The Jilin branch of the Postal Savings Bank of China (PSBC) -- based in Changchun city, capital of Northeast China's Jilin province -- has invested a large amount to help smaller firms and businesses get back to work, amid the improving COVID-19 epidemic situation.

A total of 24.6 billion yuan ($3.6 billion) was issued in the year to end-August in funding. This was in the form of inclusive loans for resident small and micro-sized enterprises.

The capital demand from small and micro-sized enterprises is characterized by urgently and frequently needed small amounts.

Based on their demands, the PSBC Jilin branch opened fast track funding channels and initiated emergency process channels for the resumption of production.

Zhan Xiaowei, PSBC Taonan branch president, said that in order to fully ensure the sustainable development of leading enterprises, its staff members visited them as soon as the epidemic emerged.

One of the beneficiaries was Hongri Wool Textile Co Ltd, a leading company based in Taonan, administered by Baicheng city in Jilin province.

In 2017, in order to expand its operation, the company secured 18 million yuan in a small enterprise working capital loan granted by the PSBC Taonan branch.

Company founder Geng Yuchun said the latest loan was due in May 2020. But due to the impact of the epidemic, the firm was unable to sell wool and cashmere inventories for repayment at that time -- even at low prices.

"At the most difficult time, PSBC Taonan branch opened up a fast track channel and extended the loan limit of 18 million yuan for another 12 months, solving the urgent need," Geng said.

Affected by the epidemic, many enterprises face the dual pressures of insufficient liquidity and loans that are maturing.

The PSBC Daan branch processed the renewal of a loan -- without repayment of its principal -- for a local oil extraction plant, which relieved the intense financial pressure on the company.

Han Chunling, general manager of the oil extraction plant, said the company started a program in 2017 to help poor householders, by getting people to develop the courtyard economy.

Han said the initiative has helped more than 1,000 poverty-stricken households.

By 2018, its influence had extended to 10 townships and the number of poverty-stricken households whose members were working for the plant had increased substantially.

But due to the COVID-19 epidemic, funds became tight.

"The PSBC has helped us a lot and the company applied for a loan of 2.4 million yuan," Han said.

Shen added that, during the coronavirus outbreak in 2020, the bank handled the business of non-repayment of the principal and the renewal of loans, which eased her repayment pressure.