In a demonstration of its continuous commitment to National development, First Bank, says its digital platform, SMEConnect, platform through which SMEs can access the bank’s plethora of services, has continued to create an atmosphere for SMEs to build, grow and scale.
The portal is designed to help SMEs access the Bank’s unique propositions and identify various gaps that hinder their business growth. It helps proffer tailored services solutions, whilst creating avenues for business improvement, profitability and sustainability.
SMEConnect was birthed out of the need to bridge the gap and connect SMEs to resources, products and services that will enable them to overcome the challenges of poor business structures, lack of infrastructure, poor market penetration, limited access to information and professional services, inconsistent government policies amongst others, hence the bank has identified seven strategic pillars considered essential for the sustainability and growth of SMEs.
The unique selling proposition of SMEConnect is the congregation of value-adding products & services on one platform for easy access and at rates (prices) that are competitive and (in most cases) discounted.
The SMEConnect has special features such as the Business Diagnostic tool which has been specifically developed to evaluate one’s business and give one a business effectiveness score, it goes further to tell one what one has done well and what one needs to improve on. One is also able to request a business coach on the portal and get up to a 34 percent discount.
