EFTA00307158.pdf
dataset_9 pdf 2.3 MB • Feb 3, 2026 • 35 pages
Internet Banking in Israel
An Investment Opportunity
2011
Confidential
iBank Proprietary and Confidential
EFTA00307158
The Entrepreneurs
Shlomo Piotrkowsky
-33 years long banking career
-CEO and then Chairman of The First International Bank of Israel 1991-2003
-Founder of Alfa Card and developer of the "Closed End Banking System"
-Deputy General Manager of Leumi; gained experience in all major departments, 1971-1990
-Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Finance Committee
of Cellcom, Israel's largest cellular company 1994-2004 (return of 25X on investment)
-MBA from INSEAD
Isaac Devash
-20 years of investment banking and investment career
-Actively involved in structural reforms in the Israeli capital markets- representing international
investors bidding for banks and asset management companies
-Founder of private equity funds and manager the $157M Renaissance Fund, 1994-2000
-Co-Founder of Biondvax, a start up company, developing multi-annual/multi-strain Flu Vaccine
specialist at CSFB in New York, London and Tokyo
-MBA from Harvard Business School; BA from Wharton
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Internet Bank opportunity
❑ Israeli consumers and regulators are struggling to
find ways to introduce competition to Israel's
highly concentrated banking sector
❑ Already banking on-line, the Israeli consumers,
being price sensitive and quick to switch, are
ready for a stand alone Internet Bank; one of cost
savings, service and transparency
iBank Proprietary and Confidential
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Characteristics of the Israeli banking environment
• Highly centralized industry with an oligopoly type structure, mainly in the
retail banking segment, which is cross subsidizing other sectors (2 banks
control 60% of the retail market...);
• Israeli banks are major "supermarkets" controlling the entire credit card
industry and the distribution of capital markets products (no "Charles
Schwab", "Fidelity". No fixed fee brokerage costs. i.e. Israelis pay a fee
that is a % of the transaction size...);
• According to the Bank of Israel, there are no "competitive threats" in the
industry generally and in the retail banking segment in particular
• All Israel banks operate in an identical rigid "production function"--
minimizing potential for competition;
• High Financial and Operating margins, supported by low "consumer
bargaining power";
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Rigid cost structure, HR a significant part
HR - The Most Significant Cost Component of
.1,286 branches, the Israeli Banks
.47,260 heavily unionized (5 largest banks)
employees,
•NIS 14.4B annual salary cost,
300% of average national salary!!!
Lack of Flexibility in HR Management
"This is an outrageous scandal - on top
of the cutbacks, the bank management
is planning to replace older employees
with high salaries with new employees
... this is disgraceful"
Chairman. Employee Union Of Discount Bank Source: Bank of Israel
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Positive correlation of Operating Cost with increasing revenues and NO
correlation with increasing Bed debt Provisions
iBank Proprietary and Confidential
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Israel Retail Banking -the lucrative segment (NIS)
❑ Retail Banking represents 66% of Total Deposits (788B) and only 27% of
Total Loans (669B)
❑ It represents 27% of Net Interest income (23B) but 81% of the Operational
Income (15B)
❑ Represents 62% of Operational Costs (24B)
❑ Represents 50% of total banking system profit in 2007 (60% in 2004)
Source: BOI
Total retail banking revenues: approx. NIS 18 B
Very profitable & low risk segment
Bad debt provisions less than 1/6 of total provisions*
Heavy cross subsidy
7 *based on Leumi and Hapoalim data
Including mortgages iBank Proprietary and Confidential
EFTA00307164
Israel's Banking Industry at a snapshot
▪ Key facts*
Accounts: 4.5M
Total Assets (2008/2009)- NIS1,062B / NIS 1,088B
Total Loans (2008/2009)- NIS 732B / NIS 722B
Total Deposits (2008/2009)- NIS 820B / NIS 837B
Total Capital (2008/2009)- NIS 60B / NIS 68B
Total Income (2008/2009)- NIS 31B*" / NIS 39B out of which (2008/2009)- NIS18B- / NIS
23B net interest income and (2008/2009)- NIS 13B / NIS16B Operating Income (fees &
commissions)
Operating Expenses (2008/2009)- NIS 25B / NIS 25B , out of which labor NIS 14.7B / NIS
14.4B
_1 Profit
- Profit before Tax (2008/2009)- NIS 0.2B / NIS 8.5B
— Average Return on Equity (2008/2009)-1% / 8.7%
— Return on Assets (2008/2009)- 0.03/0.69
_1 Total income by segments:
Retail (2008/2009)— 39.9% / 36.1%
Private Banking (2008/2009)- 12.7% / 12.0%
Small Businesses (2008/2009)- 13.9% / 12.8%
Medium Business (2008/2009)- 12.7% / 12.3%
- Large Business (2008/2009)- 20.8% / 27.0%
'Dec. 2008:9
"Net of NIS 5.86 ro evaluaon of Bonds
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Internet banking emerging in the mid '90s
❑ Initial "hype" around internet banking in the ".com" era (1998-2001), only
the focused ones survived, some were acquired by traditional banks.
