Commercial banks operating in Kosovo have expensive fees for banking services. Citizens consider excessively high fees while bank representatives say that the fees are changed in order to raise awareness of customers to use electronic services and reduce queues at bank counters.
Haki Salihu, Pristina, works as an accountant in a private firm. Due to the nature of the work, he often makes payments to some of the commercial banks. “I have current account in a commercial bank. If money gets stopped by the ATM 10 cents. I work as an accountant and must make payments to customers’ bills, provision ranges from 1 to 1.50 euros, depends on the amount of the payment. If the invoice is under 10 euros – to stop services 50 cents, and for the most amount payable 1 – 1:50. Is more expensive than normal, “said Salihu.
These various services in developed countries offered free. But in Kosovo to pay any bill necessary, tariffs start from two euros in some banks, if you are not a customer of the relevant institution, while in some other bank services may end up with one euro, 0.70 euro respectively.
Bukurije Miftari, shows how in one of the commercial banks, has been asked to pay two euros provision for a payment of invoice. “I asked two euro provision for the necessary bill. Payment is not made, because it is very expensive, “said Miftari.
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Emira Polloshka, is a student at the University of Prishtina. She says fees vary from bank to bank, so the bank chooses where payments are cheaper. “Commercial banks of these survive. But now they have grown even more fees. Usually choose the bank where the fees are cheaper, “said Polloshka.
On the other hand, officials of some commercial banks in the country, saying that only fees for services have changed.
This according to them is to reduce the use of cash and used electronic services, such as ATM and e-banking.
Iliriana Tahiraj, official media and public relations at Raiffeisen Bank in Pristina, clarifies that the bank has made some difference in fees for services performed in bank branches and other services that could be realized between electronic service. “This is done so that more targeted customers right to use electronic services, as these services are more easily used by customers. And of course that is more favourable in terms that saves time, but also will benefit the most favourable rates than if the same service branch performs “writes Tahiraj.
An almost identical response to Radio Free Europe had earlier given ProCredit Bank officials. ProCredit Bank to its clients also offers promotional rates through various banking packages. The Bank has repeatedly and attempts to formalize the economy and reduce cash in circulation.
They say the bank has continuously invested in technology and banking more convenient banking today ProCredit Bank can be done by computer, phone, ATM and other alternative ways.
However, experts in financial matters, consider that banking fees are high, but it can be used by banks, because financial institutions in the country are free to determine the price and interest rate products.
