SME at a glance: expert views on the news. Episode 5 with Slawomir Koziol
In the newest podcast series, SME at a glance: Expert views on the news, Efma’s SME Banking Program Director Lukas Dzuroska interviews SME Experts from all over the world. The two take a look at the most recent news in the world of SME banking and Lukas' guests provide their expert POV on how and why these things are happening.

In the very first episode of 2021, Lukas has invited Slawomir Koziol to talk about recent news from SME industry.
Below are some of the highlights:
- Alliance Bank Malaysia - As a result of introducing BizSmart® Mobile app in 2020 the bank’s online transactions increased by approximately 30-40% and customers were more willing to sign up for online banking to perform their transactions.
- Desjardins Canada – following the COVID-19 lockdown, the bank quickly moved to implement temporary relief measures to make a difference for their SME clients - in areas such as financing, credit cards, group insurance, and commercial vehicle insurance, but as well the non-financial services.
- Danske Bank has laid off 257 employees and concluded voluntary redundancy terms with a further 261 staff as part of a two-year strategic overhaul.
- ABN Amro is to slash its workforce by 15% and sell its head office in an effort to cut costs.