In Brief: IPF in Russia, Banks aim to reunite cash, and more

INTERNATIONAL Personal Finance, which specialises in small, unsecured cash loans, has has issued its first loan in Moscow as part of a pilot operation in Russia.

The Leeds-based provider opened its head office of Russian subsidiary IPF Bank and its first branch in Moscow earlier this year.

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TWO of the UK’s biggest banks have launched campaigns to try to reunite consumers with millions of pounds left in unused accounts.

Halifax is trying to hand back £29.6m to people who have not touched their account for 15 years, while HSBC aims to help 17,000 customers reclaim £24m.

The drive is being launched ahead of the introduction of the Government’s Unclaimed Assets Scheme, the bill for which is currently going through Parliament.

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ASIF Choudry, sales and marketing director with Resource Print Solutions (RPS), has been named as a fellow of Leeds-based business start up organisation The Unit.

Mr Choudry recently linked up with The Unit, based at Park Lane College in Leeds, to provide free expert sales and marketing advice to new businesses.

He is currently working businesses in The Unit to help improve their sales strategy including contact systems, customer relationship management (CRM), marketing and forecasts.

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A NEW networking forum – The Kirklees Curry Club – is being launched as a joint initiative between business funder Cattles Invoice Finance and HSBC.

The inaugural event, which is being held at the Aakash Restaurant in Cleckheaton, will take place on September 25 from 4pm and aims to address the shortage of high quality networking opportunities in the area.

Due to take place bi-monthly, the Kirklees Curry Club will target business professionals from across the region offering them informal and well connected networking in a convenient location.

Scott Grant, senior commercial manager for HSBC, added: “We are delighted to be involved in this new networking club for the local business community. We hope that this and future events will be one that key decision-makers will not miss.”

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BUSINESS owners and those thinking of starting a business in the Ryedale area are being invited to attend the next meeting of the Ryedale Business Network

The evening will feature a presentation by representatives of Business Link Yorkshire, describing its recent reorganisation and explaining how it can help those who are new to running their own business.
The Network enjoys a close relationship with Business Link, which offers a wide range of support, advice and training to businesses across the region.

Nick Teasdale of IKnowIT will also be demonstrating how the Ryedale Business Network’s website offers members the opportunity to promote their company and generate business via the internet even if they do not have their own website.
The event will take place at the Talbot Hotel in Malton on September 24.

For more information visit www.ryedalebusinessnetwork.co.uk.