The Baltic Investment Group Bank (BIG) has added to its range of user options via electronic banking channels, now offering applicants for small loans the chance to authenticate their identity through a bank link and introducing a new, more secure SMS loan service.

To borrow money through the bank link, the applicant must identify him- or herself via Internet bank passwords. At present the BIG bank link is mainly designed for users of hanza.net, although the plan is to expand in future to also include clients of the other universal banks. The system is as simple, safe and convenient as paying for purchases in an online store. Using BIG's Internet services had only been possible up to this point by using your ID card (which you can of course still use).

SMS loans of up to 3000 kroons can still be obtained anywhere and any time, but clients must now already be registered as a BIG user to do so. This can be done in the Internet services section of the BIG website (www.big.ee) or at one of our branches. You only need to register the first time you apply for a loan, during which you can choose the telephone password with which you will later be able to identify yourself. The telephone passwords of BIG clients who have taken out ordinary loans are also valid.

BIG's electronic channels can be used 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As a rule, loans of up to 3000 kroons are transferred to the client's account within 60 minutes of an application being submitted. Applications for larger loans can also be submitted over the Internet, although processing these will take a little longer.

For more information on BIG's latest updates, go to http://www.big.ee/?nodeid=103&lang=en

The Baltic Investment Group Bank (BIG) is an Estonian-owned bank and the largest specialist lender to private clients and companies in the Baltic States after universal banks and leasing firms. BIG's goal is to provide both private and business clients with fast, attentive and flexible financial services. BIG's debt securities are listed on the Tallinn and Stockholm stock exchanges.

For further information please contact:

Kaido Saar
BIG Marketing and Sales Manager
Telephone: +372 630 9920
kaido.saar@big.ee