OREANDA-NEWS. April 28, 2012. Based on FY11 results, Uniastrum is one of Russia’s Top-10 SME financers, according to Expert RA agency, the Bank’s SME loan portfolio ranking 7th nationwide in terms of size, up 6 notches year-on-year. Over the same period, Uniastrum moved up 11 places to 9th position based on the total value of credit disbursed, reported the press-centre of Uniastrum.

In 2011 Russia’s SME finance market grew 19% to Rb 3.8 trn, according to research carried out by Expert RA rating agency. In other words, last year growth of Uniastrum Bank’s SME credit portfolio outpaced the market average 6.5-fold.

Uniastrum’s ongoing success in this segment is thanks largely to its integrated approach to Bank-customer relationships, its high-caliber multi-product program package Smart Loan, shorter loan approval times, and active collaboration with SME Bank on a government-sponsored program for assisting small and midsized businesses. An equally important factor is Uniastrum’s commitment to providing SME clients with efficient, high-quality service, which it ensures by the deployment of state-of-the-art technologies. Last year, for example, saw the Bank simplify online application procedures for borrowers by harnessing CRM solutions.

Small and medium-size concerns show a marked preference for long-term investment loans, which currently account for 78% of Uniastrum’s SME credit portfolio. Meanwhile, the Bank continues to devise special offers for a diverse client spectrum, including an exclusive program for leasing companies, and shortly plans to launch similar schemes for enterprises operating in the trade and passenger transport sectors.

“Expanding and improving our SME lending operation is one of the Bank’s strategic priorities,” notes Svetlana Chubakova, Uniastrum’s Vice President for Small Business Development. “Since the second half of 2009 Uniastrum has been one of the country’s strongest players on the SME finance market, and, as the results clearly demonstrate, continues to go from strength to strength in this area.”