Kasikorn Bank has reported that in 2017, its corporate client business exceeded targets, with loans to large customers growing by 12% driven by key industries such as real estate, construction, and food and beverage. For 2018, the bank expects continued economic expansion supported by the EEC and Digital Economy, resulting in overall loan growth of 6-8% and fee income growth of 2-5%.

Mr. Suwat Techawattanawana, Deputy Managing Director of Kasikorn Bank, revealed that the corporate client business segment, which manages large business clients, had total loans of 573.521 billion baht in 2017, marking a 12% increase from 2016, with total revenue reaching 24.882 billion baht, an 8% growth, and fee income of 12.153 billion baht, up 9%. This growth exceeded targets due to strong support from key industries in real estate, construction, and food and beverage.

Mr. Panop Angsusing, head of the investment banking division, added that Thailand's large-scale infrastructure investments, real estate development along the subway lines, and increased investments in expanding large businesses have led to a diverse range of funding needs in the business sector, including REIT issuance, joint loans, project financing, capital raising for acquisitions, and seeking joint ventures, as well as entering the stock market. Last year, the bank's clients had the highest IPO offerings in the market, totaling 54 billion baht.

Mr. Sinwat Santivisath, Deputy Managing Director, further emphasized that the bank is promoting and connecting clients' payment and collection channels through digital technology and leading innovations to enhance competitive efficiency, aligning with the government's National e-Payment policy and the consumer shift towards a cashless society. This is evident from the continuous increase in electronic transaction volumes, such as a 60% rise in electronic banking users, a 20% increase in electronic international trade services, a 21% increase in electronic guarantee transactions, and a 57% increase in electronic payment collections through channels like ATMs, K Cyber Banking, and K PLUS. This trend indicates a clear shift towards electronic systems in 2018, as clients can conveniently and efficiently connect transaction data, while retail clients are increasingly using mobile transactions like K PLUS and QR Codes, further driving large businesses to adopt technology to meet the demands of a cashless society and create new revenue and opportunities.

Mr. Suwat concluded that in 2018, the economic growth trend is expected to continue due to signs of recovery in Thailand's trading partners, growth in export figures, and better-than-expected tourism expansion from the previous year, alongside clearer and more tangible government investment support, particularly in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) projects, which are anticipated to be a key driver of investment in 2018, with progress already made in several areas.

The National Legislative Assembly's approval of the draft law for the Eastern Special Development Zone will be a significant starting point for building investor confidence in the private sector, which will have a long-term impact on large-scale investments in the EEC area. Kasikorn Research Center estimates that the stimulus from the law will increase investment promotion requests from 283 billion baht in 2017 to 400 billion baht by 2025.

The Digital Economy is another significant economic driver that business clients are highly interested in. The bank plays a role in connecting business clients with individual clients in the digital world by engaging various business partners to maximize benefits across the business cycle, including business clients, partners, and individual clients, through digital financial tools such as EDC machines, QR Payments, and the K PLUS app to meet the lifestyle needs of all customer segments.

Based on these forecasts, the economy is expected to improve this year, supported by favorable factors like the EEC and Digital Economy. The bank is confident it can help clients grow continuously and achieve set targets, with overall loan growth of 6-8% and fee income growth of 2-5%.