MSMEs urge to tap in Diamond Bank’s lending scheme
BY PETER EGWUATU
Operators of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) segment of the nation’s economy have been advised to tap into the enormous opportunities available in Diamond Bank to help grow their businesses.
Mr Garry Marsh, Senior Advisor, Retail/ Private Banking, Diamond Bank Plc; Mrs Sable Badaki, CEO/MD, Talent Right and Mr Makanjuola Ojewumi, Principal Partner, Makanjuola Ojewumi & Co., at the Diamond Bank 13th BusinessXpress Enterprise seminar, held at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State
In his welcome address at the 13th edition of Diamond Bank BusinessXpress Enterprise seminar held in Ibadan, Oyo State at the weekend, Senior Advisor, Retail/Private Banking, Mr. Garry Marsh, said the bank is firmly committed and passionate to helping small businesses grow, stressing that it was in line with the bank’s industry leadership role in funding the sub sector because of its strategic importance to the economy.
Marsh disclosed that since the bank launched the product in September 2009, it has so far disbursed N17 billion to small business operators, adding that the bank has lending capacity to keep supporting the sub sector.
According to him “Our reason for the product is to help grow small businesses. We are passionate to see them succeed by providing necessary assistance. Since we came up with the product about two years ago, we have disbursed over N17 billion.
This year alone we have disbursed about N6 billion. We have assisted over 800 businesses and still has lending capacity. It has attracted over 70,000 account holders.”
He further said that feedback from the customers had been overwhelming, stressing that the bank has concluded plans to set up a business club where members would meet periodically to socialize, network and learn from each other.
He said the bank has entered into partnership with USAID for the health sector, adding that the bank is also extending the success story to the education sector.
Topics discussed at the seminar include: Four ways to grow your business by Olugbolahan Mark_George of Mark_George Consultants,; Breaking the barriers to business growth in an emerging economy by Makanjuola Ojewumi, Principal, Makanjuola Ojewumi & Co and Attract and Retain high potential talent by Mrs Sable Badaki, CEO/MD, Talent Right, among others.
In his presentation at the event, Diamond Bank’s Coordinator, MSME Propositions, Mr. Chima Nnadozie, said the Diamond BusinessXpress was developed specifically to add value to small businesses, adding that apart from loan facility and seminar, account holders get free business guide, entrepreneur guide; and sponsorship to trade events.
A cross section of participants opined that the seminar has provided solutions to the day to day challenges they face in their businesses.
