Bank of Baroda signs MoU with 10 companies to support Micro-Entrepreneurs

Mumbai: Bank of Baroda, India’s leading public sector bank, held the Micro-Entrepreneurs Conclave, 2018 to commemorate its 111th Foundation Day and in an effort to emphasise the institution’s commitment to promote micro and small business entrepreneurs, the Bank entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 10 companies ranging from segments as diverse as e-commerce, logistics, service providers and traditional small business.

MSME – Backbone of Indian Economy

Micro and small enterprises are the backbones of the Indian economy and this sector contributes approximately 31 per cent to India’s GDP, 45 per cent of exports and provides employment to over 100 million.

Rapid advances in information technology have given rise to new business opportunities in the MSME segment, especially around organized retail, e-commerce, entertainment etc. and their derivative segments. This has resulted in the emergence of “Twin-Tracks” in the MSME segment, one comprising of old economy enterprises and the second comprising new age economy.

The challenges for the old economy lending are thin balance-sheet, non-availability of authentic data and lack of collaterals where mitigation is done through ring-fencing of cash flows, corporate tie-ups, individual/portfolio guarantees under MUDRA, Stand-Up India and CGTSME schemes.

The new economy enterprises, on the other hand, require a paradigm shift in the process of credit underwriting. The business models of these companies, calls for development of credit models based on turnover, cash flow, digital data points and alternate data as compared to the earlier practice of balance sheet based lending.

Speaking on the occasion P. S. Jayakumar, MD & CEO, Bank of Baroda said, “We are committed to work jointly with various partners to support MSMEs and Start-Ups. We have entered into these MOUs with a view to enhance our footprint in the delivery of products and services in MSME eco-system. This is an endeavour to simplify operational processes and to improve access to finance for MSMEs from early to growth stage. Throughout FY18-19 we will continue to launch various initiatives in this direction that will support e-commerce and their derivative segment”

Bank of Baroda – Frontrunner in Ensuring Smooth Credit Flow to MSME

As one of the leading Banks in the country, Bank of Baroda has been in the forefront in ensuring smooth flow of credit to MSME segment through various initiatives.  The Bank has developed structured products and realigned processes that enable MSME to access credit seamlessly. As on 31st March 2018, the Bank has financed about 5.37 lakh micro entrepreneurs with aggregate outstanding of Rs. 32,766 crore.

Mayank Mehta, Executive Director, Bank of Baroda said, “Technological developments have resulted in a paradigm shift in the economy.  Emerging new business revolving around organised retail, e-commerce, entertainment etc. have provided the wealth of opportunities to micro-entrepreneurs to expand their market and customer base without having any physical setup. Bank of Baroda is redefining the credit underwriting process by utilising the latest technology, platform data for assessments and monitoring thus supporting new business segments that are emerging in the gig economy.”

The partnerships which can be classified as belonging to “Twin Tracks” comprising old economy and new economy are as under