Ms. Duangkamol Limpuangthip, Krungsri Head of SME Banking Group, said "We have seen a continued growth in SME business sector in 2021. In comparison to the previous year, SME loans have grown by over 5% to over 280,000 million baht. As for the relief measures since the spread of the COVID-19, Krungsri has implemented policies to continuously provide solutions for the small and medium-sized (SME) customers who have been affected by the COVID-19 through various proactive measures. We have assisted over 37,000 customers with the total amount of over 180,000 million baht loans, and we will provide our continued supports for SME customers to overcome this crisis. On top of this, we will continue to create business opportunities and offer knowledge-sharing activities to enhance business potential of our customers."
For this 2022, Krungsri continues to move forward to become SME customers' main bank under its 3R-strategy comprising Resilient, Respond and Rebuild for the Future:
- Resilient: Krungsri aims to help SME customers' business to move towards the recovery path by arranging Relationship Managers to take care of such customers who are still affected by the COVID-19 closely and provide various measures to supports the recovery of customers' businesses. As for customers with growth potential, Krungsri is ready to provide supports with loans or other financial solutions to ensure their smooth business growth on the day Thailand's economy begins to improve. In addition, customer supports will also be arranged by industries to meet their different needs.
- Respond: Krungsri aims to serve customers' needs effectively. Krungsri' s Relationship Managers must be able to advise the customers, respond to their financial demands, recommend suitable solutions, and provide value-added services to customers by sharing updated knowledge, know-how and necessary skills for their business' efficiency.
- Rebuild for the Future: Krungsri aims to help customers' businesses prosper in the future by supporting customers' businesses to grow together with the 3 Key Focuses aligned with Krungsri' s business direction. The first focus is ASEAN Connectivity through Krungsri' s collaboration with MUFG and networks to strengthen customer supports in expanding customers' businesses domestically and internationally, including expansion of international fund transfer services and creation of business opportunities for customers through various activities such as seminars or business matching. Also, becoming a Trusted Partner through ecosystems that will become part of customers' lives along with ESG financial innovation developments, such as, solar roof loans for entrepreneurs. Lastly, being a leader in digital and innovation aspects.
"Digital & Innovation will be the key highlight of the SME business sector this year. There are 4 products and services which we focus on: 1. "Krungsri Digital Supply Chain Solution", which is a solution to assist and support businesses in the supply chain and enhance the liquidity for entrepreneurs; 2. "Krungsri Biz Online", also known as KBOL, our digital banking service for business customers, this year, KBOL will continue to develop new features and services to provide digital experiences to the customers; 3. "Krungsri iPro", which is a financial innovation for corporate account opening in this digital era which allows the SME customers to overcome traditional hassles with technologies that facilitate customers with conveniences, reduce paperwork procedures, enable customers to make appointments for account openings at their offices and allow the customers to instantly use such accounts; and 4. "Krungsri Business Link", which is an online business matching platform developed to respond to customers' demands in expanding to both domestic and international markets. This is a more convenient and reliable platform with business partner screening from Krungsri and our partner banks."
"This year is still another challenging year, businesses need to adapt to risks while being resilient to overcome any crisis coming their way. It is also important for businesses to continuously enhance themselves in this digital era. SME Banking Group's primary focus remains on customer business support by using the products, services, and digital and technology solutions as the key drivers so that our SME customers can deal with challenges and grow sustainably. Our targeted growth of SME loans for 2022 has been set at 2.5% in line with Thailand's economic direction." Ms. Duangkamol concluded.
Source: Bank of Ayudhya PCL