Downscaling: Development and Implementation of SME Finance in a commercial bank

As part of IFC's MSME Finance Programme for Africa, LFS was commissioned by the IFC to assist a partner bank in Malawi to develop and extend financial services to Small and Medium Enterprises. LFS adopted a unit approach, to organize SME loan departments in the partner bank.

Our tasks furthermore included product development, the implementation of an appropriate lending technology for SMEs, implementation of an appropriate Management Information and Reporting System, training of management, loan officers and local experts as well as internal audit and portfolio reviews.  LFS also developed a strategic business plan for the SME lending department of the partner bank.