Finance Roadshows For Women’s Network

/ 16th August 2016 /

The Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) is undertaking a number of roadshows in the autumn with Network Ireland to spread the word about how women can fund their enterprises.

Network Ireland is a national organisation supporting the personal and professional development of women.

The free roadshows will commence on September 20 in Kildare and will be targeting female entrepreneurs and business women.

Enterprise minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor commented: “A big focus for the SBCI is to proactively encourage a cultural change in the business community when it comes to funding their businesses.

“By taking a fresh approach to funding SMEs in Ireland, the SBCI aims to deliver lower cost loans to Irish businesses and the farming community by working in partnership with the banking system and other finance providers. I would encourage SMEs or future entrepreneurs to attend these informative roadshows.”

Deirdre Waldron, president of Network Ireland, said the objective of the roadshows is to encourage Network Ireland members and all other attendees to challenge the current perceptions around funding for their businesses and help introduce a new way of thinking for financing their businesses.

Waldron added: “The theme I chose for my role as President is ‘Fuelling Ambition’. I want to encourage as many business women as possible to be braver and more ambitious about their businesses. Too often, we as women are letting our fears or perceptions hold us back and, with an organisation such as the SBCI offering access to flexible funding for Irish SMEs, this is very encouraging for all business owners,”

The SBCI doesn’t lend directly – it provides finance to banks and finance companies. SBCI currently provides financing through AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank as well as through the following non-bank finance providers – Finance Ireland, Merrion Fleet, Bibby Financial Services, and First Citizen. Since March 2015, the SBCI says its funding of €347 million has been advanced to 8,620 SMEs.

SBCI’s Jillian Mahon said the roadshows will feature case studies. “Attendees will also learn about finance products currently available from the SBCI’s partners as well as new product developments to be delivered in the near future which are specifically designed to address the financing challenges experienced by the SME sector.”