‘Sverdlovsk Region banks tend to give more loans to industrial enterprises lately, given especially a certain downfall in the general public’s interest in mortgages,’ Deputy Chairman of the Union of Ural Bankers Evgeniy Bolotin announced at a press conference devoted to banks’ contribution to the country’s economy on May 24, 2007.

‘Equipment used by quite a few regional companies is in dire need of upgrading or replacement, so our industry needs substantial modernization and new technologies. At the same time, banks might find offering loans to industrial businesses even more promising than consumer loans,’ Mr. Bolotin said.