Developer of regional vitality

OP ETELÄ-KARJALA IS A LOCAL BANK THAT PROMOTES THE DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMIC VITALITY AND EMPLOYMENT THROUGHOUT THE REGION WITH BUSINESS LOANS. ALL OF THE BANK’S OPERATIONS ARE INCREASINGLY TIED TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE.

OP Etelä-Karjala is part of the national OP Financial Group, Finland’s largest financial institution. As part of the Group, OP Etelä-Karjala has access to all necessary services, from payment traffic to asset management and insurance.

– As part of OP Financial Group, we also provide services in international exports, financing and foreign exchange hedging, for example. Our operations are not limited to the region of South Karelia, says Bank Manager Leo-Petteri Nevalainen.

OP Etelä-Karjala employs around 20 business support service professionals for businesses in the region. Nevalainen says that the company is heavily invested in the region.

– We have the resources to provide designated account managers for every major client. They channel all our clients’ service needs to teams staffed by experts in various fields. A single client can have as many as 80 different services in use.

All services by OP can be customised to the client’s needs. In this area, designated account managers play an important role.

– We always follow our clients’ wishes. Knowing the client’s business is important for us to provide the best solutions for everyone, thereby supporting the company’s own goals. We are also easy to reach, says Mira Kuutti, Director, Corporate Customers.

As a member of the Greenreality Network, OP Etelä-Karjala aims above all to increase awareness among businesses and customers in the region about the environmental and social responsibility of banks and sustainable business.

Banks increasingly have obligations that arise from the needs of sustainable development, such as when analysing credit portfolios or a client's financial situation.

– This way, we have the opportunity to support businesses that are involved in areas such as the circular economy, renewable energy and emissions reduction.” Socially responsible investing is also a rising trend. We offer a number of funds that invest businesses’ money responsibly, says Customer Relationship Manager Ville Soidinaho.