Thesis Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the Uga Microfinance Bank in Aguata L.G.A Anambra State. Three research questions were formulated and tested. The specific objectives are to determine a centralized location, comfortable spaces and good design in Microfinance Bank. The result was obtained using questionnaire method, which was carefully analyzed. The population is 364 in number, where random sampling method were used to obtain a sample size of 36 which represent 10% and 35 were returned. From the data collected, it was discovered that there is need for another location, functional spaces and re-designing of Uga Microfinance Bank.

Thesis Overview

1.2     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The history of micro financing can be traced back as long to the middle of the 1800s when the theorist Lysander Spooner was writing over the benefits from small credits to entrepreneurs and farmers as a way getting the people out of poverty. But it was at the end of World War II with Marshall Plan the concept had a big impact. The today use of the expression micro financing has it roots in the 1970s when organizations, such as Grameen Bank of Bangladesh with the microfinance pioneer Mohammad Yunus, where starting and shaping the modern industry of microfinancing (Wikipedia 2015).

In United States, microfinance institutions was developed in 1980s. They served low income and marginalized minority communities. By 2007, there were 500 microfinance organizations operating in the US with 200 lending capital (Wikipedia 2015).

In Africa the first credit union in Africa was established in Northern Ghana in 1955 by Canadian Catholic missionaries. However, susu, which is one of the micro finance schemes in Ghana, is thought to have originated from Nigeria and spread to Ghana in the early twentieth century (www.economicswebinstitute.org).

In Nigeria micro finance banking came into being in 2005 with the launching of the micro finance policy by the former CBN governor Professor Chukwuma Soludo. The policy was influenced by the globally acclaimed impact of microfinance in helping the economically active poor to exit the poverty threshold and thus leading to significant poverty reduction. Hence micro finance banking was introduced with the expectation that over time, it would in reducing poverty in the country (Ngutor Nyor, 2013).

In Anambra state, micro finance banking came into existence following the 2005 government policy which leads to the conversion of community banks to micro finance bank so many banks were given provisional approval while others were given final license (Chukwuma 2007).

In Uga micro finance bank came as a result of 2005 policy so Uga community bank was converted to Microfinance bank with provisional approval (Umunne, 2009).

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS

Despite the importance of micro finance bank to the community, there has been complaint form both staff and customers regarding to

1. The location
2. The design
3. Space

1.3     AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is o evaluate the location design and space of Uga micro finance bank building.

OBJECTIVES

1. To determine a suitable location for Uga micro finance bank building.
2. To re-design Uga micro finance bank building.

3.  To create comfortable spaces in Uga micro finance bank.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

i       Is Uga micro finance bank properly located?

ii       Does the design of Uga micro finance bank functional?

iii     Does the spaces inside Uga micro finance bank comfortable ?

1.5     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The finding of this study will significantly contribute to the re-designing of Uga Microfinance bank.

The study will also provide a suitable location for easy access for staff and customers. The study will provide a comfortable and ventilated spaces in Uga microfinance bank

1.6     SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study is made to evaluate the location, design and space of Uga microfinance bank. It covered only Uga micro finance bank not Akpo microfinance bank.

1.7     LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

1. Poor attention was given to the researcher because the bank were having their annul supervision by the federal government.
2. Staff and customers list were not easily provided.
3. Most customers did not return their questionnaire.