❑ Low Internet penetration rate at that time forced the early players to
spend heavy marketing $ on educating consumers for the new user
habit of internet banking
❑ Since then successful Internet banks were established world wide
❑ Some examples:
— ING world wide
— Tesco Direct
— EGG UK
— NTT DoCoMo
— Virgin is planning to launch an internet bank
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Products that make it in the world of direct banking
British And Canadian Direct Ventures: Profits And oduct Offer
Bank/Retailer Tesco PF 1997 GBP173
Bank First Direct (UK) 1989 GBP49.9
insurer Sc. Wid. Bank 1995 GBP16.5
Bank The One Account 1997 GBP23
Bank/Retailer Sainsbury's Bank 1997 GBP22
Insurer Standard Life Bank 1998 GBP4.6
Bank Direct Line Rescue 1998 GBP31
Former CU Cahoot 2000 (GBP15)
Bank Goldfish 1996 (GBP30)
Insurer Egg 1998 (GBP34)
Bank Intelligent Finance 2000 (GBP53)
Bank Insuer ING Direct UK 2003 No
red:t Union Citizens Bank of C. 1997 a No
Source: Celent direct banking case studies
The optimal portfolio: concentrate on significant services with clear value added
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Main success factors for Internet Banks
jCelent 43 case studies research)
❑ Costs. The direct channels have to leverage their lower operating costs in
order to offer better pricing and rates to the customer
❑ Processes. Selling direct is all about implementing better processes than
rival multi-channel banks'.
❑ Product. The flagship product has to appeal to a large market, fill a gap, and
be innovative, easy to understand, and easy to buy.
❑ Speed. it is important to reach a critical level of awareness and size in a short
period of time, i.e., 12 to 18 months.
❑ Marketing. Marketing strategy is critical to the success of a direct venture
❑ Channel conflicts. Channel conflicts can be managed, but they have been a
frequent cause of failure.
❑ Convenience. Convenience can never be the core proposition of a direct
bank.
❑ Technology. Technology may be a critical competitive differentiator.
❑ Commitment by stakeholders. A give-it-a-try approach does not work.
Either an institution and its shareholders commit to the plan, or they do not.
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ING Direct case study- a world wide success story-the first years
2005 Customers (K) 2005 Profit (eM)
5 01
632
10031 • Germany
• United States
• Canada
1240
• Spain
Australia
• United Kingdom
• Italy
3382 • France
Customers (K) Profit (EM)
16000 700
14000 600
500
12000
400
10000 300
Net Profit
8000 200
Total Customers
6000 100
0
4000
-100
2000 -200
0 -300
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Israelis are already banking over the internet
Bank Hapoalim activity via Internet
Rapid Penetration of Broadband Internet (% Relevant activity of customers)
(K, households)
71% 50%
1400
penetration. 45%
1200 40%
second only to 950 35%
Korea 830
30%
25%
640 20%
15%
10%
-200
- 100 5%
0%
q, r5 Q‘g
O<° 'Z.
C°
‘1‘ oti e e
Monthly
Monthly Daily
visits per
visitors visitors
visitor
Hapoalim 649K 110K 6.9
r eumi 355K 59K 6.3
Discount 49K 6K 4.0 7
ComScore internet panel, Jan 07
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The Israeli Consumers have proven to be "price sensitive"
J 2 direct insurance companies have reached 20% of the relevant market, with an
average discount of less than 20% on car insurance
Insurance
' ❑ As competition introduced in July 97, Bezeq dropped to less than 60% of the
market in 70 days!
❑ Total usage (minutes) market grew by 87% in the first 3 years
International
Phone Calls
J In 1995 Cellcom entered the mobile market with a discount of 80% on the
incumbent prices! Within the year it became the largest operator
J The mobile market grew from $0.5B to $1.2B in 2 years (with 37% penetration) and
reached $4.8B by 2008 (120% penetration rate!)
Mobile
Banking services ❑ The Israeli banking industry is an oligopoly run by 2 major players;
there are no real alternatives, "they are all the same", and without
transparency and new offering it's hard to compare service + cost
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The Israeli public is looking for a new banking offering
❑ Dramatic change in the regulators' approach due to public
pressure:
— The Knesset established a Special Investigational Committee focusing on the lack of
competition in the retail banking market
— Bank of Israel is acting towards reducing concentration in the industry: encouraging
new entrants, Internet bank, Postal Bank, etc.
