Welcome to our online course series on SME lending! 

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in driving economic growth and job creation in any country. However, in many developing nations, SMEs still face challenges in accessing financial services, particularly credit.

In this series, we will delve into the significance of SMEs for a country's economy and the obstacles they encounter while seeking financial support. Various lending methodologies have been developed to address these challenges, including collateral-based lending, relationship lending, credit scoring, individual cash-flow based lending, or a combination of these approaches.

Specifically, our series will focus on the cash-flow based lending approach, which is designed to assess an SME's financial health based on its cash flow patterns and performance indicators. This approach helps lenders make informed decisions and provide tailored financial solutions to SMEs, promoting sustainable growth and reducing credit risks.

The series is divided into 6 self-contained courses, each exploring different aspects of cash-flow based lending. Participants have the flexibility to take individual units or complete the entire course, gaining comprehensive insights into SME lending practices and contributing to the economic prosperity of their nations.

Join us on this enlightening journey to enhance your understanding of SME lending and make a positive impact on the growth of small businesses and economies alike.


Introduction to SME Lending

This is the first course of 6 related to SME lending. To grasp SME lending operations in financial institutions, it's advised to join all 6 courses. However, they can be taken individually based on interest.

Introduction to SME Lending
This chapter provides a course overview.

FI/Banking in General
Here, you'll understand financial institutions (FIs) and their role in the economy, including credit intermediation, payment facilitation, and regulation. The learning objective is to grasp the significance of FIs, their responsibilities, and their role in maintaining financial system stability and client protection.

Definition and Characteristics of SMEs
Explore Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), their importance, agility, and challenges. Learn about barriers they face in accessing finance and how specialized products, government initiatives, and technology address these issues. The learning objective is to understand SMEs' significance and the measures promoting responsible financial practices.

Ethics and Professionalism in SME Lending Operations
Discover the role of ethics and professionalism in SME lending. Learn how ethics guide decision-making and professionalism maintains high industry standards. Responsible lending is emphasized, adhering to standards set by the Social Performance Task Force (SPTF). The learning objective is to recognize the importance of ethical principles and their impact on client relationships and industry integrity.

SME Loan Products
Delve into evaluating SME loan products, discussing criteria like purpose, term, collateral, and interest rates. Explore tailored financing for SMEs' growth. Different loan types and repayment options are explained. The learning objective is to understand a range of SME loan products, their features, and how loan officers make informed decisions.

The SME Loan Process in General
This chapter covers the SME loan process, including client acquisition, analysis, decision-making, disbursement, monitoring, and repayment. Understand how loan officers assess repayment capacity and establish lasting relationships with clients. Monitoring ensures repayments, and successful repayment strengthens relationships. The learning objective is to understand the SME loan process and the significance of client-institution relationships.

Interested in SME lending? Stay tuned for courses delving deeper into this dynamic field.

Course curriculum

    1. Introduction to the Course

    2. About the Instructors

    3. Intro Survey

    1. Unit 1 Resources

    2. Introduction to SME Lending

      FREE PREVIEW

    1. Unit 2 Resources

    2. Definition and Types of Financial Institutions

    3. 2a Quizzes

    4. Financial Institution as Credit Intermediary

    5. 2b Quizzes

    6. Financial Institution as Payment Intermediary

    7. 2c Quizzes

    8. Financial Institution as Financial Service Providers

    9. 2d Quizzes

    10. The Role of the Central Bank

    11. 2e Quizzes

    12. Regulation of Financial Institutions 1

    13. 2f Quizzes

    14. Regulation of Financial Institutions 2

    15. 2g Quizzes

    16. Banking in General - Conclusion

    1. Unit 3 Resources

    2. Definition, Importance and Characteristics of SMEs

    3. 3a Quizzes

    4. Barriers to Access to Finance for SMEs

    5. 3b Quizzes

    6. Eligibility Criteria for SMEs and Exclusion List

    7. 3c Quizzes

    1. Unit 4 Resources

    2. Ethics and Professionalism in SME Lending

    3. 4a Quizzes

    4. The Role of SME Loan Officers in Responsible Lending

    5. 4b Quizzes

    6. Further Guidelines for SME Loan Officers

    7. 4c Quizzes

    1. Unit 5 Resources

    2. Selected Criteria for SME Loan Products

    3. 5a Quizzes

    4. Working Capital Loans

    5. 5b Quizzes

    6. Fixed Assets Loans

    7. 5c Quizzes

    8. Repayment Terms 1

    9. 5d Quizzes

    10. Annuity and Amortizing Loan Payment Plans

    11. 5e Quizzes

    12. Repayment Terms 2

    13. 5f Quizzes

    14. Some General Aspects of Lending

    15. 5g Quizzes

About this course

  • $25.00
  • 59 lessons
  • 2 hours of video content
  • Published: 16-Nov-2023

Instructor(s)

Financial Expert / Long-term Expert at DSIK Antje Kinder

Ms. Antje Kinder holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance and an MBA and looks back on a career of over 30 years in the financial sector. Her professional career began at a German Sparkasse where she worked for 15 years in various credit functions before moving abroad in 2009. Her international experience includes a three-and-a-half-year assignment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where she supported the credit risk department of ProCredit Bank Congo in the implementation of Basel II standards. Ms. Kinder then spent two years advising various banks in China on the introduction of SME lending, including the training of loan officers. She then spent seven years in Myanmar, where she advised the management of two microfinance institutions (MFIs), as well as banks on SME lending and green finance initiatives. In addition, she conducted various financial literacy programs and activities. Currently, Antje Kinder is actively involved in the development of online courses specializing in financial education, as well as the training of financial institution staff.

Long-term Expert at DSIK Laura Scialo

Ms. Laura Scialo holds a degree in business psychology and sustainable development cooperation. In 2008 she started working with a German Sparkasse as a private customer advisor. Later in her career, she was working as a Project- and Process Manager, evaluating corporate business processes to align outcomes with strategic goals and the corporate vision of her Sparkasse. In 2018 Ms. Scialo joined German Sparkassenstiftung where she was working as a Technical Advisor in Ghana, developing Training Courses for Board Members and Managers of Microfinance Institutions. In 2020 Ms. Scialo became the Project Manager for the Implementation of a Knowledge Management for German Sparkassenstiftung. After the successful Project implementation Ms. Scialo went to Bhutan where she is currently working as the Country Representative of DSIK in a project to strengthen the institutional capacity of selected formal and informal financial organizations in rural areas.