As part of its drive to grow the activities of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has organised a programme in a series of free training interventions in its impact-planning project for small and medium business owners.
In a statement, the bank noted that “As an integral aspect of the bank’s agenda towards the nation’s economic development, the lender re-assured its customers that it would sustain the tempo of support to existing and upcoming small businesses through increased lending, capacity building, free advisory, value-added products, as well as providing them services capable of increasing overall performance”.
Explaining more during a programme tagged: “Business Empowerment and Sustainability Training for SME Customers”, the bank said it is focusing more on budgeting, cost and budget management as they affect small businesses in Nigeria and mainly SME customers of the bank.
Earlier in his address, the Head of Training Academy of FCMB, Sola Oyegbade, disclosed that the Academy was well positioned to offer excellent learning solutions with high-impact and positive results on businesses, not just for the bank’s workforce, but others who desire its services, having been certified and granted full accreditation status by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).
She also argued that “Training Academy of FCMB has distinguished itself as a viable learning organization and we are committed to a culture of continuous training and professionalism in a sustainable manner’”.
Also, the Regional Head, Lagos, FCMB, Oliver Opara, explained that the bank is aware that SMEs play critical roles in the growth of the nation’s economy and act as agents of growth.
“We understand that a number of factors combine to determine the success or failure of SMEs. We will continue to support our customers operating in the SMEs segment to overcome the challenges they usually face. We want to be part of their success story’,” he said.
Accordingly, facilitators took participants through the intricacies of raising capital and getting businesses ready for loans at the programme.
In her remarks at the event, the Divisional Head, Corporate Services, FCMB, Felicia Obozuwa, said the bank recognised the role of entrepreneurs in the society and their capacity in driving growth and sustaining the economy.
She noted that “This is one of the ways we support the growth of our SME customers. We are conscious of the fact that many small businesses could have the dedication to succeed, but lack adequate training and experience to make the business thrive.
“This gap is capable of hindering operation and thereby limiting the achievement of targeted results. Business acumen and day-to-day operational skills are very essential for business owners particularly when venturing into new or sustaining already existing businesses.
“Our training programmes are specially packaged for the SMEs to establish solid foundations for growth, learn new skills, better serve their customers, and stay relevant to their niche,” she observed.
