Code of Trust: What solutions for IT professionals are offered by Credit Agricole?

According to the Ministry of Digital Transformation, 533 service companies and 1701 product ones operate in Ukraine. In the wake of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian IT industry encountered numerous challenges. With a view to support the growth of IT and private entrepreneurs, Credit Agricole launched the Code of Trust project. It is a comprehensive solution helping the IT professionals and companies to do business effectively. It simultaneously meets the individual needs of developers, accountants and business owners in Ukraine and abroad. We talked with the project team and learned about opportunities for IT business offered by the Code of Trust.

From idea to reality

“Even before the full-scale war, the IT industry was among the core development vectors for Credit Agricole. In France, where Credit Agricole originates from, this business area is quite evolved. There, the bank has its in-house accelerator Le Village that makes significant investments in innovations, helping the young companies grow. As of now, over EUR 1 million has been invested in various start-ups. We strive to offer comprehensive support to IT sector in Ukraine as well”, — says Yuliana Krupa, head of International corporate business of IT industry unit.

Yuliana Krupa, head of International corporate business of IT industry unit

Following the launch of remote services, private entrepreneurs can quickly and easily start cooperation with the bank from anywhere in the world. To expand, this means online on-boarding and opening a card for personal needs remotely via the CA+ mobile app in four minutes.

“Credit Agricole has simplified the current account opening procedure for private entrepreneurs. There is no need to come to an outlet, everything can be done online. You fill out a questionnaire online, undergo the remote verification and sign the agreement with “Diia.Signature” or another QES. The entire process takes up to 30 minutes, — shares Ruslan Zachepa, Director of Commercial Sector at Credit Agricole.

Ruslan Zachepa, Director of Commercial Sector at Credit Agricole.

Anna Nedashkovska of the Premium Banking Department recounts that the launch of the virtual card opened many doors for customers:
“The Digital card in the CA+ mobile app has all the functions of a regular plastic card, but it can be opened remotely in just four minutes. In the wartime, going to the bank in person is not always feasible. This digital solution has enabled customers to fully use the banking services both in Ukraine and overseas: pay for purchases, buy foreign currency, open deposits, etc. The premium card by Credit Agricole and NFC ATMs enable our customers to withdraw cash abroad at no additional cost. Now, if our customers so prefer, we can also deliver plastic cards to their doorsteps all over the world."

Anna Nedashkovska, Chief expert of Direct Sales of Premium Banking Development Department

Code of Trust came to fruition following the search for solutions to address the new challenges. It is a comprehensive holistic solution for IT customers including those who moved abroad, relocated to another region and are in need of straightforward and streamlined interface for their financial affairs. Online on-boarding, card delivery worldwide, internet banking CA+ Pro, developed for PEs and round-the-clock support enabled the customers to enjoy the equivalent service level without the need to go to bank outlets.

Virtual personal account anywhere in the world

“Three Ukrainian IT hubs (Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv) currently function as specialized outlets to serve IT customers. We have 127 outlets in Ukraine in total where you can talk to your manager in person. Likewise, Code of Trust enables customers to efficiently resolve all of their issues remotely”, — adds Petro Palamar, Product Manager of the Digital unit.

Petro Palamar, Product Manager of the Digital unit

СА+ Pro, the improved internet banking was developed by the bank specifically with PEs in mind. It has got the Multi-client function that allows delegating roles, in particular to an accountant, and select the appropriate access rights for users.

“IT pros are very demanding users, we created CA+ Pro to address their needs. It is a convenient internet banking for entrepreneurs with intuitive interface and enjoyable design. It is a convenient solution both for accountants rendering services to one PE and for financial units of companies tasked with maintaining accounts for 20-30 entrepreneurs. The “Import Payment” function saves time on filling out and signing the reports for every PE. We also envision implementing the enhanced “Export Payments”. Thus, we will integrate the personal account with accounting systems, minimizing the manual settings and reducing time to input the identical data”, — shares further plans with us Petro.

“Through СА+ Рго, customers also get a qualified electronic signature certificate, which saves time and allows transition to electronic document flow. The IT pros are sure to find the OneSwift service helpful. It is a convenient way to credit remuneration to developers from a non-resident company”, — tells us Anna.

In the period of prolonged blackouts, when the working day was limited by the laptop battery charge, such solutions would be a great time-saver. Now they are giving access to the tool to manage finances regardless of location. You will have access to your bank and the necessary services across various devices: on your smartphone, tablet or laptop.

The СА+ Pro app and the electronic digital signature in one’s personal account fully automate the processes, for which Europeans still go to a bank outlet and talk with their manager.

Round-the-clock support and cultivating the IT community

“The Code of Trust project combines two key concepts – code as the main tool of the IT industry and trust as the foundation of any banking relationship. These values are part of our human-oriented approach, when each of our customers is assigned a personal manager. Customers are able to rely on us even in case of non-standard situations, we are available 24/7 to provide professional expertise, help solve financial issues while considering our cooperation history and specifics of the customer’s activities. No artificial intelligence or the most advanced digital technology are complete without the human intervention”, — explains Ruslan.

Primarily the project implementation is dedicated to cultivating strong connections between the prominent industry players. The Code of Trust team initiates networking events, cooperates with IT clusters and leading technical universities. As an example, joint events and collaboration with Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and Kharkiv National University of Economics inspired the team to organize specialized meetups for the youth and even create an exclusive product for future IT pros.

What’s next?

“Among our customers there are companies from the list of the 50 biggest IT businesses of Ukraine. We have people’s trust, which means we are moving in the right direction. With the IT, we share our ambition for innovation, desire to do good, to do business transparently and together support the country’s economy and society”, — proclaims Yuliana.

The Code of Trust example is proof that Ukrainian experience of implementing the modern technological solution can interest the international companies. The advanced banking industry in Ukraine creates comfortable and safe work environment for all market players. The project team is confident that with stories like that the country’s economy will overcome all the challenges and create the favourable conditions to encourage all Ukrainians to come back home from abroad.