OREANDA-NEWS. June 08, 2011. "Internationale Project Consult" (IPC) GmbH and PJSC "MEGABANK" summed up four-year collaboration on microcredit programs in Ukraine (MCPU). Representatives of the parties met on in Kharkiv and discussed the results of joint work. As noted the coordinator of MCPU Holger Vifel, four years of cooperation with "MEGABANK" have been very successful for both parties. About this says only the fact that in the areas of microfinance the loans have been issued even in times of financial crisis, while in many other banks lending was stopped. Moreover, in 2010 under MCPU in "MEGABANK" it was open agricultural area lending which today successfully operates in 11 branch offices and bank branches, reported the press-centre of MEGABANK.

565 clients were credited totaling 8,945,429 USD within the cooperation. The average size of loans amounted to 15,833 USD. In the direction of agricultural credit loans were given to 92 clients, the total amount was 1,542,907 USD. Average amount of agro credits issued was 16,770 USD.

An important component of the project was training and staff development. More than 700 people, including managers, passed  within the qualified educational programm more than 90 trainings and seminars. Training activities were conducted not only in the direction of microcredit, but also in portfolio management, anti-crisis measures, risk management, agricultural crediting. Training Centre was set up on the basis of the bank's head office, trainers passed specialized education and certification. Thus, on the conclusion of IPC today the internal training capacity of the bank allows to independently develop its own staff. According to Holger Vifel, he can surely state that "MEGABANK" is one of the most successful banks in microcredit programs in Ukraine.

Chairman of the Management Board of "MEGABANK" Elena Zhukova said that she considers cooperation within MCPU extremely fruitful. It was showed not only in a significant increase in the number of loans, as well as the fact that the bank's employees who work with clients - legal persons could greatly improve their level of qualification. A created last year own Training Centre of "MEGABANK" helps bank professionals to become closer to their regular and potential customers.

Reference. Microcredit program in Ukraine (MCPU) was established in 1997 by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to support micro and small business in Ukraine. Over 14 years of existence as program partners were 10 banks that received technical assistance and support in the development of micro-credit, staff training, overcoming the impact of financial crisis, and in many other directions.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is a financial institution presented in 27 countries from Central Europe to Central Asia. It realizes investment projects aimed on establishment of a market economy and democracy, helping to implement structural and sectoral reforms that promote competition, privatization and entrepreneurship, while taking into account the needs of each country, depending on the stage of development where it is located. Through its investments EBRD favors to private sector development, strengthening of financial institutions and legislation  as well as development of infrastructure which is necessary to support the private sector. The EBRD is one of the founders of Micro-credit programs in Ukraine.

"Internationale Project Consult" (IPC) GmbH – an international consulting company which provides management of microcredit programs in Ukraine. IPC advises banks in developing countries and countries with economies in transition which want to work with micro-, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs). The purpose of such complex consulting projects is to create conditions for lending to MSMEs which involves the opening of microcredit divisions in certain banks. Such projects require constant training of a large number of credit experts, compliance with the relevant procedures and ensure the proper functioning of the entire microcredit structure. Such activity includes initial training and upgrading the skills of staff, back office functions, IT-support, auditing and marketing.

PJSC "MEGABANK" operates in the banking market since 1990. Regional network of "MEGABANK" numbers 199 offices in 25 regions of Ukraine. The bank's assets are UAH 3484 million, loan and investment portfolio - UAH 2 758 million, the bank's capital - UAH 747 million, profit this year - UAH 898 thousand.