How to Apply for CBN COVID-19 Loan – Targeted Credit Facility for Households and SME’s (2021)

How to Apply for CBN COVID-19 Loan, Targeted Credit Facility for Households and Businesses ON NIRSAL Microfinance Bank portal.

As part of the measure to reduce the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on businesses in Nigeria, the Federal government of Nigeria through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has introduced COVID-19 support loans for Households, SME and MSME.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is Nigeria’s apex financial authority and one of its objectives is promoting the development of MSMEs in the country. In the light of this developmental objective, the CBN initiated several intervention schemes and this Covid-19 loan scheme is one of it.

While some of these schemes provide beneficiaries with loans, others release substantial funding needed for business growth. Importantly, we have conducted thorough findings on the various CBN-initiated loan opportunities targeted at businesses, particularly agricultural businesses and SMEs.

The COVID-19 Support fund will be distributed by NIRSAL Microfinance Bank and come with an Interest rate under the intervention is 5% P.A. (all-inclusive) up to 28th February 2022 and thereafter, the interest will revert to 9% P.A. (all-inclusive) as from 1st March 2023, follow the steps below for detailed guidelines on how to apply;

ELIGIBILITY

HOUSEHOLDS: For a household to benefit, they must provide verifiable evidence of livelihood adversely impacted by COVID-19 and agreed to allow NIRSAL Microfinance Bank (NMFB) to assess their financial records. Households Can access a maximum of N3 million

Requirement:
· Loan application letter
· Duly completed application form
· Duly executed Guarantor form
· A valid means of ID (national ID, driver’s license, voter’s card or international passport)
· Current utility bill
· 2 recent passport-size photographs
· BVN

MSMEs/CORPORATE ENTERPRISES:
(1) Mini SME (funding between N3m – N10m)
(2) SME Plus (funding between N10.1m and N25m)
Existing enterprises must provide verifiable evidence of business activities adversely affected as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and also agreed to allow NIRSAL Microfinance Bank (NMFB) to assess their financial records.

The Bank will assess the capacity of the customer through the customer’s business history; via total account statement turnover (with NMFB and other banks), however, this would not be the only tool used to determine customer’s eligibility.

(Note: Where a review of the customer’s account statement raises fundamental issues, the bank reserves the right to make decisions as considered appropriate).

Requirement:
· Loan application letter
· Duly completed application form
· Duly executed Guarantor form
· A valid means of ID (National ID, Driver’s License, Voter’s Card or International passport)
· Current utility bill
· 2 recent passport-size photographs
· BVN

Loan amount to SMEs shall be determined based on the activity, cashflow and industry/segment size of the beneficiary, subject to a maximum of N25 million.