Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc recently hosted a webinar where it reiterated its commitment to assisting SMEs in Nigeria
Publish by Dayo Anthony Borderless Media
The webinar with the theme, ‘Scaling Your Business in Challenging Economic Times,’ was attended by entrepreneurs looking to overcome the economic challenges currently faced by their businesses.
In his opening remarks, the Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Wole Adeniyi, listed the COVID-19 pandemic, dearth of innovative solutions and lack of access to adequate business finance as some of the challenges that have plagued the SME sector in Nigeria in recent times.
Adeniyi said: “As a business entity, Stanbic IBTC understands that running a business is not a bed of roses and that challenges differ from one business ecosystem to another. For this reason, Stanbic IBTC Bank is always in search of solutions to solve business challenges as they arise.”
Adeniyi also advocated for the diversification of the economy through policies that will be aimed at driving commercial growth in various sectors as SMEs are vital to the vast business ecosystem of any economy.
Mr Wole Adeniyi Stanbic IBTC bank chief Executive
According to him, this would boost economic growth and lead to an improved standard of living for the citizenry. He further advised SMEs to monitor their expenditure and make the necessary adjustments closely.
Speaking on how the pandemic affected SMEs and the outlook of the post-pandemic era, Ayodele Ojosipe, Head, Enterprise Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, explained that challenges faced by SMEs during the lockdown still have profound effects on their businesses to date.
He added that whilst these challenges have resulted in increased costs of doing business, the inability of most SMEs to pass these costs to their customers has led to margin compression and outright losses in most cases thereby threatening their business sustainability.
Ojosipe stated further that despite the fluctuation and devaluation of the currency which has culminated in capital inadequacy for most SMEs in Nigeria, there are opportunities in the immediate business environment that small businesses can explore to turn the tide. He advised SMEs to take advantage of the Stanbic IBTC unsecured SME Loan which is available to both existing and new clients of the Bank within 24 hours to enable them to meet their financing needs.
Ojosipe identified changes in business dynamics, client focus, optimising cash flows and business partnerships, talent retention, restructuring loans (if any), deferring costs and accessing cheaper funding as key focus areas for SMEs to guarantee business continuity.
