By Benedict Tembo
First National Bank (FNB) Zambia has launched an initiative that will provide comprehensive SME support for the sector as the bank aligns itself as a key business growth partner.
Speaking at the launch of business growth initiative, FNB Zambia Chief Executive Officer Bydon Longwe said, “We are thrilled to re-introduce ourselves as the growth partner of choice as we work to complement government efforts of fuelling economic diversification through SME support. At FNB, we bank over 13,000 SMEs and have over the years taken time to understand the challenges that this sector faces in order to provide intuitive solutions aimed at fuelling business growth.”
“Access to funding for business advancement remains topical. As a bank, FNB has proactively adjusted financing interest rates and borrowing conditions to enable businesses, particularly SMEs, to capitalize on opportunities created by the government’s positive policy pronouncements. Further, we have set aside K5 billion for lending to the private sector, K2 billion of which is targeted at the sectors encompassing SMEs. We will further be looking to partner with Government to actualise the Credit Guarantee Scheme announced in the budget so that we can fully support growth of an innovative diversified economy”, Mr. Longwe added.
FNB Zambia Head – Business and Commercial, Kabanda Lilanda reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to creating a better world through sustainable financial solutions that add to economic growth. “At FNB, we have developed SME lending products with low interest rates and flexible tenors to meet the unique needs of this key sector. FNB’s Vehicle and Asset Financing products can fund plant and machinery, alternative energy solutions, printing equipment, and other movable assets to enhance efficiency and growth. Importantly, customers who have banked with FNB for at least six months and have a good track record can access collateral-free loans for up to 36 months. To us, this is intuitive help that is focused on actualising real help and real solutions”, Mr. Lilanda said. “FNB also offers Green Loans for as low as 15 percent to allow access to alternative energy solutions aimed at sustaining businesses. This is critical with the recent electricity challenges we faced in the country and region, coupled with the focus on sustainable and renewable energy which the world is shifting to. We are also offering competitively priced commercial property finance, short to long terms loans, trade financing solutions among the many initiatives that truly align FNB as a growth partner on the market”, Mr. Lilanda added.
FNB Zambia was named the 2022 SME Bank of The Year Zambia by International Business Magazine, a testament to the bank’s commitment to continue leading with intuitive SME-led solutions. To help businesses operate sustainably and responsibly, the award-winning entity also provides non-financial support through financial literacy, maintaining strong relationships with local chambers of commerce and business support entities that are essential to supporting SMEs, and a service model that facilitates a personalized banking experience for customers. The bank’s products and services also cater for the heavily marginalised women and aspiring entrepreneurs
This is a great move to support SMEs in Zambia. It would be great if FNB could offer exactly the same services they offer in South Africa here in Zambia.
Thanks FNB, my company is one of the beneficiaries. Ladies and gentlemen, when we come on LT and express displeasure on govt’s inept policies, we don’t talk from without. Some of us are on the ground feeling the obnoxious Ballynomics. The private sector has been neglected by skewing economic policies towards the social sector, like employment of civil servants and expanded social cash transfer. Bally has inadvertently killed the chicken that lays the eggs. How does govt ensure the blotted govt wage bill get sustained? It’s never too late to revive the private sector for economic growth rather than looking for solutions from outside.