Samlink’s 1.5-Year Journey: Delivering a Major Banking Migration with Exceptional Expertise

Over the past 1.5 years, Samlink has led one of its biggest efforts ever – a program with several projects to prepare a major banking migration. Late last year marked the successful completion of the project: the migration of Handelsbanken’s Finnish SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) business.

In 2023, Handelsbanken made a strategic decision to sell its SME and personal customer business. This marked the beginning of a significant migration program, reshaping the company’s focus and operations. This milestone represented a pivotal moment in Handelsbanken’s journey, aligning its services more closely with its evolving vision and priorities.

Handelsbanken’s 2023 divestment marked a transformative step in its strategy, showcasing Samlink’s expertise in managing Finland’s banking sector’s largest IT migration projects.

This program was a milestone not only for Samlink and its excellent collaborators but also for Finland’s banking sector, showcasing Samlink’s expertise in managing large-scale, complex IT transitions.

Handelsbanken’s Finnish SME Business Finds a New Home

One of the main milestones in this program was the migration of Handelsbanken’s Finnish SME business late last year. This project involved the transfer of approximately 10,000 customers, along with a deposit portfolio of around €440 million and a loan portfolio of approximately €500 million. Additionally, as part of the process, a significant volume of personal banking accounts was transitioned to another institution, making this one of the largest and most comprehensive projects of its kind in Finland.

Thanks to careful planning and rehearsals, the transition was executed successfully, providing a seamless experience for customers.

A Milestone of Partnership and Collaboration

“This migration marked an important milestone for Handelsbanken in Finland, and we are deeply grateful for the expertise and commitment of the Samlink team,” says Sirpa Pensas, Senior Vice President, Handelsbanken. “The smooth execution of such extensive transition highlights the importance of strong partnerships, careful planning, and shared dedication to high standards. The success of this project demonstrates both exceptional technical expertise and the power of collaboration at its best.”

The Power of Expertise and Teamwork

At the heart of the migration was Samlink’s highly skilled and dedicated team. CEO Sara Ramakers credits the success to the expertise and professionalism of the team.

“We have an outstanding team with extraordinary knowledge and skills. Each person brought their best to the project, taking responsibility for their part in the plan and delivering excellent results”, Sara says.

Samlink’s ability to bring together experts from different areas ensures success at every stage of a project, from planning to technical implementation. This approach makes Samlink a trusted leader in banking IT services.

Careful Planning Leads to Success

The migration was the result of thorough planning and exceptional collaboration. From the outset, Samlink worked closely with all stakeholders, developing detailed plans to address risks and ensure smooth transitions.

Exceptional planning and collaboration ensured minimal disruption during one of Finland’s largest banking migrations.

“Our ability to plan thoroughly and execute seamlessly is a testament to the level of professionalism and dedication of the team at Samlink,” Sara adds.

Seamless Collaboration Across the Board

The success of this project also hinged on seamless collaboration, both within Samlink and with its partners. Clear communication and a shared commitment to excellence ensured that the migration stayed on schedule and met all quality requirements.

“The collaboration within Samlink and with all involved parties was nothing short of exceptional,” Sara emphasizes. ” This was truly a team effort, showing the power of great teamwork.”

A Model for Future Success

Samlink’s role in this migration highlights its position as a trusted partner for critical IT projects. With a proven track record of delivering large-scale transformations through deep expertise, careful planning, and seamless collaboration, Samlink has set a new benchmark for the banking IT sector.

As Samlink continues to support the evolving needs of the banking industry, it remains committed to providing innovative solutions and exceptional service—one successful project at a time.