Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Loan syndication plays a crucial role in the Nigerian banking sector, especially for commercial banks. However, several problems hinder the effective operation of loan syndication in Nigeria, impacting the overall economy. This research aims to investigate the problems faced by commercial banks in loan syndication in Nigeria and explore the impact of microeconomic variables on the country's GDP. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of financial data and qualitative interviews with key industry stakeholders. Data on loan syndication activities, loan performance, and GDP growth will be collected from the Central Bank of Nigeria, commercial banks, and other relevant sources. The qualitative aspect will involve interviews with bank managers, loan officers, regulators, and economic experts to gain insights into the challenges faced by commercial banks in loan syndication. One of the primary problems identified in commercial banks' loan syndication in Nigeria is the lack of a well-defined regulatory framework. The absence of clear guidelines and regulations governing loan syndication leads to uncertainties and risks for participating banks. Additionally, issues such as information asymmetry, lack of transparency, and coordination challenges among syndicate members contribute to inefficiencies in the syndication process. Furthermore, the research will examine the impact of microeconomic variables on Nigeria's GDP. Variables such as inflation rate, exchange rate fluctuations, interest rates, and credit availability will be analyzed to understand their influence on economic growth. Fluctuations in these variables can significantly affect investment decisions, business activities, and overall economic performance. The findings of this research are expected to provide valuable insights for policymakers, regulators, and commercial banks in addressing the challenges of loan syndication in Nigeria. By understanding the factors hindering effective syndication practices, stakeholders can work towards developing strategies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of loan syndication processes. Moreover, the study's analysis of the impact of microeconomic variables on GDP will contribute to the existing body of knowledge on Nigeria's economic dynamics. Understanding how these variables interact and affect economic growth can help in formulating appropriate monetary and fiscal policies to foster sustainable economic development. In conclusion, addressing the problems of commercial banks' loan syndication and recognizing the influence of microeconomic variables on GDP are crucial steps towards improving Nigeria's economic stability and promoting growth.

Thesis Overview

1.1  BACKGROUND OF THE RESEARCH

Financial institution plays a major role in oiling the wheel of growth in any economy of the world. They are financial intermediaries between end users of deposit and various investors. They facilitate various business activities. Commercial banks in Nigeria have undergone a remarkable and a tremendous change over the years both in the number of institutions, ownership structures as well as depth and breadth of operations designed to position it as Africa’s financial hub. Financial landscape has been produced as a result of the reforms, characterized by strong and large banks, improved financial infrastructure and efficient payment system. This is shown in the average capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of commercial banks which stood at 16.7 per cent at the end of March 2014. (CBN news bulletin 2013), the main objective of the reform is to ensure a sound and efficient financial system. The reforms are necessary to enable the banking system develop the required resilience to support the economic development of the nation by efficiently performing its function as the pillar of financial intermediation (Aburime, 2014). In Africa, Nigeria is the second largest economy with respect to gross domestic product (GDP) and second to South Africa. Since 2003, GDP growth has averaged 6 to7%. GDP per capita has moved from below 700$ in 2004 to $1418 in December 2009 showing economic growth.

Nevertheless, wealth distribution is heavily lopsided with54% of the entire population classified as leaving below the poverty line (CBN Annual Report 2013). Owing to the tight monetary policy since 2011, an objective of single digit inflation has been focused on. In December2011, inflation declined to 10.3% and jumped to 12.6% in January 2012. This was as a result of the partial removal of fuel subsidy. Three different measures were put in place in January 2012 in other to reduce inflationary pressure. Cash reserve requirement (CRR) was raised from 1.0% to 8.0%, monetary policy rate (MPR) was raised from 6.25% to 12.0% and the Liquidity Ratio (LR) was raised from 25.0% to 50.0%. (CBN, Annual Report, 2012) shows that movement in money supply has been sluggish. The high interest rate is as a result of the relatively high inflation in the economy.

Commercial bank in Nigeria increased their maximum lending rates from 22% - 33% to 25% - 27% in May 2012, leading to high operating costs followed by decaying infrastructure.

