It is not for the first year that the financiers have been arguing about the fate of the regional lending institutions, predicting them all kinds of difficulties, up to takeovers by large banks, but year after year the [JegionalsQ despite all the talks, have been showing growth rates comparable to those of federal banks. In an interview with NBJ, Igor GUSEV, chairman of board of OJSC CB Akcept Bank, shared how and what progress was achieved in the unstable year of 2012.

NBJ: What business areas showed the highest profit in 2012?

I. GUSEV: The most effective in 2012 was the loan portfolio in the small and medium-sized business segment. In the retail business segment the best dynamic was demonstrated by mortgages.

NBJ: For the period from January 1, 2012 till January 1, 2013, Bank Akcept's assets grew by almost 24%. How did you manage to achieve such a significant increase in the volume of business?

I. GUSEV: Firstly, due to the constant efforts to optimize the core business processes: lending, retail sales. And secondly, it was also due to the active customer and regional policy, development of new territories in the Siberian Federal District.

NBJ: In 2012, Akcept increased its loan portfolio by 48%. How did you manage to do that in time when all banks are complaining about a drop in the demand for loans?

I. GUSEV: We did not notice any drop in demand in 2012. On the contrary, we have made the credit risk management system more stringent, and have become highly selective in lending. Akcept does not strive to build credit pyramids, therefore, with regard to the corporate segment, at first the financial status of the potential borrower is carefully examined, and the collateral is evaluated. Only when we are convinced that they will be able to fulfill their credit obligations, we begin working on the contract. On the other hand, upon their next application the conscientious clients receive a package of bonuses, from priority consideration of the application to loan interest reduction.

If we talk about the retail sector, there is the same approach. In the retail loan portfolio unsecured loans make a minimum share, there are no express-loans, and the main borrowers are salary receivers whose financial position is transparent for the bank.

In 2012, a product range management mechanism was created, options for some products were significantly modified. The credit product range is highly competitive, so Bank Akcept's loans are in demand in the market.

NBJ: What is the current ratio of corporate and retail business in the structure of the bank's assets?

I. GUSEV: In Bank Akcept the corporate segment's share 1.5 times exceeds that of the retail segment. It suits us. Although Akcept is developing as a universal bank operating in the traditional segments of integrated services to legal entities and individuals, it has specialized in working with enterprises and individual entrepreneurs for more than 20 years already.

NBJ: What, in your view, are the benefits of regional lending institutions compared to federal ones?

I. GUSEV: Bank Akcept's standing is quite stable, as we found our niche - medium-term lending for regional businesses to replenish their cash shortages. Many of our clients finance their investment projects from the resources of large federal banks, but in any business there happen situations of short-term and medium-term shortage of resources. We are able to satisfy this need, as we are very close, and know the peculiarities of the local businesses very well.

NBJ: What are the challenges facing Bank Akcept in 2013?

I. GUSEV: Further regional development. Krasnoyarsk and Kemerovo are on our plans, the implementation of a number of major IT projects, with subsequent reduction in production costs. The shareholders have set quite ambitious bank performance targets - they need to be reached.