The Role of Deposit Money Banks’ Loan Facilities in Financing Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises in Nigeria

The credit money banks whose obligation is to contribute money-wise to small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) to oblige an essential utensil in decreasing the dismal paucity and enhancing pecuniary change in Nigeria. This paper examines the role deposit money banks’ loan facilities plays in funding SMEs businesses in Nigeria. The study employed the cross-sectional method of survey research. Ten (10) years financial performance index report of SMEs businesses was extracted from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistical bulletin between the periods of 2008 – 2017 were selected. The index captured dependent and independent variables. Gross domestic product (GDP) is a proxy to SMEs while fund deposit, loan facilities and return on equity were proxies to deposit money banks variable. Data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics and ordinary least square techniques. The study revealed the positive co-efficient value of 17.19434 and 15.84082 for fund deposit and loan facilities variables; and the negative co-efficient value of −3.442694 for the returns on equity variable which affect the growth of SMEs in Nigeria. The recent economic recession experienced in Nigeria also affect SMEs businesses because the return on equity from SMEs was not encouraging. Therefore, financial regulators should adhere to stability and sustainability of fiscal guidelines that will readdress the loan facilities requirements of 65% to SMEs in the nation’s economy. This will aid enhancement of the country’s economy from the deficiency of funds that impedes investment.