Introduction
1.1 Background of the study
The role of commercial banks in the development of SMEs is vital to economic developments. It is acknowledged that the availability of financial capital is a pre-requisite for rapid development. Since efficient management of scarce resources are best facilitated by financial institutions (Myers, 1984). It therefore follows that banks have vital role. Things they do to small and medium scale enterprises among others by making their vast financial resources available for financial and promotes developments. The peculiar circumstance which characterized the situation of under-development which make this role more pertinent. Nigeria is characterized with low level per capital income (Kpelai, 2009). There are also disparities in the distribution of income as well as variations in savings propensities at different level of income. Quite often the relief from the handicaps is the best provided by banks.
The quest for economic development to ensure overall improvement in individual well-being of citizens has been the preoccupation of every nation. The process involves a number of approaches. One of these is the adoption of an industrialization strategy at a point in time relevant to the prevailing needs of development (Obiatyo, 2001).
Developing countries are under much pressure in this regard because of their general peculiar features. Businesses, unlike people, are not created equally. There are some companies that would be missed if they ceased to exist, but life would go on. There are others whose collapse would cause vast sections of economies and societies to implode. Into this second category falls the deposit money bank. Deposit money banks are the most important savings mobilizing and financial resource allocation institutions. Consequently, their roles make them an important phenomenon and strong pillar in economic growth and development. (Uzonwanne, 2015)
Deposit money, banks which are also known as commercial banks, are financial institutions that provide services, such as accepting deposits, giving business loans and auto loans, mortgage lending, and basic investment products like savings accounts and certificates of activities deposit. According to mainstream theory, they act as financial intermediaries to channel savers’ money to firms and individuals who seek funding for their acts (Mambula, 2002). Their importance as a catalyst to economic growth and development is widely recognized by both monetary and development economists.
The Nigeria finance system is dominated by the banking sector, especially the deposit money banks which provides the foundation for the development of financial system (Mordi, 2002). Their credit component constitutes a major link between the monetary sector and the real sector of the Nigerian economy.
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