The Government Savings Bank (GSB) and EXIM Thailand launch a new joint facility named ‘One Branch Two Banks’ or dual-bank branches at EXIM Thailand Head Office and GSB Bang Rak Branch today. EXIM Thailand plans to open 11 more sub-branches at GSB while streamlining its branch operation to support future expansion. Mr. Lersuk Chuladesa, GSB President and CEO, and Dr. Apichai Boontherawara, President of Export-Import Bank of Thailand (EXIM Thailand), jointly inaugurated GSB Service Point at EXIM Thailand Head Office on December 29, 2008. On the same day, EXIM Thailand’s Sub-branch was opened at GSB Bang Rak Branch to provide services under the ‘One Branch Two Banks’ Policy. Each of these sub-branches offers international banking, export credit insurance, and other financial facilities, including loans and joint venture arrangements to the two banks’ customers.Mr. Lersuk Chuladesa, GSB President and CEO, said that GSB Service Point at EXIM Thailand Head Office was a result from a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on October 1, 2008 with EXIM Thailand. The cooperation would provide Thai entrepreneurs with better access to fully-integrated, speedy and efficient financial services, particularly international trade finance, therefore, boosting export growth. This initiative is also aligned with the Finance Ministry’s policy to increase specialized financial institutions’ (SFIs) value through expertise building and resource sharing. “The ‘One Branch Two Banks’ service is now available at two branches which are GSB Service Point at EXIM Thailand Head Office and EXIM Thailand Sub-branch at GSB Bang Rak Branch. GSB Service Point provides deposit and credit facilities, Premium Savings Certificates, bill payment, ATM, foreign exchange and money transfer and travelers’ check services. While the two banks will continue to jointly expand sub-branches, it is expected that this collaboration would create transactions worth about a billion baht per month. Particularly, for the first year, international business operation conducted via EXIM Thailand is projected to increase by 500 million baht,” said Mr. Lersuk. Dr. Apichai Boontherawara, President of EXIM Thailand, said that EXIM Thailand opened its first sub-branch at Bang Rak to provide loan and banking business services to exporters operating business in Bang Rak district and nearby areas. The export volume in the district is estimated to reach 161.85 billion baht. Under the cooperation with GSB, EXIM Thailand plans to gradually add another 11 sub-branches to the existing ones, namely, Sathu Pradit, Thiwanon, Chakrawad, Bang Bo, Phra Khanong, Ayutthaya, Om Yai, Surat Thani, Phuket, Nakhon Ratchasima and Samut Prakan sub-branches. Each sub-branch has three representatives comprising one manager and two officers. “EXIM Thailand is currently planning to expand its sub-branches and full-scale branches throughout the country to enhance its service coverage. Moreover, the Bank will streamline the operation of sub-branches and branches under a single standard to ensure optimal service efficiency,” said Dr. Apichai.