HypoVereinsbank is supporting colleagues’ work-life balance by opening a daycare centre in Munich.

Bavaria’s shortage of childcare places makes it challenging for colleagues to balance their work and family life. The bank’s innovative day care centre, operated with Dussmann KulturKindergarten GmbH, bridges the gap by providing childcare spots for 36 children aged three months to three years.

Housed in a distinctive circular building with a rooftop garden, the centre is a protected, inspiring and trafficfree environment where children can play and relax.

The new centre is part of a broader offering that supports a sustainable, family-friendly corporate culture, such as flexible care options for elderly or dependent relatives and children, and a Parents4Parents network for parents to connect and exchange ideas.

UniCredit Bank is giving clients in the Czech Republic an easier way to interact with key public and private services, from submitting tax returns to getting a prescription. Bank iD is a new app allowing people to verify their identity using the same credentials across a range of applications.

Bank iD is a secure mobile identity checker that integrates with the online portals of many government services, authorities, health and insurance providers and private companies.

It allows customers to verify their identity via our smart banking app using their normal UniCredit pin code, fingerprint or Face ID, and then log into a third-party service in the usual way.

To activate Bank iD, UniCredit Bank clients just need an active online bank account, smart key activation and the latest version of our banking app.

A range of useful public and private sector services can be accessed with Bank iD:

> submitting tax returns

> checking the validity of personal documents

> accessing the vehicle registry

> viewing property records

> accessing the Citizen Portal

> checking pension details

> obtaining e-prescriptions

> applying for housing or family subsidies

> changing health insurance provider

> registering with a doctor

> signing contracts with mobile operators or energy suppliers

> signing rental agreements

> signing employment contracts or work-related document

> signing enrolment agreements for studies.

Bank iD continues to integrate with other services and is becoming one of the most popular methods of online identification – a clear example of UniCredit providing simple solutions for clients and supporting the broader needs of the communities in which we operate.

‍

Discover more

The famous America’s Cup set sail with UniCredit on board for the first time as its Global Partner and Global Banking Partner, reflecting our belief in teamwork and relentlessly pursuing success. UniCredit also sponsored the inaugural UniCredit Youth America’s Cup Regatta, enabling us to support young people’s sailing talent and promote sustainable development.

Our overall sponsorship served as a platform to engage and inspire existing and future client relationships. We reserved spaces for clients on a dedicated boat to watch the races. 20 UniCredit structures included a stand where we welcomed 50,000 visitors and a photo booth that racked up 10,000 360° video experiences.

We didn’t miss the opportunity to engage with colleagues, including 70 who exemplified teamwork in the project team. We offered free hospitality passes for the AC37 Preliminary Regatta in Vilanova i la Geltrú, near Barcelona, so our people could experience the event first-hand.

We also had a stand at the Race Village at the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup and Puig Women’s Cup, with engaging activities for colleagues.

“We are proud to be partnering with an event that showcases talent and prioritises environmental and sustainable practices. This is fully aligned with UniCredit’s Strategy.”

Andrea Orcel

UniCredit Group CEO

‍

Read the article for more information

Listen to the podcast: 37th America's Cup: What makes us perfect partners?

UniCredit has moved from a top-heavy, centralised organisation to a leaner, faster and more effective structure, with a significant reduction in organisational complexity.

This transformation is down to our focus on simplification. We do it by applying a “blank sheet approach” to everything we do – across all countries and functions. We question every process from scratch, ensuring that we focus on what truly adds value.

In Italy, we’ve successfully applied this approach and redesigned consumer lending process, and in doing so we created a Group benchmark and a common new way of working.

Today, 95% of consumer loans in Italy are processed in this new, efficient and faster way. Clients are experiencing a faster experience with quicker loan approval - from over 24 hours to just 25 minutes - in a redesigned and a seamless journey, consistent across all channels.

Our people are reducing their task load to focus on higher-value and client-facing activities. Our business is benefiting from lower operating costs and high scalability across segments and countries, and our shareholders are enjoying the benefits of our improved performance.

UniCredit has launched a new advisory service for high net worth clients, combining advanced portfolio analysis methodologies with the expertise of UniCredit’s investment strategy experts.

My Advisory leverages on a newly developed platform designed to help Bankers identify clients’ needs and share with them tailored investment proposals, supported by advanced portfolio and risk analysis.

With its multichannel approach, My Advisory combines traditional and digital channels, ensuring clients can count on the personal attention of their Banker, while monitoring their financial assets remotely.

Furthermore, the new platform allows clients to receive complete and detailed reporting, both periodic and on-demand, allowing them to monitor the performance of investments in a timely, simple and intuitive way.

