In 2008, in terms of the number of loans it issued to SMEs, Center-invest was the top performer of all the banks participating in the Rostov Region SME Development Programme.

Center-invest provided SMEs with 7646 loans totalling RUR17.5bn.

Center-invest Bank accounted for 46.5% of the total number of loans issued and for 31.5% of their total value. Moreover, in the small-scale farming sector, it accounted for 49% and 41% of the total value and total number, respectively.

Center-invest Bank has been running programmes to support SMEs in southern Russia for ten years. Today, 37,000 SMEs and self-employed individuals choose to bank with Center-invest.

For over three years now Center-invest Bank has been operating a 'hot line' for SMEs. Since it was set up, this service has provided businesses in the Rostov region with more than 6,000 free legal consultations (www.hotline.centrinvest.ru).