OREANDA-NEWS. September 01, 2011. The Bank’s main office in the northern capital is teaming up with regional branches of the All-Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Medium and Small business in order to assist local SME, reported the press-centre of Uniastrum.

The working relationship between Uniastrum’s regional offices and OPORA Russia seeks to address the everyday needs of growth-minded small and midsized businesses in Saint Petersburg, specifically by offering the city’s entrepreneurs easier access to banking products and services. The agreement proposes a series of initiatives, including joint workshops for SME owners and staff, the first of which is slated for September. The Bank will also play an active part in events and functions to be hosted by OPORA Russia in Saint Petersburg.

Important elements of the collaborative relationship include joint activities geared toward prompting a change in Russian legislation regarding access to banking services for the SME community, improving entrepreneurs’ financial literacy, and helping them to develop their businesses.

Uniastrum has maintained a presence in Saint Petersburg for over 7 years. Since 2007 the Bank’s local branch has worked actively with small and midsized enterprises. Today Uniastrum offers small and unincorporated businesses an exclusive package of borrowing options called “Sensible Credit”, enabling them to choose a more individualized financing scheme matching their objectives and financial strength and/or specific projects. Becoming a Uniastrum customer couldn’t be easier. Between August 1 and November 30, 2011 the Bank is running a special offer called “Sensible Money Management” for business clients, enabling them to open a checking account and hook up to the Internet Bank Client network free of charge.

“OPORA Russia and Uniastrum continue to collaborate on holding free conferences and master classes for SME owners and personnel, who receive advice on how best to run their businesses and on which tools to use for implementing successful projects,” says Kirill Tikhonov, the Bank’s Managing Director for Corporate Business Development. “We consistently call on the SME community to actively participate in these initiatives – after all, if the market is to grow and prosper, joint effort is absolutely crucial.”