Rose (2015) says that profitability is the net after – tax income of banks usually proxies by return on assets and return on equity ratios. This ratio are affected by numerous external factors real gross domestic product, level of import and export, Nigeria, commercial banks have always played major roles in the economic development and their operations are always affected by macroeconomic conditions(CBN news bulletin 2011). In the past decades, Nigerian banks have experience challenges in economic indicators. In foreign literatures, a lot of work has been done, Tanna and Pasiousras (2015) Staikouras and Wood (2014) gives evidence of significant contribution of factors that are external towards earnings of banks, but in Nigeria, only Aburime (2014) have done a research into this topic covering only up to 2016.

Loan syndication is now being practiced in Nigeria starting from the 1960’s when a consortium of commercial banks and acceptance houses discounted trade bills for marketing boards under the produced bill finance scheme. Formalized loan syndication have into being during the oil boom of the 70s when there was need for adequate capital of financing the industrialization programmes. During this period few merchant bank had been incorporated.

1.2 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

To investigated why loan syndication is not properly managed given priority attention by monetary authorities. Despite its strategic place in financing viable projects, capable of injecting foreign currency creating employment and facilitating rapid economic development.

To examine critically the place of financial institutions in the management of loan syndication in the economy.

Loan syndication is a child of circumstances arising form legal lending restrictions risk sharing and liquidity problems. The researcher would like to know despite these constrains prevailing is it still a supplementary option for business financing.

 

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

For an economy to get developed there must be a supplementary source of financing viable investment projects beyond the limits of an individual financial institution. It is on this basis that we would like to define the objective.

The following include the research study.

1. To identify those fundamental problems confronting commercial banksloan syndication and suggest how much problem can be solved.

2. To ascertain the effect of loan syndication in the economic development.

3. To highlight the potentials of loan syndication in the economy.

4. To recommend that syndication loan is not different from other loan. Rather it is subject to conditional attraction higher interest rate subject to default and time lapses in packaging as result of bureaucracy involved by consortium banks.

1.4  SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is expected to have provided useful information on loan syndication to following:

Studies: the students by the use of this project make researches and source information an the rule of financial institution in the management of loan syndication.

Financial institution: Financial institution via this project will lean how to keep to their loan syndication agreements, it will also encourage the financial to give financial accommodation through loan syndication because it is more beneficial to the financial institution which will also loan how to reduce the time frame in packaging a syndication loan.

Borrower: The borrower with the aid of this project will know the appropriate producers involved in obtaining loan through syndication.

Since loan syndication contributes immensely tot eh development of our economy both the government and the targeted audience will benefit from the project. The government with the help of this project will know more about the benefit of loan syndication in our economy.

1.5     RESEARCH QUESTION

The researcher formed some research question that will guide her to carry out this work so as to have a focal point in the study. Which the question are:

1. What are the fundamental problems confronting commercial banks loan syndication?

2. In your own opinion suggest how this problem can be solved?

3. What are the effect of loan syndication in the economic development?

1.6 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

During the course of performing/researching this project work, the researcher encountered a lot of challenges as well as opposition which ranges from financial constraints, time factor. This factors in their own ways, slowed down the speedy progress of this work that resulted to the researcher not being able to finish the research work on time as is required Also, within the area of study the researcher was faced with some other forms of constrains that contributed to the limitation of this researcher work, like accessibility to data, information and facts concerning the present study due to some reasons or the other, some not willing to give out information that it is to be within the workers.

1.7  DEFINITION OF TERMS

Adjusted Capital: It is the paid up capital plus statutory reserve of Bank.

Commitment Fee: This is a fee paid to lender for a formal line of credit.

Default: This is referred to the failure to pay interest and or principle at Maturity

Financial Intermediation: This brings saving surplus unit together with saving deficit unit so that saving can be redistributed to their most productive use.

Financial Market: This is an arrangement or place in which the creation and transferee of financial assets and financial liabilities take place.

Loan/Agent Bank; It could be the original bank of syndication the first bank the borrower consulted or the bank that contribute the interest amount for the financing of the loan.

Inter Bank Agreements: This is the document that spells out common agreement binding all the participating banks

Loan Agreement: This is the document that commits the borrower and the participating lender to terms and conditions of the loan.

Loan Syndication: It is the agreement between two or more lending institution with credit facility utilizing common loan documentation

Offer/Commitment Letter: This letter spells out the terms and conditions governing the credit while the forma is the offer for an acceptance.

Participating Banks: They are banks involved in a particular loan syndication

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