BinckBank case study

Fast-growing online bank integrates mobile app into its Investor Relations strategy

Founded in 2000, BinckBank is an independent online bank for investors and is now ranked in the top five online banks in Europe.  As part of its commitment to using leading edge technology to provide high quality investment services to its investors and stakeholders, BinckBank has selected Imprima's investor relations app for the iPhone and Android smartphones.

BinckBank's mission is to provide the private investor with the same technical resources as professional investors and to provide a high quality service and maximum value to customers.  Its ambition is to become the biggest online bank for investors in Europe.

Anneke Hoijtink, manager of investor relations at BinckBank, explains: "The higher the number of transactions, the more we can provide a cost-effective service to clients through economies of scale.  We aim to be operating in five countries, including Italy, by next year."

Communicating milestones to shareholders and analysts is an important part of this growth strategy.  In an era of online communications and social media, this information needs to be integrated across different channels so that it is easily accessible to all stakeholders.  

BinckBank understands that clear communication to the outside world is vital, and that the use of the mobile internet channel is growing extremely quickly.  Expecting analysts and investors to access corporate information from a normal website via a smartphone is no longer tenable, says Anneke:

"You need to ensure that there is a version of your website that is optimised for smartphones so that investors can view all of the information that they need to see in the best format."

Imprima's investor relations app - supporting transparent communications with stakeholders

BinckBank has launched a branded version of Imprima's white label investor relations app to its investors and analysts, ensuring that they can stay up to speed with relevant information via their iPhone or Android smartphones.  BinckBank was already working with Imprima to provide online annual reports and was confident that the new app would work well.

Although it provides the same data as investors and analysts can access via the main BinckBank website, the new app is a stand-alone system that is easy and straightforward to set up.  BinckBank has access to a content management system (CMS) that allows Anneke to update information as regularly as needed.  It includes a real-time data feed, which investors and analysts can track on a regular basis.

"This app makes it simple for investors to find out what they need when they are considering whether or not to invest in BinckBank," Anneke explains.  "Around 13% of our shares are owned by our customers, who expect the same high levels of functionality when they look at key business indicators about us as when they are trading via their smartphones, or accessing information via the normal website.  The app helps investors and analysts look at relevant data, such as our financial results, dividends and capital ratio, whenever and wherever they happen to be.  We're very happy with the app provided by Imprima."

"This app is user-friendly and makes it easy for our investors and analysts to search for the information that they need about BinckBank from their smartphones.  It helps us to communicate our progress and strategy to the outside world clearly and effectively."