OREANDA-NEWS. August 04, 2009. During the period of receiving applications for participation in the state-sponsored SME lending support program from June 19 till July 17, 2009 RBD received 161 applications from the banks seeking to be involved in this program, reported the press-centre of RBD.

According to preliminary results of review over a half of the applied banks will get the lending support. Sergey Krjukov, Chairman of the Board of RBD told it at the seminar-meeting “Enhancement of SME lending support and creation of a system of financial support to small and mid-sized enterprises” that took place in Krasnodar.

According to Mr.Krjukov the banks applied for the lending support actually represent all political subdivisions of the Russian Federation proving the high topicality of the program implemented by RBD in the regions. The total bulk of applications currently amounts to RUR 40 billion.

The Head of RBD added that at present an intensive processing of applications is going on in the Bank. The final list of the counter-party banks will be formed in accordance with the schedule and regional limits. “Approximately at the end of the next week we shall publish a list of the counter-party banks on our web-site www.rosbr.ru” - S.Krjukov explained.

“The confirmation of the Bank’s pro-active attitude to implementation of the program is the fact that as early as today will be completed the first withdrawal under the program targeted at SME funding in the South Federal Okrug” - S.Krjukov said.

In the course of the seminar S.Krjukov and O.Teplouhova, Director of SME lending department hold special consultations for the South FO banks dealing with participation in the program.