A BANK FOR THE POOR - PERCEPTIONS OF THE FEMALE CLIENTS OF THE PEOPLES-BANK-OF-NIGERIA

In recent years, we have seen the establishment of banks which intend to be accessible to the ''poor'' (i.e., the economically disadvantaged ). This study describes the views of the female clients of one of such bank, the People's Bank of Nigeria (PBN). Twenty-six female clients o f one of the branches of PBN were studied. Twelve were operating small -scale businesses in an urban community, and 14 were operating in a ru ral community. In-depth interviews with these women were conducted. Al so, observations of women's activities and behaviours were conducted a t their business sites (i.e., home, market place, roadside stall). The study found that the female clients of PBN generally perceived the ba nk to be a ''success'' because it improved women's economic, political and psychological situations. Generally, perceptions of clients from the urban community did not differ much from those of their rural coun terparts. The federal government of Nigeria which established the bank , and development planners in developing and developed countries who i ntend to facilitate community development, can learn from the study ho w to improve poor women's lives by providing them with opportunities f or credit.