OREANDA-NEWS. On November 05, 2008 Megabank launched SME lending program in October, 2007. Microfinance centers were opened in four branch offices (Simpheropol, Dnipropetrivsk, Lviv, Kharkiv), reported the press-centre of Megabank.

In April-September, 2008, new 5 microfinance centers were opened in Kharkiv (second sector), Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Kyiv and Chernyhiv).

To date, the bank marketed two microfinance products: Express loan (up to USD 15,000, unsecured), Microloan (up to USD 300,000, maturity of 5yrs), and loans for commercial transport and commercial real property. The loan acceptance is based on the borrower's business appraisal. As of 01.10.2008, the bank reports UAH 22 mln. microloan portfolio and 340 loan agreements.

Citing Oleg Gaber, Chief Microfinance Officer, as saying: As of 01.10.2008, unsecured Express loan makes over 60% of the bank's loan portfolio. Concerning the loan purposes, about 50% of the loan portfolio is injected as floating assets and 40 % as equity assets into borrowers businesses. 50% of he borrowers run trade business, 40% render services.

By late 2008, the bank will open microfinance centers in 1 or 2 towns and also plans to open a POS in one of the branches, based in Kharkiv Oblast.