The state-owned Government Savings Bank (GSB) aims for lending growth in the range of 4-6% next year, focusing on small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) loans.
The bank has set a target for loan growth at 1.5 times the country's economic growth this year, said president and chief executive Chatchai Payuhanaveechai.
To help small-business operators access the bank's financial services and provide them with service in a timely manner, GSB has added 18 lending centres to bring the total to 82 nationwide.
As for savings, Mr Chatchai said the segment is not the bank's main focus, given GSB's liquidity surplus and loan-to-deposit ratio of 90-95%.
The bank expects to exceed its 100-billion-baht target for new loans this year, raising loans outstanding to 2.1 trillion baht.
GSB expects deposits to grow 3%, falling short of its 3.8% target this year, Mr Chatchai said. Total deposits amount to 2.3 trillion baht.
Mr Chatchai said people are paying more attention to savings certificates and the bank's 60 billion baht in savings certificates with a five-year maturity are expected to sell out within 20-30 days, earlier than the expected two months.
The brisk sales of savings certificates show their popularity as a method of saving money, perhaps due to their more attractive interest than banks' savings rates and a feature that enters holders in a raffle drawing.
GSB's net profit is expected to reach 34 billion baht this year, higher than last year's 30 billion. The bank posted a net profit of 28 billion baht for the first 10 months.
Mr Chatchai said the general election in early 2019 will be a boon to the economy, prompting spending during the pre-election period, though he expressed concern about the ongoing US-China trade spat taking a toll on exports.
The country's economic growth is predicted to exceed 4% next year, similar to this year's growth, he said.
"Elections are expected to improve countries' economic conditions by increasing investor confidence and circulation of money in the economy ahead of the election," he said. "As for the bank's business, growth is forecast according to GDP growth and not as drastic as 20-30% as previously."