Union Bank has recently concluded a series of business seminars for
Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) as part of its support for
this group of businesses. The seminars took place in seven locations
across the country including Aba, Lagos, Anambra, Kano, Kaduna, Abuja
and Oyo. The sessions themed ‘Managing a successful small Business’,
were designed to provide practical information and guidance on how to
address typical challenges small businesses face in Nigeria. The
workshops included modules on sales and marketing, governance,
succession planning and capacity building. In addition, attendees were
equipped with relevant digital marketing and accounting skills to enable
them compete favourably in the Nigerian marketplace.
Speaking
on the Bank’s focus on providing support for SMEs, Union Bank’s Head of
Retail Segments, Paul Aseme highlighted the role of SMEs in boosting a
nation’s economy. He added; “Union Bank has been known for its
contribution to the growth of Nigerian businesses. Recognising the role
of SMEs in driving Nigeria’s economic growth, these seminars were
organised to equip business owners with the knowledge and skills they
require to establish a strong foundation for their business, widen their
exposure and expand their business connections.” Some participants who
attended the seminars thanked the Bank for the free training which they
stated is sure to boost their businesses and the SME sector as a
whole.
Union
Bank’s SME support scheme also includes the provision of access to
market, a conducive banking climate for investment and, easy access to
finance for working capital through loan products that include
non-collateral loans. The Bank’s commitment to SMEs earned it the ‘Best
Bank to Support Nigeria’s Small and Medium Scale Enterprises’ award at
the 2016 BusinessDay Annual Banking Awards.
Last
year, in partnership with Co-Creation Hub, Union Bank launched a
first-of-its-kind business acceleration programme ‘Start up Connect’
which provides an opportunity for Nigerian businesses creating
technology-based solutions for the emerging African market , to partner
with the Bank and the social innovation center for rapid growth.
Union
Bank continues to operate various SME funding schemes to assist SMEs in
financing, expanding markets and enhancing competitiveness in the
marketplace.
