Thai Bank Plans 13 Billion Baht in Bond Issues by Year-End.

Byline: Srisamorn Phoosuphanusorn

May 17--The Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand (SME Bank) is planning to issue five billion baht worth of bonds this month, with a second issue worth eight billion baht by the end of this year.

President Samran Bhuanantanondh said the proceeds from the first issue were expected to be used up by the third quarter as the bank stepped up lending to small businesses.

The five-year debentures are expected to carry interest rates at 2.6 percent per year.

Mr Samran said the bank aimed to lend 30 billion baht this year to small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly to those who used loans …