BCR ATM network reaches 580 units

The BCR’s (Banca Comerciala Romana) cash dispenser network amounted to 1,530 units at the end of the first quarter, up 13% compared with the end of March 2007, while the number of Points of Sale climbed to 13,085, almost 21% more than in the same time last year. The bank also opened 18 banking units, after the territorial network reached 580. The number of BCR employees fell slightly against the end of 2007 and reached 9,638, given that many of them accepted other jobs in the bank; therefore major layoffs were not required. However, Erste still aims to cut 8,200 jobs by the end of this year, after the BCR completed the centralisation process of the main back office, risk management and support structures in the first quarter of the year. Additionally, it implemented new centralised processes for credit approval. The number of active cards reached around 2.4 million, compared with 2.32 million at the end of last year, most of which are debit cards.