Thai Credit Bank Public Company Limited (SET: CREDIT) has announced a major milestone: “SME Kla-hai” has helped the Bank’s micro SME portfolio exceeded 100 billion baht in 2024.
Building on this success, the Bank has introduced a new product, ‘SME Kla Su,’ designed to encourage micro SME entrepreneurs to stand up and overcome business challenges. The Bank adopts a Risk-based Pricing strategy, offering flexible interest rates tailored to individual risk levels aiming to break down barriers micro SMEs face when applying for loans. This launch is part of the Bank’s continuous commitment to its ‘STANDBY SME’ mission, marked by the kick-off of its ‘Always STANDBY’ campaign, which includes an inspiring song and other four short films under the theme “Thai Credit always stand by you.”
Mr. Roy Agustinus Gunara, Thai Credit Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, stated: “Micro SMEs are the backbone of the Thai economy. Despite their growth potential, many still struggle to access formal funding that’s why we developed the ‘SME Kla-hai’ of which was officially launched in 2019, and it has been very well received.”
“In just 6 years, ‘SME Kla-hai’ has shown a significant growth with the market share increasing from 2% in 2019 to 8% in 2024. During 2019-2024, our micro SME segment has also seen robust growth: new booking volume was over 180,000 million baht, reaching over 28,000 booking cases, whilst our micro SME loan balance’s CAGR hit 26.9%, now totaling over 100 billion baht.” Mr. Gunara said.
Mr. Gunara added, “Beyond growth, our key challenge was to break barriers from conventional loan assessment models to opportunity to funding, while still managing risks effectively. Over 6 years, we’ve maintained double-digit growth in micro SME portfolio, 12.8% growth YOY in 2024, while keeping non-performing loans (NPL) at 3.7% in 2024. This contrasts with the industry-wide figures, where loans under 500 million baht declined by 5% and NPL rose to 7.01%. Looking ahead to 2025, Thai Credit Bank will focus on two strategic areas: core loan growth and digital transformation. SME Kla-hai product remains priority in this effort.”
Mr. Natus Kittawaranon, Senior Executive Vice President of Micro SME Business Group, Thai Credit Bank, stated: “With a slow economic recovery and stricter credit policies, many micro SMEs struggle to access traditional funding. To address this, we are introducing a Risk-Based Pricing model for the first time to micro SME entrepreneurs. This approach enables us to offer financing within an acceptable risk limit. The Bank’s new product ‘SME Kla Su’ offers credit limit maximum of 10 million baht, 5 times of Bank deposit as collateral, with an interest rate starting at just 6.95% per year. The product is aimed to help micro SMEs be able to access emergency funding and grow sustainably through the current economic downturn.”
Mr. Natus also announced, “credit limit for ‘SME Kla-hai Tem Max’ product has been increased from 35 million baht to 50 million baht to support micro SME business expansion. Thai Credit Bank is also building new touch point through Business Centers across the country, in line with our promise of always STANDBY SME.”
“As part of the ‘Always STANDBY’ campaign, Thai Credit Bank has released a special version of the song ‘แค่มี’ adapted with new lyrics to reflect the Bank’s mission. Music video and four accompanying short films tell stories of resilience and determination of micro SME entrepreneurs, by having Thai Credit as an assistant through their journeys. The campaign also conveys encouragement, care, and goodwill to micro SMEs across Thailand.”
