customers in bank branches and on our hotline. In each branch, there are tablets with the Migam application. By clicking on an appropriate icon on the desktop, an advisor is automatically connected with a sign language interpreter. Thus, the Customer can learn about the details of the Bank’s offer and ask questions. The service can also be launched on the Client’s private phone by scanning a QR code on the door to the branch. If problems arise, a Bank adviser is always available to help. The implementation was supported by the DEAF RESPECT Foundation, which carried out an audit of the Migam technology from the perspective of the needs of people with hearing disabilities. Customers with a hearing disability can also use the Booksy application to arrange a meeting at the Bank: they simply need to choose a sign language meeting (such an option was added to the application) and indicate the branch they want to visit. Such a solution reduces the stress resulting from the need to initiate interactions at the branch. The application has added a ‘hands’ icon next to the photos of branches which are adapted to the needs sign language users. In May 2020, the Bank was the first in the world to introduce the option. From November 2020, appointments for meetings with our advisers can be made not only by phone or in the Booksy app, but also via the Bank’s website.  

The EVA chatbot is a tool based on the latest technologies. Its purpose is to streamline purchases and internal orders. The EVA Chatbot is the first self-learning program implemented at the bank. It was developed in cooperation with the SentiOne company and launched in the form of a simple and intuitive application. Thanks to the use of artificial intelligence, the program learns quickly and the number of questions asked translates into the quality and speed of answers. The goal is for EVA to become the first choice for employees who have questions regarding internal purchases. With the chatbot, employees can quickly and easily ask for orders, submit appropriate applications and order office supplies. The Bank is considering the introduction of further AI solutions in other areas of its activity. 

BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A. won the 6th edition of the Purchase Leader competition in the ‘technological innovation’ category. The jury recognised the Eva chatbot. The Purchase Leader competition is organised by Polish Supply Management Leaders, an NGO which represents the interests of Polish supply chain, logistics and purchase managers. It promotes good business practices and supports the development of competences and human resources. 

In cooperation with Alior Bank and PKO Bank Polski (jointly representing approx. 30% of the Polish banking sector’s assets), we invested in Autenti – a Polish fintech which has developed a platform for electronic signatures and digital document circulation. This joint initiative of multiple banks was the first of its kind in the Central and Eastern European region. The closed round of financing amounted to PLN 17 million. Autenti investors are open to cooperation with the banking community, which could support the creation of a Polish standard for the remote signing of documents and digital document circulation, and thus to the development of environmentally friendly solutions. 

As the Bank of Green Changes, we care about the environment in every part of our operations. Therefore, in cooperation with Autenti, we have implemented e-signatures on a self-service platform. The platform can be employed by Bank Customers, but also by employees in internal procedures. The bank can send documents electronically and Customers can sign them online, using a smartphone, tablet or computer (an account on the platform is not required).  

For details about the implementation of the Autenti e-signature at our bank, see the Environmental Responsibility chapter. 

More information on the implementation of startups at BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A. can be found at: https://www.bnpparibas.pl/startupy/nasze-wdrozenia  

BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A. is a member the Ecosystem of Positive Impact at the Kozminski Business Hub. In 2019, the first „Positive Impact Startups Report” was published and was received with great interest. In 2020, the second edition of the Report was published: „Startups of Positive Impact. Radical Social Innovation”. As in the previous year, the Bank supported its publication.  

The Report included: 

• 140 descriptions of startups with a positive impact on 10 Polish industries, accompanied by an analysis of trends 
• 16 detailed case studies of the most interesting startups and their social challenges, with a description of the business model and social impact 
• statements of 36 experts 
• the list of 6 winners in the „Scaleup of Positive Impact” category in 2020 
• list of 14 winners in the „Startup of Positive Impact” category in 2020  

The report is accompanied by a database of about 400 Polish startups with a positive impact. For more information, visit: http://raportspw.kozminskihub.com/  

A startup of positive impact is an innovative form of entrepreneurship. Its aim is to solve significant social challenges. The people behind such endeavours are passionate about acting for the common good, are able to increase the value of their organisation, improve the quality of people’s lives and contribute to the protection of the natural environment within their sphere of influence. Startups of positive impact create valuable technological innovations witch contribute to sustainable development. Simultaneously, they display a high level of organisational reliability and guarantee the effectiveness and usefulness of their products or services. 

BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A. became a platinum partner of the largest technology conference in Central Europe – Info Share 2020. The Bank shared its experiences of a digital transformation in the times of the pandemic. Its representatives talked about the Bank’s cooperation with the Autenti and Booksy startups which resulted in the creation of innovative solutions. In addition, they explained the new stage in the development of mobile applications, including applications supported by Artificial Intelligence. 

We are a partner of fintech postgraduate studies at the Faculty of Management of the University of Warsaw. The 12-month postgraduate studies are addressed to those who want to broaden their knowledge about modern technologies and about the impact of fintechs on the financial sector, as well as to those who are starting their own fintech projects. The lecturers include many respected experts and practitioners of the financial market, including Paulina Skrzypińska, coordinator of the Innovation Lab Team at our Bank. PwC Legal is a content-related partner of the initiative. Other partners include: Alior Bank, IBM, S&P Global Ratings, Forum, FinAi, AsiaKredit, AsiaCollect, Trust and CredoLab. Bank employees can enrol at a special price. 

In 2020, BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A. established the New Business Models and Innovations Department. The Department’s goal is to create a supportive environment for the development of products, innovations and technical advancements in the Personal Finance Area. Its responsibilities include: 

• identifying new business models, 
• assessment of their potential and possibility of implementation, 
• taking initiative in projects devoted to the development of new products, 
• incubation and development of new products. 

The Department also cooperates with the Bank’s Transformation and Integration Department and the BNP Paribas Personal Finance central units. The cooperation encompasses new products, promoting PF innovation and related positioning. The Department looks for interesting solutions, tracks market trends and proposes processes and Personal Finance products that are interesting from the Bank’s perspective. Key areas of interest: 

• Open banking
• New products
• Sharing economy

• Mobility
• Circular economy
• Energy transition

• Ecology
• Consumption trends