With the publication of its financial results for the year 2019, Advanzia Bank, the European digital bank specialising in credit cards and payment solutions, reports another consecutive year of expansion and growth. The bank’s credit card portfolio increased by 18.7%, to 1.7 million active cardholders, with a gross loan balance of EUR 1.7 billion and profit before tax of EUR 95.9 million.

Growth through strategic acquisition

In 2019, Advanzia saw continued organic growth in all its core markets, a testament to the success of the bank’s core value proposition: offering credit card solutions to consumers and through partnership agreements with businesses and financial institutions. The acquisition and migration of Catella bank’s Capitol portfolio has seen Advanzia Bank move to the forefront as a specialised card issuer for financial institutions in Europe. The resulting product diversification and the launch of an issuing partnership with VISA ensures that Advanzia is strongly positioned to meet the needs of private banking clients going into 2020 and the future.

Organic growth and digital transformation

The bank’s product launch in Spain was a commercial success, with 42,000 new credit card customers at the end of 2019, confirming that “Tarjeta YOU” was well received in the market. Germany remains the bank's largest and most profitable market, with a gross loan balance of EUR 1.5 billion and 1.5 million “Gebührenfrei Mastercard Gold” customers. The bank's performance in France continued to be steady, with the “carte ZERO” total gross loan balance exceeding EUR 114 million. The bank's presence in Austria also saw stable growth in 2019 with a loan balance of nearly EUR 99 million for its “free Mastercard Gold” customers.

Roland Ludwig, CEO of Advanzia Bank, comments: “Alongside another year of exceptional organic growth together with the Capitol portfolio acquisition, Advanzia Bank also went through considerable change and transformation during the course of 2019. We have successfully implemented a scalable and state-of-the-art core banking system which will ensure operational excellence across various functions and services, and we have reached first crucial milestones in our digitalisation projects that are essential for the bank’s future growth.”

Prudent outlook due to coronavirus pandemic

Advanzia’s roadmap for 2020 shows a continuation of its digital transformation journey, with a focus on mobile payment solutions and the redesign of the omni-channel customer experience at the forefront of its strategic priorities. In light of the current coronavirus pandemic, Advanzia has prioritised operational stability and continued service excellence for its customers in all markets. The impending economic downturn will have an impact on card transaction volumes, as well as customer behaviour throughout 2020 and beyond.

Bengt A. Rem, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Advanzia Bank, adds:  “As a provider of credit cards and payment solutions, Advanzia Bank plays a key role in the payments ecosystem. We have a responsibility for our 1.7 million credit card customers, who are able to pay safely and securely, from their own homes or during necessary grocery shopping. In order to adequately manage risk and ensure business continuity, Advanzia is closely monitoring the macroeconomic indicators and will continue to adapt its marketing strategy and credit risk models.“

Download the Advanzia Bank Annual Report 2019 here.