The result is a service that stands out for its quality, customised reporting and tailor-made investment advisory.

UniCredit firmly believes that investing in financial education for women generates long-term benefits and boosts the sustainable development of communities and social inclusion.

We used International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8 March to launch a month-long series of initiatives in Italy aimed at bridging the gender gap and raising women’s financial literacy levels.

An IWD open day for women in over 100 branches of the bank throughout Italy kicked off our women’s financial advisory month. Over 30,000 customers were invited to complete a wealth questionnaire to determine their personal requirements around financial planning, wealth management and insurance.

A woman’s goals and financial needs change throughout her life, and her investment strategy can adapt to reflect this.

Our wealth questionnaire helps us provide our female clients with the tools and information they need for a profitable and flexible investment strategy over time, via a transparent approach to consciously manage their assets and provide long-term oversight of their finances.

In March 2024, we launched a new Employer Value Proposition (EVP) – Unlock a Better Tomorrow – to fit our Strategy and Purpose.

We want our existing and future employees to unlock their fullest potential at UniCredit – attracting and retaining individuals who embody our Values of Integrity, Ownership and Caring.

Our ambitions and commitments include guaranteeing equal opportunities for all colleagues, supporting our people’s personal growth and wellbeing, nurturing a positive and inclusive working environment, and leveraging our unique international footprint. By encouraging and inspiring everyone at UniCredit, we will drive innovation and create better solutions for all our clients, helping us to achieve business success.

Our EVP is built on four pillars:

> Accelerators of ambition – we are focused on keeping our clients at the centre and unlocking the potential of our people as individuals and as professionals. We are a better bank, delivering better outcomes for our stakeholders. Collectively, we are building the bank for Europe’s future.

> Champions of diversity – we are fostering an inclusive environment that has no ceiling, with no limit to how high and far our team can go. As a Group, we provide a diverse and dynamic international experience that only a pan-European bank such as UniCredit has to offer.

> Challenge seekers and changemakers – in our team we have talented, dedicated and openminded individuals who challenge the status quo. They deliver digital innovation that inspires; they push boundaries and strive to set a new benchmark for banking. There is no telling what we might do next.

> Drivers of sustainable change – Sustainability is in our DNA. We are rebuilding our communities and economies for the better and keeping ESG at the forefront of everything we do. We care about creating a cleaner, greener future for our people, our communities and Europe’s next generation.

To recognise and celebrate the contributions and achievements of our people as champions of our EVP, we’ve launched the UniCredit Storytellers initiative. This advocacy programme features our colleagues as the voice of our Bank, showcasing their UniCredit journeys and giving a glimpse into life at UniCredit.

Discover more

Small companies are the backbone of many economies, so we must create innovative banking initiatives to support their growth. In Slovenia, we launched an exclusive pre-approved loan service for smaller clients.

UniCredit Bank Slovenija selects companies with a solid strategy, clear vision and an excellent credit rating. The bank’s advisers then offer them pre-approved credit when opening and using a transaction account with a small business package.

Using targeted communications and repeated contact, the bank has retained its existing customers and attracted new ones, increasing business volumes by meeting individual customer needs.

Together with the UniCredit Foundation (UCF), UniCredit Bank Austria now provides long-term financial support for an outstanding education project in Vienna’s most culturally and linguistically diverse district.

The bank supports two projects by the CAPE 10 social and health facility in Favoriten – an Education Academy and a Hobby Lobby education initiative. Its €600,000 contribution is part of our drive to promote equal educational opportunities for children and young people.

"UniCredit Bank Austria is making a sustainable financial contribution to this outstanding project. The CAPE 10 initiative is paving the way for young people to complete school. With the Education Academy, it offers students in Vienna a low-threshold free learning and education programme as an important supplement to the regular curriculum. The aim is to provide equal educational opportunities for all children and young people in a culturally and linguistically diverse district.”

Ivan Vlaho,  UniCredit Bank Austria CEO

In May 2024, we published our Statement on Natural Capital and Biodiversity. This new statement represents UniCredit’s first comprehensive Natural Capital Framework, in which biodiversity and climate issues are interconnected.

Alongside our Net Zero targets and Transition Plan, our Natural Capital Framework also considers the circular economy as a key lever for change. We have already addressed nature-related issues, including adopting the Equator Principles and publishing policies on sensitive sectors alongside commitments on human rights.

Our first step for our Natural Capital Framework was to evaluate sources, methodologies and frameworks to effectively address key challenges related to biodiversity and nature, in coherence with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

We then developed a sector-level heatmap of our loan portfolio, to assess which sectors are most exposed to nature-related risks by gauging their impact on nature.

