Thailand's TMB Bank focuses on lending to exporters

TMB Bank wants to build its export loan portfolio by adding attractive features for supply-chain solutions for exporters and their suppliers.

The bank wants to lend more to exporters, as the country relies on this sector to drive economic growth..

Export represents 75 per cent of gross domestic product, said TMB Bank chief executive officer Boontuck Wungcharoen, who believes the export situation still has good momentum.

"Everyone knows the export [situation] is not good, but the challenge for us is how to help customers increase efficiency and lower costs. We must improve financial products and services to help customers during these difficult times, so supply-chain solutions are our focus because they can help the competitiveness of our customers," he said.

TMB has strongly promoted its supply-chain solutions in the past two years to increase customers' financial liquidity. Major companies such as Siam Cement Group, PTT and Boon Rawd Brewery have used the programmes.

Boontuck said the economic slowdown was a challenge for the bank because TMB had projected loan growth of 15 per cent for this year but recorded only 6 per cent in the first half, meaning it must boost loans by 9 per cent in the second half.

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