BDC-loyal and committed to Saskatchewan.

Ordinary two-word tag lines do not give justice to the people at the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). For example, you don't reach the heart of the matter when you simply describe Kurt Carlson as a bank manager. Even affixing the phrase 'business development bank manager' to his title doesn't quite say it all. Only when you add the words 'in Saskatchewan' to the introduction do you draw a complete picture.

As a national Crown corporation BDC has bank managers and account managers offering outstanding financing solutions and delivering superb business consulting services across the country. The difference in BDC's Saskatchewan approach is seen in the undeniable loyalty and affection their employees have for this province.

"We have always been responsive to the particular needs of Saskatchewan businesses," Carlson asserts. "As evidenced by the working capital loans we made available during the BSE crisis--a measure unmatched by other lenders--we continue to be there to support Saskatchewan businesses."

The opportunity to help local Saskatchewan companies, whether their annual sales are measured in the thousands or the multi-millions, inspires BDC Account Manager Ryan McLean. He marvels at the combination of work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit possessed by business operators in this province.

"A company we recently started working with had been growing at a rate of 500 per cent per year and that devotion was evident in the time, commitment and effort they put into their business," McLean says. "We were very happy to enter into a long-term relationship with them."

The company's need for flexible, project-based financing made BDC a perfect choice. BDC's innovative approach often takes them beyond the bounds of traditional financing and into full-financing arrangements that apply BDC features such as fixed or floating rates and repayment schedules tailored to a company's working capital needs.

BDC also serves as a resource complimentary to other financial institutions. Companies heavily involved in exporting, explains BDC Senior Manager, Loans Lyndon Holm, have many different reasons for seeking additional working capital.

"For example, if a company is revising its production standard to make its product more saleable to a different market they're going to be making heavy investments," Holm says. "If you're an exporter in today's market with the high Canadian dollar there is nothing you can do to run a more profitable business except make your operations more efficient.

"Whether you need better equipment or more refined business processes to become more productive, we have the financing and consulting services available to make it happen."

Credit decisions at BDC take into account project viability and cash flow from business operations. Financing and venture capital commitments are made based on the presence of seasoned management teams, solid business plans, market opportunities for sustained growth and technologies that have broad applications to varied product lines and diverse industries.

BDC's Consulting Group expands on this dynamic philosophy. Professional advisors work every day with Saskatchewan businesses to assess, plan and implement cost-efficient management solutions that make sense for the province's growing number of companies involved in knowledge-based industries, emerging technologies and the export sector.

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Companies just starting out count on BDC advisors for help in creating a business plan and financial planning while growth-oriented businesses use BDC services to ensure company-wide expansion. Companies venturing into the export market and e-business increase their chances of success when they tap into the experience of BDC specialists.

"Whatever your company's development stage, we have the business consulting expertise to see you through," Carlson says. "The BDC advantage is its ability to offer flexible financing terms through tailor-made solutions.

"We take great pride in our solid commitments to small and medium-sized companies in Saskatchewan and look forward to establishing many more long-term partnerships."

Business Development Bank of Canada

Suite 320, Bank of Canada Building (2220-12th Avenue), Regina, SK S4P 0M8

Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] www.bdc.ca