OREANDA-NEWS. On August 08, 2008 The volume of loans, provided by Priorbank to private individuals, has exceeded 1 billion Belarusian rubles. The loan portfolio increased by 57% in 2007 and by another 48% during the first half of the current year, reported the press-centre of Priorbank. 

The number of Priorbank clients is approaching close to the 800 thousand mark. During the last several years Priorbank has been one of the leading players on the market of loans to individuals. 
 
As Sergey Shishov, a Board Member of Priorbank, said, “In the five years, since Priorbank has joined Raiffeisen International, we grew by the factor of 500 in terms of loans to individuals! We are confidently heading in the right direction, successfully acting in the growing competitiveness of the banking environment”. 

More than 260 billion rubles in real-estate loans. 
 
Priorbank is one of the leaders in the republic in terms of real-estate loans to its population. The bank’s advantages are the wide choice of loan conditions and its swift decision making. 
 
In 2008 Priorbank started offering real-estate financing loans that do not require collateral in the form of guarantees. Priorbank provides loans for 5, 10 and 15 years to the citizens of Belarus and individuals with a residency permit. To receive a loan one can apply at any Banking Services Centre (BSC) in the country regardless of the place of registration.
 
Priorbank loans are also attractive because of the simplicity of repayment. One can make loan repayments not only in any BSC, but also in post office branches, at ATMs and Cash-ins and via the Internet.
 
More than 70% of the loan portfolio is consumer loans and credit cards. 
 
During the 6 months consumer loan portfolio increased by 53% up to 720 bn. rubles. It includes overdrafts, credit cards, loans in cash, and financing of car purchasing and consumer loans. 
 
Priorbank is the country’s number one in terms of credit cards. The revolving credit card has been the most popular to date. It doesn’t require a guarantee and is issued for an unlimited term. Priorbank offers two types of these cards: Visa Electron to an amount of USD/Euro 2,000 and Visa Classic to an amount of USD/Euro 3,000.
 
As of July 1, 2008, the total number of issued credit cards amounted to more than 180,000. Priorbank’s share on the Belarusian market in terms of credit card emission is 47%. 
 
Priorbank runs loyalty programs for reliable clients, within which the clients receive special offers for new services and the services they have already applied for. In July one of these programs announced an increase of 30% on the credit limit of revolving credit cards for reliable credit card holders.
 
Dmitry Volchek, Head of Retail, added: “The main goal of our business is to constantly increase the availability and quality of the services provided. And we are successful. Every month 12,000 new clients join our bank.”
 
More than 1500 users registered to the new Internet Banking system ‘Prior Online’ within the first 20 days after its launch.
 
In July Priorbank launched the new Internet Banking system Prior Online, which allows its users to make online operations not only with their cards but to effect transactions with all their accounts opened with the bank – current, deposit and credit accounts, along with payments for services rendered by other legal entities. This allows clients not only to check their deposits, current account and card balances, and to make payments, but also to make an analysis of their financial situation and to carry out financial planning. 
 
"We are the most transparent bank in Belarus. Thanks to Prior Online our clients can clearly see what is happening with their money, including dates of credit and debt transaction as well as interest rate. Before this information was either non-available or difficult to get" - said Anatoly Pavlovich, the Electronic Distribution Channels Head.