NTB adds value to SMEs via business forum

Nations Trust Bank Plc (NTB), having been in operation for the past 11 years, is one of the fastest growing banks in Sri Lanka today.

With its continuous growth and branch expansion, a wide range of customised propositions are offered to Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs), which includes working capital finance, long term financing for business expansion and investments, cash management services, trade services for importers and exporters, guarantee facilities, leasing and factoring.

Considered to be one of the most customer centric financial institutions in the financial services industry NTB has the concept of designing and expanding their products and services based on the needs of the different segments of customers they are dealing with.

The SME sector being a key segment for the bank, the bank recently conducted a number of business forums to benefit its business customers in outstation markets on topics such as taxation, and its impact to businesses, access to   finance, financial management, etc. Customers who participated in these business forums included traders, importers, exporters, manufactures and distributors.

The forum was conducted by R.P.L. Weerasinghe, former Commissioner of Inland Revenue and Tax Advisor to the Ministry of Finance and Sudarshan Senaratne, Financial Adviser and Consultant on Financial Management.

The SME customers were given an opportunity to interact and discuss specifics on tax issues relating to the varied businesses. Customers were also to take advantages of the benefits offered through the tax of 2010 budget to further grow their specific business segments to greater heights.

Commenting on this initiative NTB Deputy CEO Renuka Fernando said: “The Small and Medium Entrepreneurs are an important segment for us and we will continuously strive to add value as their financial partner so that they could continue to drive the economy of this country.”

NTB has planned more of these business forums in the future on varied topics that will benefit their SME customers in the different geographies the bank expands its foot print to from time to time.