FINANCE
Finance News
#INTERVIEW From the outset of the coronavirus outbreak, banks have been ready to help clients
euros. That’s in addition to the government
through these uncertain times. The Dutch Banking Association, or NVB, was set
assistance packages. Regular credit to
up to promote the interests of the banks in the Netherlands. Measures being taken
businesses will continue as well, which is
now to combat the pandemic are having a sweeping economic impact. Hello Zuidas
rather unusual in times of crisis. And we’ve
caught up with Chris Buijink, president of the Dutch Banking Association, to talk
been rigging all this up from home. It may
about the coronavirus crisis and its effects.
be quiet in Zuidas, but it’s buzzing on the digital superhighway!’
What role may the NVB play
discussions with the Dutch administration
during the coronavirus crisis?
on adapting existing programmes, like the
The NVB has been issuing
‘Back in March, banks had already decided
Credit guarantee for SMEs and Corporate
coronavirus monitors. What are they
to support businesses whose operations
financing guarantee to the coronavirus
exactly, and who are they for?
were hit by the outbreak. Banks offered six
crisis. This led to the adoption of our
‘We wanted to show the extent to which
months’ deferment on outstanding loan
proposal to create a Small credit guarantee
banks are giving businesses some slack to
repayments. The NVB was also involved in
for SMEs, providing loans up to 50,000
weather the crisis. The 2 October monitor
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