VTB will join the state program of preferential lending to SMEs in reunified regions

It is aimed at supporting and developing entrepreneurship and restoring business activity in the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions, said Denis Bortnikov, Deputy President and Chairman of the Board of VTB. In total, during its work in the reunified regions, VTB provided SMEs with more than 28 billion rubles of financing.

"VTB is consistently increasing its support for small and medium-sized businesses in the reunified regions, expanding the range of government and its own financing programs. By the end of 2025, we have concluded agreements with entrepreneurs worth 78 billion rubles, thanks to which housing is being actively built, communications, trade, industry and natural resource extraction are developing. VTB's participation in program No. 888, focused primarily on small businesses, will allow entrepreneurs to stabilize operations, invest in development and expand the number of jobs," said Bortnikov.

As part of the program, entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to receive financing in the amount of up to 50 million rubles for up to three years. Funds can be used for business-related purposes. The preferential loan rate will be fixed and will amount to 10% per annum, with mandatory sponsorship from the SME Corporation.

Program No. 888 is another tool implemented in addition to the all—Russian measures to support medium and small businesses.