The President of the Senate, David Mark, has called on commercial banks to support the growth of the real sector by making loans available to Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs at affordable interest rates.
Mark said this while receiving President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Mr. Segun Aina, who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
The Senate President, who commended the industry for its quick and positive response to the global financial crisis, said he had also seen a lot of improvement in the products and service offerings.
A statement by the Head, Corporate Communication and External Relations, CIBN, Mr. Nelson Olagundoye, quoted Mark as urging the banks to continue to improve on their services and make it easy for all Nigerians to have access, regardless of their class or status.
He appealed to the institute to impress on the banks to support the development of the real sector and promised the Senate would fast track the passage of all banking and finance bills for smooth banking operations and growth of the industry.
He commended the efforts of the Institute towards promoting ethics and professionalism in the industry.
The CIBN president explained that the visit was part of the efforts to engage major stakeholders in the banking and finance industry on various programmes of the Institute.
He commended the Senate for the accelerated handling of bills especially those affecting the finance industry.
Aina also stressed the need for the National Assembly to collaborate with the institute to organise a seminar on banking, finance and allied matters for legislators.
This, he stressed, would enable both the legislators and bankers to appreciate and understand the peculiarities of each other's roles and responsibilities.