Finally, we have set up a specific training programme to build awareness around the emergent topics of biodiversity and nature, which will be available to all employees in 2025.

We engage with the circular transition by integrating circular economy considerations into our business operations, alongside climate-related initiatives. We were the first Italian bank to have signed up to the Finance for Biodiversity Pledge (FfBP),calling for and committing to taking ambitious action on biodiversity to reverse nature loss in this decade through collaboration, engagement and assessing our own biodiversity impact.

In addition, we are a member of the Working Group on Nature within the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), related to Principles for Responsible Banking(PRB). We are the only Italian bank to have contributed, together with 34 international banks, to the publication of the ‘PRB Nature Target Setting Guidance’, which aims to help the banking sector align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Frame work and halt biodiversity loss.

‍

Download the PDF for more information

buddy is a complementary, not an alternative, service model to the physical one. Customers can choose where, how, and when to be served, with the same service level.

In September, UniCredit presented buddy to customers in Bologna during the group-stage Davis Cup finals, which also took place in Manchester, Valencia and Zhuhai. We also stayed close to customers in Bologna when the final eight teams played in November.

Several other initiatives since buddy’s launch, such as Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships and local projects related to universities, have underlined the focus on innovation, and commitment to stay close to our territories.

“With buddy as Official Banking Partner of the Davis Cup we confirm our commitment to promote sport as a powerful means of inclusion and personal growth, encouraging the development of the communities and territories in which we operate.”

Annalisa Areni

Head of Client Strategies at UniCredit in Italy

Read the article for more information

‍

UniCredit has played a pivotal role in structuring the finance for the transfer of TIM Group’s NetCo business to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. LP (KKR) – including a huge liability management operation that allows TIM to compete more effectively in its key Italian markets.

Earlier, in April, we supported TIM in the closure of the sale of NetCo, acting as bookrunner, mandated lead arranger, documentation bank and facility agent for a financing term loan of €1.5 billion with an 18 month maturity.

We also acted as joint lead manager for one of the largest liability management operations ever carried out in Italy, and the largest carried out in Europe for a corporate issuer. This was for a €5.5 billion equivalent "par-to-par" exchange to enable a significant portion of TIM bonds to be contributed to NetCo.

The operation allows TIM to adopt a new business model that will enable the Group to compete more effectively in the Consumer and Enterprise markets in Italy, thanks to a greater focus on industrial and commercial components and a solid financial structure.

UniCredit has entered into a binding agreement to acquire the entire share capital of Belgium’s Aion Bank and its digital partner Poland’s Vodeno for around €370 million. The acquisition will amplify our digital capabilities with next-generation, scalable and flexible cloud-based banking technology, without depending on third-party core banking providers.

The companies include banking-as-a-service products via Vodeno’s cloud platform and 200 engineers, developers, and data scientists who can help us innovate and develop a seamless offering for clients. It will allow UniCredit to embed financial solutions directly into the customer journeys of fintechs, retailers, e-commerce marketplaces, banks and technology providers, and to pursue new, targeted client segments and European market expansion.

Read the article for more information

‍

The UniCredit Foundation advanced its mission to Empower Europe’s Next Generation by launching the UCF Edu-Fund Platform with a total commitment of €14 million.

The initiative seeks to foster quality education and promote regional growth by engaging community stakeholders, contributing to a more equitable future. It supports multidimensional projects focused on the academic challenges young people face in countries where we operate. Examples include preventing school dropouts, addressing inadequate educators’ skills, encouraging university education and improving employability for students aged 11 to 19.

The initiative is open all year round. Its funding pool offers three streams of funding opportunities, ranging from €100,000 to over €1 million, to non-profits across Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

The entities must have a comprehensive background in fostering quality education, regional development, and an inclusive response to their communities’ educational needs. The initiative seeks to foster quality education and promote regional growth by engaging community stakeholders, contributing to a more equitable future.‍

Read the article for more information‍

The launch of UniCredit for Central and Eastern Europe has brought €2 billion of tailored financing to help micro and small enterprises become more competitive, including third sector organisations.

UniCredit for CEE brings concrete financial, accounts management and advisory solutions to small businesses across the CEE region, helping them grow and transition to more sustainable business practices.‍

Finance

60 different finance solutions were made available during 2024, including targeted programmes in specific markets to support innovation, digitalisation, competitiveness and sustainability. Local programmes for certain economic sectors such as agriculture, tourism or exporters were also made available.

