OREANDA-NEWS. January 20, 2012. Uniastrum Bank’s small enterprise client base currently numbers around 3,000 businesses headquartered in all areas of the Russian Federation, some 50% more than this time last year. Thanks to Uniastrum’s proactive attitude toward the country’s small business community outside the capital, branch offices accounted for more than 90% of the Bank’s overall SB credit portfolio as of year-end 2011. Meantime, Uniastrum remains committed to building its working relationships with SME assistance funds nationwide, issuing loans guaranteed by 35 regional funds.

Uniastrum’s core business customer base remains wholesale and retail traders, as well as enterprises operating in the services sector. Nevertheless, 2011 saw a sustained uptrend in the number of Bank clients working in areas such as manufacturing, transport, communications, and farming.

Last year Uniastrum initiated its special Sensible Credit multi-option loan package for small businesses, which enables borrowers to choose a program to suit their individual needs depending on their goals, requirements and area of operation. Uniastrum also offers small businesses credit as part of a government-sponsored program to help small and medium enterprises operated by SME Bank. In 2011 Uniastrum distributed over Rb 5.2 bn in credited funds under the program.

“Uniastrum Bank continues to consolidate its leadership positions on the nation’s SB lending market. Solid growth in 2011 was primarily thanks to our attractive loan terms and the high quality of the service offered,” notes Kirill Tikhonov, Deputy Chairman of Uniastrum’s Management Board. “On the one hand, we provide business owners prepackaged solutions, which makes for prompt and efficient service, while on the other hand our loan officers are always on hand to help enterprises structure their projects effectively with a view to maximizing the benefits afforded from taking out a Uniastrum loan.”