THE ROLE OF MICRO-FINANCE BANK IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS

This study aim at describing the role of micro-finance banks in the development of rural areas. To this effect, a case study was used which is Oko Micro-Finance Bank 2004-2014. This study aim at unearthing the powerful strategy for alleviating poverty in general and rural poverty in developing country, to analyze the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats of micro-finance institutions in the selected region, to access the problems encountered by micro-finance service consumers in the rural areas. To achieve this purpose, 4 (four) research questions were raised Vis: how does micro-finance institution operate in selected rural settling in the country? What are the problems encountered by micro-finance service consumers in the rural areas? What are strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of micro-finance institutions in the selected region? In addition, hypotheses were formulated to guide the study namely: Micro-Finance Banks helps in the development of rural areas. Oko Micro-Finance Bank is aimed at increasing the level of per-capital income of Oko-community in Anambra State. The researcher uses percentages respondents†opinion. The researcher also made some Recommendations among which were: Micro-Finance Banks should involve themselves in the catchments areas. Because is the last hope of rural dwellers.  

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page                                 i
Approval page                             ii
Dedication                                 iii
Acknowledgements                            iv
Table of contents                             vi
Abstract                                     x

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION                             
1.0     Background of the study                1
1.1     Statement of the problem                6
1.2      Purpose of the study                     8
1.3     Research question                         9
1.4    Statement of Hypothesis                 10
1.5    Theoretical Framework                     11
1.6      Significance of the study                 12
1.7      Scope of the study                         13
1.8    Limitations of the study                    14
1.9    Definitions of terms                     14

CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW                        
2.1    Introduction                             16
2.2     Concept of Oko Micro-Finance Bank        25
2.3      The record of Micro-Finance Bank            27
2.4      Importance of credit to the Development
of the Rural Communities                 35
2.5      Micro-Finance Bank offer a number of credit
delivery schemes                         40
2.6     Products and Services                    41
2.7    Summary of Literature review             42

CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1      Design of the study                     44
3.2      Area of the study                         44
3.3     Population of the study                     45
3.4    Sample/Sampling Techniques             45
3.5     Instrument for data                      46
3.6      Reliability and Validity of the instrument    46
3.7     Distribution and retrieval of the instrument    47
3.8      Method of data analysis                    47

CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS            
4.1     Personal Data                             49
4.2    Data presentation                        53
4.3    Analysis of research questions            53
4.4    Testing of hypothesis                     58

CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS    
5.1     Summary of findings                     63
5.2     Conclusion                             64
5.3     Recommendation                        65
References                            67
Appendix    I: Letter of Respondents             70
Appendix II: Questionnaire                 71