In four markets, subsidised credit facilities for microbusinesses will support new companies with financing solutions, including digital payments and financial education.

Accounts management

In some markets and under certain conditions, fee-free periods are offered to third sector organisations and newly onboarded clients.‍

Advisory

We support micro, small and SME clients as they transition towards more sustainable business models. 13 ESG financing programmes help clients invest in sustainable practices and green technologies.

Read the article for more information

UniCredit has launched its new UNA App in Bosnia and Herzegovina, simplifying everyday business processes and providing a faster service for customers.

Our customers enjoy 1.6 times faster interactions with the system, thanks to a user-friendly interface and streamlined features. We estimate that some business process tasks in the new application will run 40% faster, helping colleagues focus on delivering better experiences for clients.

Built using a microservice architecture, the new UNA App benefits from greater flexibility, scalability and easier maintenance, as well as robust security measures. Updates and new features are delivered more quickly.

This project is being developed in collaboration with colleagues from UniCredit in Mostar and Banja Luka, highlighting the power of cross-team co-operation and the shared commitment to excellence found across our network in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

We’ve continued to develop our asset management strategy, bringing innovation to our regions as we expand our onemarkets Fund portfolio, which provides clients with access to a growing selection of actively managed funds.

The onemarkets Fund portfolio offers a comprehensive fund proposition in terms of asset classes, geographies and investment themes to respond to the investment strategies of all our clients. In October, it was launched in Greece, empowering local Alpha Bank clients with sophisticated actively managed investment products, while leveraging UniCredit’s scale.

Through the onemarkets Funds, UniCredit offers an exclusive selection of bespoke investment opportunities, managed by a team of experts, under a framework that ensures quality and specific risk-return profiles.

The platform offers 44 funds distributed in 10 countries and €14.5 billion AUM, with a growing selection of actively managed options. It’s a best‑in‑class investment solution, developed in‑house with UniCredit’s Investment Strategy and Product Management teams across countries, and through partnering with experienced asset managers.

“The onemarkets Fund portfolio opens a window to international investment opportunities for our clients and gives them the option of investing in mutual funds managed by asset managers. It offers innovative products and strategies covering all investment profiles, leveraging UniCredit’s expertise combined with the extensive experience and strong performance of Alpha Bank’s Asset Management teams.”

Vassilios Psaltis

Alpha Bank CEO

In addition, our partnership with Azimut means that Nova, a second fully-fledged funds business, is at the heart of our open platform to support the continuous launch of new funds in Italy. Part of the onemarkets funds, 13 Nova funds are available with €3.3 billion AUM*.

*data accurate as of 31 December 2024.

‍

In line with our ESG strategy, UniCredit has provided a social impact loan of €15 million over eight years to Nuova Assistenza, a cooperative working in the socio-health, welfare and educational sectors in Italy.

The loan is to support the construction of new long-term care facilities (RSAs) in Tuscany and Sardinia and the acquisition of a number of facilities already managed by the organisation. This will enable Nuova Assistenza to increase the number of beds it offers by over 300 – with 144 in the new facilities and 177 in the facilities already managed by the organisation.

The investment is backed by SACE’s Garanzia Futuro and is subsidised due to the social impact generated, in terms of the wellbeing of guests, the reduction of waiting lists and respite afforded to caregivers.

The FINANCE Banks Survey is one of the key indicators of performance and customer orientation in German corporate banking and gives a comprehensive insight into the developments and trends in the industry.

HVB came first in the "Digitalisation of Corporate Customer Business" category, recognising the successful implementation of our digital transformation Strategy and the value to corporate clients of our strategic investments in digital solutions. This underlines the growing need for broad digital platform solutions in corporate banking.

In the last three years, we have reduced over 1000 individual processes and achieved significant efficiency gains, including reducing the time between application and disbursement of consumer loans by 30%.

We also achieved a productivity gain of over 10% in mortgage loan applications thanks to process automation and simplification. In wealth management, we managed to reduce processing times by more than 30%. Additionally, we worked intensively on our product catalogue, adapting and simplifying it according to our customers’ needs.

HVB is popular with German SMEs: more than half of the survey’s SME respondents placed HVB in top place. We were second in the "Most Common House Banks" category, with particularly strong support from companies with a turnover of less than €250 million, two thirds of whom list HVB as their principal bank.

HVB also came second in the "Best Service Level" and "Advice on Sustainable Financing/ESG" categories.

Since 2023, we have organised 111 events at our Innovation Hub, with participation from over 12,517 people across all divisions. With the Regional Innovation Days, we addressed topics ranging from AI and digital platforms to security, leadership, and entrepreneurship. 33% of the sessions were co-organised with external partners, contributing to the promotion of digital innovation and knowledge sharing. Additionally, our Democracy Hub Campaign hosted five events focused on democracy and our Bank’s engagement, with participation from over 1,180 people.

