OREANDA-NEWS. July 28, 2011. Center-Invest Bank’s results for 1H 2011 reflect a successful six months. Our loan portfolio increased by 17%, or RUR5.5bn, to reach RUR36bn. More than 10% of Center-Invest loans are used for business modernization projects, which are delivering annual growth for our customers of 30-40%. The growth in the loan portfolio can be attributed to the implementation of the bank’s Strategy for the Modernization of SMEs in Southern Russia, and the use of new financial products and modern information technologies, reported the press-centre of Center-Invest Bank.

The bank’s retail loan portfolio exceeded RUR11bn. In the first half of 2011, we issued more than 10,000 retail loans with a total value of RUR4bn.

Retail deposits amounted to RUR25.2bn. It is evident that the population of southern Russia is choosing Center-Invest as a reliable bank and partner.

SME lending in 1H 2011 was RUR28bn.

In July 2011, Center-Invest Bank launched a new programme for aspiring entrepreneurs: "Start Up". This programme offers a comprehensive range of services to entrepreneurs wishing to start up or restructure a business. It includes the following services:

three-year loans to finance new business projects, with a 6-month grace period,

free business banking for the first 12 months, including access to our business banking service “Bank-Client”,

free of charge advice on business planning and available government services,

free of charge tax and legal consultancy.

With respect to corporate lending, Center-Invest Bank lent in excess of RUR35bn to more than 7 500 companies.

With an emphasis on lending to the real sector of the economy, to SMEs, and to companies seeking to introduce energy efficient equipment, Center-Invest Bank is helping both to maintain social stability in southern Russia and to promote the post-crisis development of businesses in the region.

Successful companies in the region are choosing to use Center-Invest cards to pay their employee salaries. Currently, 1433 companies are running salary projects together with Center-Invest.

In the first half of 2011, Center-Invest customers implemented 44 new energy efficiency projects, with loans from the bank totalling RUR278m. These projects will reduce СО2 emissions by 8291.1 tonnes. Since 2005, the bank has financed 266 energy efficiency projects with loans totalling more than RUR2.5bn.

Assisted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Center-Invest Bank has set up an International Energy Efficiency Centre. The aim of the centre is to encourage the sharing of experience relating to the introduction of energy efficiency technologies in industry and the housing and communal services sector.

A notable event for the bank in the first half of 2011 was the placement it’s 3 years RUR bonds. The funds raised will be used for the ongoing implementation of the bank’s Strategy for the Modernization of SMEs in Southern Russia.