After a break of several years, Säästöpankki Sinetti is returning to Tampere and opening a new branch in the historic Frenckell office building. For the bank, this is a homecoming, as Säästöpankki Sinetti previously had a branch in western Tampere. The new branch will open later this year.
A branch in a historic building
“We are delighted to return to Tampere and to open a new branch in the Frenckell office building at Keskustori, a place with a real sense of history. Our current customer base already includes many Tampere residents and businesses, and 21.6% of Säästöpankki Sinetti’s total loan portfolio is directed to Tampere. Going forward, we want to offer local service in the city centre to both existing and new customers. Our return also strongly supports the Savings Banks Group’s shared growth strategy, as Tampere is one of the fastest-growing urban regions in Finland,” says Hannu Syvänen, CEO of Säästöpankki Sinetti. From now on, the Savings Banks Group will be represented in Tampere by Säästöpankki Sinetti and Aito Säästöpankki, which has long operated in the Pirkanmaa region.
The Frenckell office building is located at Keskustori, in the Frenckell property at Puutarhakatu 2. The building was originally constructed from drawings made in the 1830s to serve as the office of the Frenckell paper mill and the residence of the mill’s director. “The Savings Banks Group is the oldest banking group in Finland, with a history of more than 200 years, and we savings banks are still driven by the same idea as 200 years ago: promoting our customers’ financial well-being. It is fascinating that we will now operate in a building almost as old as our own history,” Syvänen sums up.
The Frenckell office building will be fully renovated, and in addition to Säästöpankki Sinetti, it will house other office space and a restaurant. The building was most recently used by the City of Tampere as temporary premises, but in 2024 it was purchased from the city by the real estate investment company Aare Invest Oy, which wants to return the historic property to public use. Säästöpankki Sinetti’s new branch will honour the building’s historical roots.
“Renovating the Frenckell office building is an important part of preserving and valuing our cultural heritage. When old buildings are restored to their original splendour, we are not only maintaining architectural and cultural treasures but also honouring the past and its influence on the present. Projects like this create a valuable connection between the past and the present, while offering inspiring spaces and meaningful environments for modern use. It is especially gratifying when modern companies show appreciation for history. Companies’ commitment to renovating and preserving old properties reflects a deep understanding of the importance of cultural heritage and its impact on the community,” says Marko Kuusisto, CEO of Aare Invest Oy.
Expert and personal service
Säästöpankki Sinetti serves both private and corporate customers in financing, saving and investing, and payment services. “Personal, individual service, expertise and fast local decision-making are central to how we operate, and we believe there is demand in Tampere for our way of providing banking services. We want to help our customers realise their plans for the future, whether that means buying a home, investing their wealth or making business investments,” Syvänen continues.
“In recent years our business has grown positively, and we have succeeded in many areas despite a difficult market. We posted an excellent result in the first part of the year, and our capital adequacy rose to a record 23.36%. Contrary to the market trend, Säästöpankki Sinetti’s loan portfolio has grown, and in wealth management, for example, we have significantly increased the number of private banking customers. Our bank is in excellent financial shape, and our profitable business allows us to invest in growth, which we are of course seeking in the Tampere region,” Syvänen concludes.
Säästöpankki Sinetti operates in Pirkanmaa and Central Finland with around 35 finance professionals, and the bank already has branches in Ylöjärvi, Orivesi, Jämsä and Muurame. Tanja Heinonen, an Sp-Koti real estate agent and entrepreneur who has worked with the bank for several years, will continue the partnership at the new Tampere branch as well.
Further information:
Marko Kuusisto, CEO, Aare Invest Oy
+358 40 555 5413
marko.kuusisto@aare.fi