20/05/2025
Esteemed guests, dear colleagues and friends,
We have gathered today in the capital of Serbia, Belgrade, a modern city of rich history, to officially mark the launch of the acceptance of Discover cards in Serbia. If I had to summarize this in a few words, I would say: ”This is a historic day for all of us.” This is what Mr Jerry Fosker (Director International Acceptance EMEA at Discover Financial Services) said when we first shook hands. This kind of recognition and shared values is precisely why we established cooperation and signed a strategic agreement with Discover on 18 January 2022, our holiday The Feast of the Holy Cross. Few people in Serbia know that Discover is similar to us because it is not just an ordinary network like Mastercard or Visa. Discover has its own card, just like the NBS does, which is why they are the partners of the NBS and Banka Poštanska štedionica – a bank that, regardless of its size, is one of the pillars of the banking sector in Serbia. This event is yet another confirmation of our dedication to improving payment services and integrating into international financial flows. As Serbs say: “He who wants to go fast, goes alone. But he who wants to go far, goes in company.” In the era of globalisation, we have chosen the best possible company – partners who do not see Serbia merely as a market for their own profit. The start of Discover card acceptance means that, from today onward, our Serbia and our Belgrade will become even better hosts to all people carrying a Discover card in their wallet.
Few countries have managed to develop and maintain a strong and functional national payment card like our DinaCard. In the age of globalisation, it is crucial for national card systems to collaborate with international ones, creating synergy that brings mutual benefits.
We know that cross-border card usage is the greatest challenge for any national payment card, and this is often the reason for partnering with international systems. We have chosen partners for our DinaCard carefully and with a view to achieving international functionality without ever compromising the operation or independence of our system. And this is exactly what we have succeeded.
Relying on the partnership between the NBS and Discover, our banks can now issue DinaCard cards that can be used abroad, enabling our citizens to use their cards worldwide.
Today’s event is a natural continuation of this collaboration and a unique opportunity for a smaller yet reliable national card system like DinaCard to reciprocate to its international partner – by allowing Discover cardholders to use their cards seamlessly and securely in Serbia through our well-developed DinaCard acceptance network. Of course, this cooperation benefits both card systems. The winners are not only Discover cardholders worldwide, who will now be able to pay in Serbia, but also Serbia’s economy. Expanding collaboration with Discover will positively impact Serbian businesses, particularly merchants who can now accept payments from these globally issued cards.
In this way, our merchants gain a significant potential to increase turnover and expand their operations.
At this moment, as is often the case in the projects we undertake, I would like to extend special gratitude to Banka Poštanska štedionica – I repeat, a pillar of Serbian banking – which recognised the importance of this project and became the first bank in Serbia to enable Discover card acceptance in its network. Their vision and strong support for the development and innovation of payment services are of national importance and critical to the entire market. For Banka Poštanska štedionica, “competition” is not just a word – it is a business model.
It is precisely the synergy of diverse strengths and expertise that leads to the best results. As Henry Ford, the pioneer of industrialisation and a man who understood the importance of collaboration, wisely noted: “Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”
This quote reminds us that synergy – the creation of shared value and success – is what lies at the heart of our partnership and joint projects.
With deliberation and unwavering resolve, the NBS continues to build the foundations of a stable, innovative and advanced financial environment. Our vision is for every user of payment services in the country to experience not just the improvement, but full adaptation to the needs of the modern user, aligned with the highest standards and best practices. This is precisely why we chose Discover. They are one of the rare card schemes that issues their own cards and does not sell unnecessary products – a trait that distinguishes them from many others, even some of the largest card systems.
I believe everyone here understands that the NBS does not belong to the group of those who passively analyse the future of payment services or follow trends. We are not a billboard for what others do. We are the leaders. And despite being a conservative institution in monetary policymaking, when it comes to financial services, we are truly the ones spearheading the processes. However, we would have no one to lead with if we did not have banks capable of following us. In active collaboration with all market participants, we are creating the future. It has already become a common saying: “Some want to predict the future, but we are creating it.” We have already achieved much for the benefit of payment service users in Serbia, we are working intensively on new initiatives, and I believe we will soon have the opportunity to present new projects. In this process, we remain open to advice and recommendations from international partners and their experts, as we value their knowledge and experience. However, in every step we take, the long-term interests and prosperity of Serbia remain our compass and guiding light.
Guided by the timeless wisdom of Petar Petrović Njegoš, who said:
“Without struggle, a poem cannot be written; without struggle, a sword cannot be forged!”, we move forward with great enthusiasm and dedication toward achieving our goals, aware that every success requires inspiration, effort and perseverance.
Once again, I thank Discover and Banka Poštanska štedionica for this historic step forward and for enabling this significant project, as well as for organising today’s kick-off event.
Thank you!
Governor`s Office
