Oschadbank has unveiled its new mobile application, Samo, which combines banking capabilities with marketplace functionalities. The service is aimed at small and medium enterprises, particularly those without their own online stores, according to Forbes. Users can select partners, place orders, pay through the app, and pick up their purchases at stores or establishments. The app is currently in beta mode.

Samo is already supported by several major partners such as WOG, Socar, Winetime, and Okwine, along with various local businesses in Kyiv, Dnipro, Kropyvnytskyi, and Chernihiv. Plans are in place to expand and launch the Shop&Go feature, which will allow users to scan products in stores, pay online, and exit without waiting in lines.

Anton Tyutyun, Deputy Chairman of Oschadbank, stated that the idea for Samo originated at the beginning of the pandemic, but the pilot project was only realized in 2023. Development costs have not been disclosed, but experts estimate them to be between $100,000 and $360,000.

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

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

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

According to bank representatives, Samo is expected to complement Oschadbank's portfolio of digital services, including traditional online banking and the “My ЖК” app for residents of HOA. Experts believe the service will not be a full competitor to Glovo or Rozetka, but it could serve as an effective tool for supporting small businesses and retaining bank clients.