In the first half of 2010, in terms of the number of loans made to SMEs for investment purposes and to provide working capital (excluding car loans), Center-Invest Bank was the top performer of the banks participating in the Rostov Region SME Development Programme.

Center-Invest Bank accounts for 34.5% of the total number of SME loans made in the Rostov region under this programme in the first half of the year (2290 loans out of 6635) and for 32.4% of their value (RUB8.7bn out of RUB26.8bn).

Center-Invest Bank has been running programmes to support SMEs in southern Russia for thirteen years. Today, 40,000 SMEs and self-employed individuals bank with us.

According to RosBusinessConsulting, we rank 5th among all Russian banks in terms of total value of SME lending, 7th in terms of the total number of SME loans, and 9th by loan portfolio.

Center-Invest Bank's products for SMEs include: credit lines, investment project finance, equipment leasing, and trade finance. Thanks to our wide range of services and products and also our experience in this sector, we are able to respond quickly to requests for business loans and adopt a flexible approach.

We have entered into agreements with the SME Guarantee Funds in the Rostov and Volgograd regions, Krasnodar Krai and Stavropol Krai. These guarantee funds are helping our business customers by providing additional loan security.

Center-Invest Bank began operating a 'hot line' for SMEs more than four years ago. This service provides businesses in the Rostov region with free legal consultations.