The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has charged micro-finance banks (MFBs) to marry expansion with effective control.

The CBN said this was necessary to prevent backfire effects such as loss of focus, inability to effectively bring network of branches under effective control and management. The CBN gave this admonition at an occasion to mark the third anniversary of AB Microfinance at Protea Hotels, Lagos.

The CBN represented by Deputy Director, Other Financial Institutions Department (OFID), Mr. Bola Durojaiye commended the bank for its ability to combine expansion with effective control and solid management, describing it as a model for other microfinance houses.

Durojaiye noted that with the success story of the financial house in just three years of existence, it had shown that with strategic thinking, which he said its board was noted for and an effective management of human resources, microfinance operation could truly play its role as the engine room for the small and medium scale sector of the economy.

AB Microfinance, one of the new German investments in Nigeria has Access Holding from Germany International Financial Corporation in Belgium and African Development Bank Group as some of its major shareholders. Addressing the gathering made up of the bank’s shareholders, customers, members of staff and friends, its Managing Director, Susanne Hiefholzer said within three years of commencing operation, the bank had opened eight branches across Lagos and would open the ninth branch before the end of the year.

In addition to the newly planned one, Mrs. Heifholzer announced that the bank would open two more branches early next year at Alaba International Market and the Lagos Trade Fair Complex on Badagry-Mile 2 Express Way.

In the spirit of its mission to focus on and develop the SMEs, the managing director informed the gathering that the financial house gave loans to at least 2,500 entrepreneurs monthly. She stated that the bank had 26,000 clients, 16,000 outstanding loans and N3.4 billion portfolio.

Also speaking at the occasion, Chairman of the firm’s board, Dr. Bernd Zattler in retrospect declared that it was a well taken decision to invest in Nigeria, judging by what he called the huge achievement and contribution to the Nigerian economy, the bank had made.

Zattler described Nigeria as a great market with immense opportunity to control the African economy. The German investor announced plan to open microfinance banks in Zambia, Rwanda and Kenya soon, using Nigerian staff to train workers to use in these African countries.

One of the bank’s frontline customers, Alhaji Taofeek Adelekan expressed delight in the services provided by the firm. Adelekan, who re-called an occasion when he was trying to show appreciation for a good service rendered by one of the members of staff, he offered monetary gratification, and the worker bluntly refused, said it was encouraging such a thing was still found in a country labeled as one of the most corrupt globally.