The region has the biggest percentage of loans disbursed to foreigners in the country;

By the seaside men are saving more than women.

The small business in the region of Burgas continues to count on tourism and most often applies for loans by which to ensure the smooth operations in the season. The main focus are trade, transport and services related to modern-day hospitality These are observations of UniCredit Bulbank, presented by Pasquale Giamboi, Head of Retail Banking and member of the Supervisory Board of UniCredit Bulbank, who was in town for the opening of the renovated branch of the bank on 22 Aleksandrovska Str.

An important part of the new branch is its self-service zone where clients can obtain the most frequently used banking services 24/7.

UniCredit Bulbank has invested in the restoration of the branch, as it is located in an important historical building in the very center of Burgas and is an important part of the appearance and the history of the town. Ever since its completion in 1930, a part of this building has been used for bank offices. In certain periods the edifice has also been an art gallery. The restored building now has the original façade colors as they were in the 1930s.

The branch was opened at the end of last week with a stylish cocktail for the bank’s clients and partners. In the spotlight of the event was the exclusive show given for the guests of the bank by Saverio Palma, the world famous coiffeur, who demonstrated his talent first in front of the clients of UniCredit Bulbank.

"Good news for the whole region is that one of the most important sectors – the SME sector, is active. Our observations on the basis of the disbursed loans in this sector show a 10% growth in lending in the past year despite the difficulties and uncertainty in the economic and the political environment in the country", Giamboi said. According to him, companies most frequently use loans for working capital and investment loans. By information as at the end of April, the sum total of loans disbursed to SMEs by UniCredit Bulbank is BGN 73 million. This represents about one fourth of the whole credit portfolio of the Bank for the region, which is BGN 301.7 million.

The most popular banking product among households is the mortgage loan. To a large extent though the growth in these loans is driven also by foreigners who buy properties in the seaside town using financing by the bank. "To us this is the region with the biggest number of loans of foreign citizens, and these are the Russians", Giamboi pointed out.

An increase of about 10% is seen by UniCredit Bulbank also in deposits in Burgas Region to a total amount of about BGN 307 million as at the end of April this year. According to Mr. Giamboi, this growth is proof that clients have confidence in the bank as their partner. Figures show that currently the increase in SME deposits (of 18% p.a.) is twice as big as the growth among households.

Families in Burgas keep on deposit with UniCredit Bulbank a total of BGN 258 million, and it turns out that men are saving more – they hold 55% of all deposits.

Naturally, the most funds saved in the bank are those of people between 45 and 65 years old – in Burgas region 45% of all deposits are namely of people above middle age and still actively working. The share of savings of people between 30 and 44 years old and those over 65 years old is respectively 18 and 19%. The greatest interest is that in deposits in EUR, followed by BGN and USD.

More information for clients:

UniCredit Bulbank, Call Centre

Phone: 0700 1 84 84

More information for media:

UniCredit Bulbank, Identity & Communications Department

Viktoria Blajeva, Phone: + 359 2 9264 993, wjlj/ebwjepwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

Ekaterina Ancheva, Phone: + 359 2 9264 963, flbufsjob/bodifwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

Magdalena Ivanova, Phone: + 359 2 9232 528, nbhebmfob/jwbopwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch