The growth of small business has prompted Suncorp to meet the increasing demand for financial services in this sector, by rolling out a range of new initiatives including a direct dial call centre dedicated to assisting its small business customers.
Suncorp's executive general manager small business Peter Larsen said the bank had seen significant growth in its small business portfolio.
"Small businesses now represent more that 95% of all Australian businesses, with demand for goods and services they provide increasing every year."
"In the last year alone our small business banking portfolio has expanded by 15% and deposits have risen by 19%."
To support this growth, Suncorp has introduced a number of new initiatives to provide small business owners with financial advice and assistance tailored to their needs.
David Harrys has been appointed as the new national small business manager, a role which was established by the bank several years ago to ensure the growing small business market got the attention it deserved.
"David has been with Suncorp for eight years in a number of product management roles for retail mortgage and customer lending products, as well as lending strategy," Mr Larsen said.
"I'm confident that his knowledge of the business and his depth of experience will add further strength to the small business portfolio, while maintaining our strong customer focus."
Mr Harry said the bank had developed a number of new products to meet the needs of business owners.
"In February this year, we launched a call centre, with a number - 13 11 75 - for our small business customers. Customers who call this number are put directly in touch with a business consultant in our call cetre."
"Through the call centre, customers can currently have small value loans, credit cards and bank guarantees approved. We hope to add these services over the coming months."
"We are incredibly pleased with the response so far - it has already proven to be a useful tool for our customers."
"A new package that links a low cost EFTPOS system with our Business Investment Account Options - a high interest transaction account - has proved very popular as it allows small business owners to earn interest daily on the cash flow."
"The package gives business owners free terminal rental for up to 12 months and allows them to start earning high interest sooner as all EFTPOS transactions are settled on the same day they occur, seven days a week."
Mr Larsen said he was keen to optimise the intermediary business channels and eventually established more small business centres in Queensland.
"Customers focus will continue to be our priority and we are working on a number of new products and services to meed the needs and demands of our small business customers."
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