In Finland, OP Financial Group is a forerunner in international banking services
With its 117 cooperative banks, OP Financial Group is Finland’s largest financial services group. In Coastal Ostrobothnia, that reaches from Kristinestad to Kokkola, the Group has six banks that support and drive local economic development.
“Prospering together is at the heart of everything we do. We have the responsibility to help our region grow. OP works in close cooperation with local companies, financing and investing in different projects that, for example, bring new jobs to the area”, says Agneta Ström-Hakala, Managing Director of OP Pedersörenejden (Jakobstad Region).
OP offers the most extensive international banking services in Finland. After joining the Swift network in 2022, the Group became the only Finnish financial company that provides almost real-time international payments.
“Swift handles transactions and payments between banks worldwide. In addition to OP, the network consists of almost 1,000 foreign banks. Thanks to this cooperation, 90 percent of the payments our customers make can be transferred all over the world in mere minutes”, explains Jyrki Rantala, Managing Director of OP Keski-Pohjanmaa (Central Ostrobothnia).
However, OP’s international services do not stop at fast payments. The Group offers everything a company that operates in global markets – or is striving for internationalisation – needs.
“This includes services from currency accounts and international invoicing to currency risk management”, says Ulf Nylund, Managing Director of OP Vaasa.
While the Helsinki-based OP Corporate Bank specialises in services for large companies, the Group’s other cooperative banks serve small and medium sized enterprises.
“Whether our customers need banking, investment, or insurance services, we are responsible, safe, and flexible local partners for them”, Nylund states.
