Briefs:

SAS Software (Thailand) sees a continued rise in demand for data-analysis software as companies are in need of in-depth information to raise their competitiveness during the economic downturn. Kwanchai Lertjulatjan, managing director of the company, referred to the International Data Centre's estimate that the IT investment of large organisations across the world would grow by only 2.6 per cent this year but the growth rate of software for cost-cutting and profit generation would far exceed this rate.

SAS will therefore focus on customer-intelligence and risk-intelligence software to help clients address challenges.

TSFC wins delay in bankruptcy

The Securities and Exchange Commission's Capital Market Supervisory Board has approved an extension to the deadline for TSFC Securities' bankruptcy filing to February 12, according to a statement released yesterday.

"The Capital Market Supervisory Board is of the opinion that TSFC has made continuing progress, has expressed an effort to solve its financial problems and has disclosed financial information to the public. The board has therefore resolved to extend the deadline, as requested by TSFC.

Tisco Bank bonds sold out early

Tisco Bank has completed the sale of its 10-year Bt2-billion bonds to the general public, attributing the success to the maximum coupon rate of 6.5 per cent per annum.

The bonds were first placed on January 5, and the subscription period ended on January 15, though the bank originally planned to stay open for subscription until mid-February.

Suthat Rueangmanamongkon, executive director, said subscriptions had risen significantly as investors wanted to lock in good returns in light of further declines in interest rates.

Taratom launches down-payment plan

Tararom Enterprise, in conjunction with Siam Commercial Bank, has launched a new campaign aimed at helping customers make down payments.

The company is offering new residences under construction for a down payment equal to eight monthly instalments. Customers simply open a deposit account with Siam Commercial Bank and make instalment payments in the odd-numbered months, while the company makes them for the customer in the even-numbered ones. After eight months, the money goes to Tararom as the down payment. - The Nation