Anti Trust Commissioner is supporting internet bank, lowering barriers to entry,
improving transparency of commissions and re-organizing the Postal Bank
❑ The Israeli consumer doesn't like to be locked up
— "The total rating of the banking system is 5.4 compared to 6.6 for the cellular
operators", (The Knesset Research Department Survey)
❑ The banking fees & commissions are getting into public
focus
— `The customers are raising a white flag ... 2/3 of them admit that the basic charging
method is not clear to them" (VP marketing, Bank Hapoalim)
"Another factor that does not add to the degree of competition is the long, and
perhaps even ridiculous, list of fees. I fail to understand why in Israel the banking
system operates thus, while in other countries banks make their money essentially
from the spread between their lending and their borrowing interest rates." (Professor
Stanley Fischer Governor BOI, Nov 06)
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The time is right for Internet Banking in Israel
■ Super-competitive
-11
L IConsumer friendly, Simple and Transparent"
Using multiple points of contacts
(Phones, Mobile devices, Internet PCs, TV etc.)
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iBank will offer full RETAIL service relationship
❑ Deposits (Short and long term)
❑ Loans
— Consumer credit
— Car loans
— Mortgages
— Credit Cards
❑ Current accounts
❑ Capital markets trading (Brokerage)
Set of simple financial products competitively priced
and easily understood
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iBank is designed to operate in a low risk environment
❑ iBank will focus on retail and private banking services
❑ iBank will offer its corporate and commercial clients operational
services and investment operations
❑ iBank will not be exposed to corporate/commercial lending
❑ iBank will not underwrite mortgages (will distribute for a fee)
❑ iBank will not operate a Forex dealing room (will interface with others)
❑ iBank will not advise on securities (decision support expert systems)
❑ iBanks's Nostro investment-policy--conservative & prudent
❑ iBank will utilize advanced risk management and control systems
❑ iBanks' operational platform -- strategic collaborations
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'Bank: marketing strategy
❑ Dramatic price reduction
— Financial Margins & Commissions — reduction of at least 50%
— Cancellation of numerous Fees & Commissions
❑ Significant improvement in the quality of service
— Providing access to advanced expert systems free of charge
— Full transparency as a leading motto
❑ Empowering the retail customer
— Providing data for managing customers accounts in all banks
— Minimizing switching costs
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iBank - Competitive Concept of the Business Opportunity
"Pays off"
Private \,
Banking! Cost structure
Brand/Image
"No Permission
Frustrating Friendly
"Customer Pays"
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iBank: A variety of Interfaces with the customer
❑ Internet
❑ 24/7 call center
❑ Video conference technology (PC to Call Center)
❑ Services available on all ATMs
❑ Mobile handset alerts and activities
❑ Courier delivers to your door (opening an account, receive credit card
etc.)
❑ Postal Bank services (e.g. depositing checks)
Lean cost structure supports heavy marketing
oriented presence
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iBank: Advertising and customer acquisition channels
❑ Internet
❑ Television
❑ Radio
❑ Newspapers
❑ Public Relations channels
❑ Strategic partnerships (Retail, Cellular, Insurance, Unions, etc.)
Aggressive acquisition budget with multipl
channels strategy
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The Traditional Banks have a Limited Ability to Respond
(Possible responses)
Competitive Establishing
"Propaganda"
Pricing Operating Barriers
Definition • Equal the VB offering Cause delays, damages in Emphasize the credibility
to relevant customers inter-banking operative interfaces issue (small. new...)
Feasibility
• Can not discriminate price • Difficult to create true • Can create an impact
in the mass market operative barriers facing a well
• Internet channel is now 40% of established operation on an
banking- can't lower prices "only" on existing platform (...Bank)
internet
• Regulators and public
• Lowering costs to a significant awareness.
number of customers will
hurt significantly the banks
profitability
(return on capital)
The bank has a
Difficulty in creating
limited ability to respond
barriers
cost structure
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Who is iBank's Target customer?
