VKF_FRAE_2017

55 VakıfBank Annual Report 2017 VakıfBank became the first bank to provide ESCO contract financing under the scope of the World Bank’s SME Energy Efficiency Loan program. » » In the scope of the SME Energy Efficiency Loan agreement with the World Bank, VakıfBank provides financing to the energy efficiency investments of enterprises. In the context of energy service companies’ (ESCO) projects using energy performance contracts, VakıfBank was designated “the first bank to provide an ESCO contract financing under the World Bank’s SME Energy Efficiency Program.” In addition, SMEs taking out loans under this scheme were provided with grants from the Global Environment Fund (GEF). » » VakıfBank continued to finance the operational, export and investment-related needs of SME, commercial and corporate segment companies in Turkey. The incremental facility secured from European Bank for Reconstruction and Development was disbursed to meet the financing needs of agricultural producers and companies in the agricultural value chain in the form of TURAFF Agricultural Enterprise Financing Loan. » » Under the Greater Anatolia Guarantee Facility program signed by the Bank and EIB, a loan facility was secured to meet the financing needs of SMEs and commercial companies in the Regions with Development Priority (43 provinces in the 12 NUTS regions). » » In order to bolster rural development and agricultural sectors in Turkey, VakıfBank secured a EUR 80 million resource from French Development Agency (AFD) to meet the business, export and investment loan needs of micro-, small- and medium- sized businesses, cooperatives, producers’ associations and farmers. » » In celebration of its 63 rd Anniversary, VakıfBank offered SMEs the 62 nd Anniversary Loan featuring a 36-month payback period, affordable interest rates, and a documentation fee of only TL 63. The Bank financed the summer season cash needs with the Summer Loan Campaign at attractive interest rates with options including a three-month grace period. » » At the end of 2017, the Bank launched the Early Welcome to 2018 Loan Campaign with a rarely seen four-month grace period, in order to meet the rising cash needs of SMEs and help them go through the last months of 2017 without financial trouble. » » The Bank also offered loans at advantageous terms to craftsmen under its Compassionate Loans to Craftsmen scheme, designed to meet craftsmen’ unexpected financial needs in interim periods through customized products. »» GOALS FOR 2018 » » VakıfBank is the strength by its SME customers, in line with its vision of the Leading Bank of Strong Turkey. As such, the Bank will continue its support to SMEs in 2018, keep a close watch on customer needs, and strive to provide top quality services. In 2018, the Bank will continue its efforts to provide financial and non-financial services to SMEs as well as giving a sort of consultancy service to SMEs by meeting their operational needs. » » As a natural result of the continuous progress and diversification in technological developments, the Bank will go on providing practical solutions to SMEs via its digital channels. In this scope, the Commercial Mobile Banking app will be enriched, and SMEs will be able to access numerous products and services via mobile phones, from anywhere. Thanks to the Women Entrepreneurs Support Package, more than 1,200 women entrepreneurs were offered enterprise, workplace and export loans.