INFLUENCE OF COMMERCIAL BANKS' CAPACITY BUILDING LENDING STRATEGY ON GROWTH OF MSES IN KENYA

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to establish the influence of commercial banks' capacity building lending strategy on the growth of SMEs in Kenya.Methodology: The researcher used purposive sampling to select respondents. The sample size was comprised of 352 respondents. The study used questionnaires to collect data from the field. Both quantitative and qualitative data gathered was coded and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data in frequency distributions and percentages which were presented in tables and figures. Inferential statistics were used to analyze qualitative data.

Results: The study found out that commercial banks' capacity building have a positive and significant effect on MSEs growth. (r=0.656, p=0.001).

Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends for commercial banks to train their employees on how to handle clientele needs. Commercial banks need to embark on major training programmes and address their efforts to professionalize SME account managers. In fact, bank staffs dealing with SMEs need a sound knowledge of entrepreneurs and their businesses in order to develop an affinity with their clients and offer them solutions adapted to their needs. The actions which banks need to take include a better selection of new account managers for SMEs. They need to look for candidates with an adequate background and experience in small business or with entrepreneurial skills, who can be flexible and sensitive to SMEs issues.