Santander Bank Polska ensures access to financial services for people with individual needs and creates inclusive solutions.In July, as a first bank in Poland, Santander introduced cards with a blind notch.

The card has a special notch cut out to help the blind and partially sighted people use the card, for example at ATMs. Moreover, Santander Bank Polska debit and credit cards feature contrasting colours and are embossed on the front.  The card design was reviewed by Polish blind and partially sighted accessibility experts from Utilitia (Polish company dedicated to examining solutions for the impaired).

– Thanks to the blind notch on the left side of the shorter edge of the card, it is much easier for the blind to identify the card in their wallets and insert it to the ATM the right way. Contrasting colours, different for each type of a card, prove very useful for the partially sighted. It is surprising that such a small but innovative modification facilitates so much the card usage by the blind or visually impaired   – says Mikołaj Rotnicki from Utilitia.

This year Santander Bank Polska opened a pilot branch in Wrocław with a tactile map of the premises, tactile walking surface indicators and the Totupoint sound system which supports spatial orientation.

Barrier-Free Banking

Santander Bank Polska increases the accessibility of its products and services in all channels.There are 164 branches with no architectural barriers. Customer advisors are also prepared to provide support to those who cannot read or write. The Bank has introduced solutions facilitating smooth and comfortable processes, for example frames helping customers sign documents, and mini magnifiers.

Customers with individual needs may also avail of ATMs with accessibility solutions – 90% of over 1500 of the bank’s ATMs is equipped with at least one of the following: an audio system, high-contrast mode, screen switch-off or Braille symbols.

Santander internet and Santander mobile services are systematically audited in terms of accessibility to customers with disabilities. They feature Face ID and Touch ID login options or voice recognition identification at the Bank’s Contact Center.

Find out more about inclusive solutions at: www.santander.pl/obb
 

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_{Santander Bank Polska Group is one of the largest financial groups and the largest private bank in Poland. It offers financial solutions to personal customers, micro, small and medium enterprises, and domestic and international corporations. The Bank operates one of the biggest networks of branches and partner outlets. It also renders services via electronic channels, including mobile banking. It is one of market leaders in terms of the use of modern technologies in banking, consistently developing its brand in line with its strategic goal to achieve the position of the best bank for customers. Loyalty and satisfaction of its customers are the priority for Santander Bank Polska. With this in mind, the Bank regularly implements innovative functionalities to help its customers take care of their private finances and manage their business finances effectively. Since 2011, the Bank has been a member of the international Santander Group. The subsidiaries from the Santander Bank Polska Group offer investment funds, insurance, leasing, factoring and other products.}

_{Established in 1857, Santander Group is a leading universal banking group headquartered in Spain. It operates in 10 core markets in Europe and both Americas, and is one of the largest banks worldwide by market capitalisation. Its mission is to help people and businesses prosper while being Simple, Personal and Fair. Santander Group wants to consistently improve itself in terms of being a socially responsible institution. Therefore, it committed itself to earmark over EUR 120bn between 2019 and 2025 for financing investments and eco-friendly solutions and to provide over 10 million people with better access to banking products and services. As at the end of H1 2021, the Group had 150 million customers (including 24.2 million loyal customers and 45.3 million digital customers), operated 10,000 branches and employed 190,000 people.}