For the coming year, HVB has set itself the goal of defending our leading position in digitalisation and further improving our overall position.

“These pleasing rankings are a great confirmation that we are on the right track with our Strategy. They underline the importance of continuous change and our ability to adapt. They motivate us to constantly improve and offer our customers the best possible service."

Martin Brinckmann, Head of Small and Medium Corporates

This is the start of a gradual integration of Alpha Bank Romania into UniCredit Group, which will be completed with the merger through absorption of Alpha Bank Romania S.A. within UniCredit Bank S.A., estimated to take place in the second part of 2025.

The merger will bring together two complementary banks, both with longstanding relationships and expertise in the Romanian market. The corporate and retail experience of UniCredit Romania and Alpha Bank Romania will strengthen the position of the resulting bank.

“This is a decisive step in our strategic partnership with Alpha, allowing us to further enhance our presence in the country for the benefit of clients and our wider stakeholders. The resulting bank will be well positioned for growth opportunities in the Romanian market, as well as for the development of the potential of all employees in Romania and across the wider Group”

Andrea Orcel, CEO of UniCredit

Read the article for more information

‍

We are now taking back control of our technology and talent, building an operating model based on end-to-end ownership of our core technology, products and processes.

Four strategic areas comprise the new phase:

> Transitioning our infrastructure

> Enhancing our way of working

> Elevating our application landscape

> Embracing Data and AI

‍

Key achievements:

> Digital onboarding on buddy and all channels

> Rolling out GenAI solutions with UniAsk

> Expansion of our Global Bank Insurance platform

> Implementation of AI for previously manual processes

> Developing AI tools to classify M&A clients

Looking ahead, we are exploring several potential catalysts to accelerate our Digital machine.

It will now purchase electricity from a photovoltaic power plant, so around 75% of the bank's total energy consumption will be from green energy generation.

Bulbank will purchase green energy monthly, with an annual supply of 7,000MWh. The origin of the energy purchased will be guaranteed in the form of certificates from the Sustainable Energy Development Agency (AUER).

The new agreement encompasses all of the bank's locations across Bulgaria, except for some leased premises where electricity is invoiced by the landlord.

This partnership aligns with UniCredit Group's goals. We were the first bank in Italy to commit to a corporate power purchase agreement (PPA) with a green energy producer. UniCredit Bulbank is a pioneer within the CEE region, following Italy in signing a corporate PPA and reflecting the Group's commitment to Sustainability and green energy solutions.

Other Sustainability initiatives from UniCredit Bulbank include:

> Installing photovoltaic panels on the roof of Sveta Nedelya. In the first seven months of operation, they produced 23 MWh of electricity.

> Replacing its fleet with hybrid cars. Since the beginning of 2024, 26 more hybrid cars have been delivered, and 40% of its fleet is now made up of electric and hybrid cars.

> Installing additional charging stations in the Central Office garages. Up to eight cars can now be charged simultaneously.

Everyone has intrinsic abilities and skills that can help us to succeed. That’s the idea behind Talento Diffuso.

Talento Diffuso stemmed from a listening campaign piloted in 2023. We engaged with 28,000 colleagues to discover what motivated them and what inherent talents they wanted to develop. We then committed to building a personalised training path that helps them grow, express these skills and unlock their true potential, professionally and personally.

More than 12,000 colleagues across UniCredit Italy, including Retail, Corporate and Private Banking as well as Central Functions, Competence lines, Wealth Management, and Large Corporates, have joined the initiative since its launch in 2023.

Almost 2,200 colleagues have completed a blended learning path with online courses and an on‑site “Talent Development Lab” resulting in individual development plans; another 4,000 colleagues from Network Italy and Central Functions, Wealth Management, Large Corporates will be involved in 2025 in experiential workshops dedicated to personal efficacy and enhancement of their own talents.

“I have learned to pay attention to the talents of my colleagues. The talent of each person allows us to create value: that’s the true essence of Talento Diffuso.”

Elisabetta Zavagli, Operational Manager, Private Area Lombardia East‍

"The Talento Diffuso programme definitely helped me become more conscious about our work, providing me better understanding of what will be in the focus of our Bank in the future.”

Fabio Maltese, Private Banker

“Joining Talento Diffuso means I have increased the awareness of my talents, and I manage my daily work life much more effectively.”

Francesco Lerza, Manager, Corporate Area Napoli

‍