Challenges of small and medium scale enterprises in financing - the Merchant Bank customers’ perspective

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2008-12-11
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Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore the various challenges encountered by SMEs in accessing finance and to give recommendations aimed at improving the accessibility of SMEs to financing using Merchant Bank as a test case. The sampling techniques used included quota and purposive sampling techniques. Questionnaires and unstructured interviews were the main research instruments used in this study in collecting primary data. The questionnaire was structured to elicit information about SMEs concerns in accessing finance with respect to Merchant Bank. A total of 100 SMEs were sampled out of which 95 responded representing 95%. This data was analysed using Excel software and the results were exhibited as charts. It was revealed that the main difficulties in accessing credit from formal sources included rigid repayment terms, number of years in business, high interest rate, high collateral security, ownership structure etc. It was recommended that an effective way of addressing the SMEs financing, included flexible repayment credit system, and establishment of common fund by government, SMEs banking and removal of collateral security regarded by the financial institutions. Limitations associated with this study were the unwillingness of some SMEs to cooperate with the researcher due to suspicion that their expected profits will be known thus informing taxation policies.
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A thesis submitted to the Board of Postgraduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Master of Business Administration,December-2008
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