Banker S.A. September 2012 | Page 64

Growth in the Banking Sector Uniprint stands out as one of the foremost print media companies in South Africa. T heir success locally and across the African continent in the secure execution of election-related print requirements, including ballot papers and voter’s rolls, has gained Uniprint the respect as a trustworthy security printer locally and on the continent. This also includes the supply of non-printed election items such as indelible inks all the way down to stamp-pads and pencils, which in some countries is kitted out to polling station level using the Uniprint proprietary kitting programme. Their success and integrity in dealings at this level has caught the eye of the banking industry where integrity is paramount. The net result has seen Uniprint experience unprecedented growth in the banking sector over the past few years with successes across a variety of print media, notably the secure PIN market. In assisting banks to protect their customers, Uniprint applies a high secure message transfer system for PIN numbers known as FISCODE™ to banking card carrier sheets in their Durban Business Forms plant. FISCODE™ is purchased under license from Swissbased Foilen Fischer and is an internationally recognised brand prominent throughout Europe in PIN and validation code protection. With banks continually fighting for market share, banking products evolve and new innovative banking packages are continually introduced to high, middle and low-end clients. Traditionally banks had a few standard packages and long print runs were the order of the day. However, thanks to Uniprint pioneering local production of secure PINs, banks now have the flexibility for frequent, quick turn-around artwork changes. Waiting months for an imported product is no longer an inhibitor and cost-efficiency can also be factored into shorter print runs. Since launching FISCODE™ in mid-2010 over 6 million secure-card carriers have been produced by Uniprint with that figure expected to double in the coming year. Bank Marketing Wars It’s clear that bank marketing wars are ever increasing across all media fronts as they grapple for market share. The visual space includes billboards, various print media, posters, brochures and in-branch branding. Uniprint’s long-standing experience across all of these print mediums has over the past few years moved successfully into the banking sector over and above their traditional retail stronghold. Many of Uniprint’s long-standing retail clients have become authorised financial service and credit providers, evidenced by the many non-banking household retail names now appearing on banking cards. Day to day running Banks require a host of printed items in order to function efficiently, ranging from head office operational requirements through to branch level. Items such as statements, deposit slips and ATM, rolls are common-place. Forms are conceptualised by the banks operational staff with technical assistance provided by Uniprint. Uniprint then proof, print and deliver directly to the bank or to Uniprint’s finished goods warehouse as part of their stock management offering. Warehousing and fulfilment For the banking sector, with limited storage space at branches in almost every city and town as well as in neighbouring countries, stock management / fulfilment is a lifeline in ensuring continuity of transactional forms at branch level. With many procurements platforms on offer, Uniprint’s adaptation to a variety of such platforms has ensured that hundreds of deliveries are executed successfully each week. Contact the Uniprint Business Forms division on 031 560 2300 to arrange for a presentation on how they can tailor a printing / security package to your specific requirements.