Project Abstract

Abstract
Microfinance banks play a crucial role in enhancing the economic well-being of rural dwellers by providing financial services tailored to their specific needs. This study aims to investigate the contribution of microfinance banks to the economic well-being of rural dwellers. The research will focus on assessing the impact of microfinance banks in improving access to credit, promoting savings culture, and facilitating financial inclusion in rural areas. A mixed-methods approach will be employed, combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative interviews and surveys. The quantitative analysis will involve examining the financial performance indicators of selected microfinance banks operating in rural areas, such as loan disbursement rates, repayment rates, and portfolio quality. Qualitative data will be collected through interviews with microfinance bank staff, rural dwellers who have utilized microfinance services, and key stakeholders in the microfinance sector. The findings of this research are expected to provide valuable insights into the ways in which microfinance banks contribute to the economic well-being of rural dwellers. It is anticipated that the study will demonstrate the role of microfinance banks in promoting entrepreneurship, income generation, and poverty alleviation in rural communities. Additionally, the research aims to identify challenges faced by microfinance banks in reaching rural populations and suggest potential strategies to overcome these barriers. Overall, this study seeks to contribute to the existing literature on microfinance and rural development by providing empirical evidence on the impact of microfinance banks on the economic well-being of rural dwellers. The research findings are expected to inform policy makers, practitioners, and other stakeholders in the microfinance sector on ways to enhance the effectiveness of microfinance interventions in rural areas. By highlighting the importance of microfinance banks in empowering rural communities economically, this study aims to support efforts to promote sustainable development and reduce poverty in rural areas.

Project Overview

1.1 Background to the Study

The federal government of Nigeria in the 1990 budget speech decided to establish micro-finance in order to stretch its programme of grass-roots economic development. The aim of this study is to make a research on the contribution of microfinance banks to the economic well being of rural dwellers in Nigeria. The micro finance bank scheme which has started years ago received recognition as social economic venture designed to address poverty and aimed at motivating and encouraging the rural dwellers to improve their standard of living through proper use and management of resources generated in their communities.

Alheri microfinance bank was the first micro–finance bank in Kaduna State. The project took off in the country with a mandate from the presidency to improve the lost of people through credit facilities devoid of conventional banking bottle necks and its operating capital boss supplied by unfired community. This community provides the building for the operation and the management staff a well ass the board and the trustee. The idea is that when such collective money is given out as loans, there won’t be much difficult in recovering it back as at when due.

Micro finance bank has evolved as an economic development approach intended to benefit low income women and men in the rural areas. The term refers to the provision of financial services to low – income earners, including the self – employed. Financial services generally include savings and credit; however, some microfinance organizations also provide insurance and payment service. Microfinance banking is not simply banking, it is a development tool.

Micro finance activities usually involve:

- Small loans, typically for working capital.

- Informal appraisal of borrowers and investments.

- Collateral substitutes, such as group guarantees or compulsory savings.

- Access to repeat and longer loans, based on repayment performance

- Streamlined loan disbursement and monitoring

- Secure savings products

Although some Microfinance banks provide enterprise development services, such as skills training and health care, these are not generally included in the definition of micro finance.

Microfinance banks can be non governmental organizations savings and loan cooperation’s, credit unions, government banks, commercial banks, or non bank financial institutions. Micro finance bank clients are typically self employed low income entrepreneurs in both urban and rural areas. Clients are often traders, street vendors, small farmers, service providers (hairdressers, rickshaw drivers) and artisans and small procedures, such as blacksmiths and seamstress. Usually their activities provide a stable source of income (often from more than one activity). Although they are poor, they are generally not considered to be the poorest of the poor. Money lenders and relating savings and credit associations are informal microfinance providers and important sources of financial intermediation.

1.2 Objectives of the Study

The general objective of this study is to determine the contribution of microfinance bank to the economic wellbeing of rural dwellers:

i. To reveal the contribution of micro-finance banks on rural dwellers and benefit of Alheri microfinance Bank Limited, Kaduna to the people of Kaduna and its entire environment.

ii. To determine the extent to which accessibility to micro credit has increased the household income of rural dwellers in Kaduna metropolis.

iii. To examine the contribution of micro finance bank on asset acquisition and saving of rural dwellers in Kaduna.

1.3 Statement of the Problem  

The major problem necessitating this study arose from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s laws, regulation, supervision and central placed over the activities of micro finance banks which are:

i. These relive the micro finance and every micro finance bank is accepted with respect to their proper books of account and it must be submitted to the National Board not later than 28 days.    

ii. Another problem can be seen in its books and affairs because it is a fully fledged banks, it books and affairs are subject to continuous examinations by Central Bank working through natural board for micro finance banks.

iii. Equally, not later than four months after the end of its financial year, each micro finance bank must submit to the National Board and exhibit prominently to the view of all members of the micro finance banks balance sheet and profit and loss account

1.4   Statement of Research Hypothesis

The following hypotheses serve as a basis of the questions to be answered for the study.

Ho: There is a significant relationship between micro-finance bank and the economic development of rural of dweller.

H1: There is no significant relationship between micro-finance bank and the economic development of rural of dweller.

1.5 Scope of the Study

With available data on microfinance banking on rural dweller, the case study will focus its attention on the management system of Alheri Microfinance Bank Limited, Kaduna and suggest wages by which the micro-finance banking system can be improved.

1.6 Limitation of the Study

This research work shall be limited to the contribution of micro-finance banks to the economic wellbeing of rural dwellers. The following are the limitation that hinders the study of this research work;

· Financial Constraints: There are not enough funds to fuel the study of this research work. The researcher has access to a very little source of fund.

· Time Constraints: Due to the limited time available to carry out this research work, it is not possible to carry out the research extensively as anticipated by the researcher.

1.7   Definition of Terms

Micro Finance: A type of banking service that is provided to unemployed or low-income individuals or groups who would otherwise have no other means of gaining financial services. Ultimately, the goal of microfinance is to give low income people an opportunity to become self-sufficient by providing a means of saving money, borrowing money and insurance

Bank: A financial establishment that invests money deposited by customers, pays it out when required, makes loans at interest, and exchanges.

Rural: This means a characteristic of the countryside rather than the town.

Contribution: This refers to the something that is given in order to help achieve or provide something.

Rural Dwellers: These are people living in rural areas.