Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Commercial banks play a crucial role in the economic development of Nigeria by providing financial services, including lending to businesses and individuals. This research project aims to investigate the lending policies of commercial banks in Nigeria and their implications on the economy. The study will analyze the various factors that influence the lending policies of commercial banks, such as government regulations, economic conditions, and risk management practices. Additionally, the research will examine how these lending policies impact access to credit for different segments of the population, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and low-income individuals. The implications of commercial banks' lending policies in Nigeria are far-reaching and can have both positive and negative effects on the economy. On the positive side, sound lending policies can promote financial inclusion, stimulate economic growth, and create employment opportunities. By providing credit to businesses, commercial banks can support investment and entrepreneurship, driving innovation and productivity in various sectors of the economy. Moreover, access to credit enables individuals to finance education, healthcare, and other essential needs, improving their quality of life and overall well-being. However, there are also potential drawbacks associated with commercial banks' lending policies in Nigeria. For instance, strict lending criteria and high interest rates can limit access to credit for SMEs and individuals with low credit scores, hindering their ability to grow their businesses or improve their living standards. Furthermore, inadequate risk management practices by commercial banks can lead to an increase in non-performing loans, posing financial stability risks to the banking sector and the overall economy. In conclusion, this research project will contribute to a better understanding of the lending policies of commercial banks in Nigeria and their implications on economic development. By identifying the key factors influencing these policies and evaluating their impact on access to credit and financial stability, the study aims to provide insights that can inform policy decisions aimed at promoting a more inclusive and sustainable financial system in Nigeria.

Thesis Overview

1.1            BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Back credit  and  lending  function  as  we are  aware  evolved  from a  rather  humble  beginning   as a  result  of the discovery  made by the gold  smith  some  continues  ago,  though  only  a  small  proportion  of the money  kept with him  for security  purpose  was indeed required by the  depositors at any  one  time  and that  he could  safely  lend the  rest to borrowers  and make  interest  charge  thereon.  The banking habit that latter inherited such practice felt that only about nine(9) to ten (10) percent of the bank deposit at a give time were therefore demand by the depositors.

However the commercial banks role of pooling funds together for the more surplus economics units to the deficit units of the country’s economy is what is regarded to as their leading function banks have in recent time been described as a machine of economic growth in an economy for the fact they perform this  resources allocation function by mobilizing and channeling resources from savings surplus economic units to savings defeit units. In this position, they help in accelerating the trend of economic activities in various sectors of the economy, there by increasing the level of utility and wants of individuals and corporate bodies.

Well, as the above function is met, they would be more involved in the development of the economy because their raw material (money) is where other sector and sub-sector of the economy rotate.

More so, commercial banks have proved and are likely to remain the dominate financing intermediaries in Nigeria for they at present account for over 520 of the resources of the financial system to the economy and seemed to be more then units or sub-sectors able in all respects to influence the course of development.

This is why, not with standing the deregulation of the economy, banking is yet regarded as one of the most controlled or regulated in Nigeria. In monetary amendment guideline circular No 21 of January, 1987 the central bank of Nigeria (CBN) quoted as this in order to enhance  the development of financial position and achieve a realistic resource allocation, the following change effected all control on interest rates were then removed in line tooth the emphresis on deregulation of the economy the second condition without in order to server as a signed to the desired direction of interest rate changes, the minimum rediscount rate would continue to be fixed by the central bank. This has gone further to show the benefits of commercial banks in the growth of the country’s economy. This is because in spite of the deregulation in the whole economy. The banks are still kept in check always and forced to operate within the policies of the monetary authorities.

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

In Nigeria, as in most other developing countries of the world, poor banking awareness (especially in the rural areas) and under-litches militating against economic development. This ugly trend is as a result of poor and under develop banking system which has been identified for long. Actually, failure to develop a favourable bank lending policies and implication was pointed out as a major short coming of the west African currency Board (WACB) promoting the establishment of the central bank of Nigeria in 1958.

It was in 1937 that internal autonomy was achieved another commission was set up. During this period the federal government engaged the service of another financial expert of the bank of England, Mr. J.B. Loynes, it was his recommendation that led to the establishment of the   central bank of Nigeria by the central bank of Nigeria ordinance of 17th march, 1959.