Oschadbank has unveiled its innovative app, Samo, which combines banking and marketplace features. This service targets small and medium-sized businesses, particularly those without their own online stores, as reported by Forbes. Users can select a partner, create orders, pay through the app, and pick them up in-store.

The app is already supported by major partners such as WOG, Socar, Winetime, and Okwine, along with several local businesses in Kyiv, Dnipro, Kropyvnytskyi, and Chernihiv. Plans include expanding functionalities and launching the Shop&Go feature, allowing users to scan products in stores, pay online, and exit without waiting in line.

According to Anton Tyutyun, the deputy chairman of Oschadbank, the idea for Samo was conceived during the early days of the pandemic, but testing only commenced in 2023. The development costs remain undisclosed, but experts estimate them to be between $100,000 and $360,000.

Despite the official launch, users faced issues: SMS codes for login were not received, linking bank cards was problematic, and some product categories were missing. A Forbes journalist was unable to access the app for several days.

"This isn’t even a beta; it’s a false start," commented Artem Shevchenko, CEO of market by mono, adding that the app operates inconsistently, and pick-up is only available with significant delays.

Oschadbank acknowledges that Samo is still imperfect, but considers it a crucial step in expanding the bank's ecosystem. By 2025, they plan to scale it to other cities and actively onboard new partners.

Bank representatives claim that Samo will complement Oschadbank's portfolio of digital services, including traditional online banking and the "My ЖК" app for homeowners' associations. Experts believe that the service will not fully compete with Glovo or Rozetka but could be an effective tool for supporting small businesses and retaining bank customers.