2. Looking for
3. Profitability
1. No. Barriers an Alternative
Potential
("financially frustrated")
• Free to decide (liabilities) • Pays high fees • Salaried
(activity volumes) (average and above)
• Sophisticated and open
minded • Feels that he is not • Students
- preference for Internet maximizing control of
and direct banking his financial assets
channel users • "Asset rich"
• Considers his time
as valuable • Israelis abroad
Medium-high socio-economic status, with salary/financial assets,
Age 18-50+, Internet users
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iBank: Variety of target segments
Hayashir
Hayashir Harishon
Harishon 70-50K
(Direct only)
Private
Current Private
Banking
Service Banking 150K
characteristic
Young
Traditional + 200K
( While )
Direct (Internet) Advanced retail
750K SoHo
•
ki Blue )
Traditional Conservative retail
Banking 200K 150K
Middle Socio I High Socio
Economic Class Economic class
I SoHo
Customer type
Over 1M target customers,
representing 1.5M possible
accounts
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iBank: The Closed End Banking System
iBANK
Investment Payments
Securities
Time
Deposits
The Closed End Banking System covers the majority of the day to day
retail banking activities
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iBank: Required investment in IT (`000 $)
Set Up
phase, Year 1
Software Development 2,390 1,150
Software Products 830 2,130
Hardware 260 940
Other 80 270
Legal Cost 320 180
Other and unexpected 300 450
Total investment $4,180 $5,120
iBank has received replies to its RFP from:
- I-Flex (Oracle)
-SAP
- Accenture
- InfoSys
- IBM
- Temanos
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iBank: financial model - highlights
❑ Investment:
Set up period: 12-18 months
- Set up costs: $20 million — $10 million by the Controlling Shareholders
— Capital required: $100 million, including set up costs ($80 million upon launch)
— Maximum accumulated loss: $32 million (E.O.Y 2) including $20 M Set up costs
Move towards Profitability as of Q3 of second year of operation
❑ Operations:
— Net profit on year 5: $23 million after tax, growing yearly approx. 50%
- Fifth year personnel: 162 (FTE)
— Average Number of customers: 18,000 on year 1, growing to 180,000 on year 5
- Provisions for bad debt: 0.7% compared to less than 0.4% industry average
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iBank: Capital Structure
❑ Primary Capital — Shareholders Equity + General Reserves for bad
debts
❑ Secondary Capital
❑ Third Tier Capital
❑ Hybrid Capital
❑ Total Eligible Capital - 215% of Primary Capital
iBank will commence operations with $80 million Primary Capital
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The evolution of iBank
❑ Shlomo's extensive business experience in Banking and Cellular
❑ The Closed End Banking System
❑ Cellular banking
❑ Amdocs
❑ iBank gets a "road map" from the BOI in early 2007
❑ Submitting a comprehensive business plan in June 2007 and obtaining B.O.I
approval to move to the next stage in December 2007
❑ Assembling the Control Group in 2008
❑ "Meltdown" of the global financial system in September 2008
❑ Passing away of anchor investor in March 2009
❑ Fund raising "re-start"
❑ Currently, there are two Control Group investors, each taking 25% of the
Control Group (i.e. $12.5 million) + several others under discussions
❑ The remaining $50 million will be raised from passive/financial investors,
after finalizing a term sheet among the Control Group
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iBank: Role and commitment of the entrepreneurs
❑ Shlomo intends to be a pro-rata part of the Control Group
❑ Upon signing term sheet, Entrepreneurs will get an option to buy 20%
of iBank for 10 years at the actual cost of the investment (i.e. 20% of
the upside)
❑ The Control Group will have full and direct control on all decision-
making process during the set up phase and thereafter through the
Board of Directors of iBank
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iBank: Regulator's demands from Control Investors
❑ Integrity
❑ Net worth of 2-3 times of their investment amount
❑ No leveraging or pledging of the investment (all equity)
❑ PE or VC Funds can not be more than 40% of the Control Stake ($20M)
❑ Investors are committed to 5 years, unless if iBank will go public earlier
❑ Divestment is allowed only to approved Investors (or by an IPO)
❑ Investors are not allowed to control other Israeli competing companies
❑ Investors are not subject to additional financial commitment beyond their
investment
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iBank: timetable, capital and licensing procedure
❑ The BOI has already approved: iBank's business plan; its capital ($100
million); its capital adequacy (15%) and the size of its "Control Group"
(50.1%)
❑ Key phases of iBank's launch are:
— Finalizing list of 3-4 core investors
- Signing term sheet and advancing $500,000 from each investor,
— Commitments for $50 million by the passive/financial investors,
— Finalizing with the BOI last steps of phase 2 business plan (IT,
Management Team, Control System, Procedures etc.),
— Commencing iBank's set up phase,
— Approval by the BOI of the Control Shareholders
— Executing a "soft launch",
— Injection to the required capital ($80 million) ,
[ — "Going live"
Time to "Going live" Is estimated at 12-18 months from finalizing
Term Sheet
iBank Proprietary and Confidential
EFTA00307190
iBank: summary of the opportunity
❑ The Israeli retail banking industry offers a unique window of opportunity in
2011 -2012 for the emergence of a stand alone Internet Bank
❑ An Internet based bank could be a formidable alternative to the current
industry structure, offering attractive low prices and friendly approach
❑ The entrepreneurs intend to set up the internet bank within 12-18 months
with an investment of approximately $ 20 million (total capital requirement
of $100 million)
❑ The bank is projected to break even in the second half of second year and
is projected to generate 30% IRR assuming Israel is the only market
k aldwide strategy: Going International in third year of oper
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