OREANDA-NEWS. July 1, 2011. In Krasnodar on July 2 the Bank will present awards to enterprises winning the “Best Innovative Project” category in the latest regional round of the nationwide competition Business Success 2011

The competition, which aims to find the best company in the region in 9 categories, will take place against the backdrop of the Russia-wide SME conference Business Success 2011 organized by the All-Russian Non-Governmental Organization OPORA Russia, media group OPORA-Credit, and the Russian Bank for Development. Acting in its capacity of official sponsor, Uniastrum will award prizes to enterprises judged to be the best innovative companies in the Krasnodar region, also offering them cut-price credit.

Uniastrum Bank’s Krasnodar branch continues to work closely with the region’s small business community, expanding its SB loan portfolio 4.5-fold to Rb 540 mn in 2010, during which around Rb 569 mn in credits were issued, up 5-fold on the year-earlier result. The first quarter of 2011 saw the branch disburse a total Rb 111 mn in loans, upsizing its portfolio 13.5% to Rb 613 mn as of April 1, 2011.

The Business Success 2011 conference in Krasnodar will bring together local small and midsized concerns, government officials, the heads of OPORA Russia, as well as experts from Russia’s biggest banks. Visitors to Uniastrum’s display booth will have an opportunity to find out more about the Bank’s special SME options, obtain specialist advice, and apply for loans under Uniastrum’s “Sensible Credit” multi-program lending package. Conspicuous advantages of the Bank’s new SB loan scheme include competitive rates, generous repayment periods, quick and easy access to cash, no hidden extras, and favorable terms for renegotiating loans with other banks.

“It’s entirely logical that Uniastrum Bank should sponsor the competition’s “Best Innovative Project” category,” notes Svetlana Chubakova, Uniastrum Vice President for Small Business Development. “After all, we take genuine pleasure in supporting companies contributing to today’s innovation marketplace and Russian science”.