Bank’s initiative empowers female entrepreneurs

Keystone Bank, through its Pink Network, recently organised a training programme aimed at growing the businesses of its array of female entrepreneurs.

The training, tagged PinkPreneur, which was held in Lagos, was the first of the planned series.
The programme, which highlighted efficient use of social media to promote businesses, also focused on business education and importance of creating a sustainable business structure, while educating the participants on the benefits of the flagship Pink Account.

One of the facilitators and the founder of Masterpiece Resource Development Centre, Mrs. Modupe Oyekunle, who spoke on discovering and developing business and career ideas, gave participants business tips and proper structuring.

The Divisional Head, Product and Marketing Support, Keystone Bank, Temitayo Olutoye, said the bank is committed to supporting female entrepreneurs, which was the strategic reason for creating the Pink Network and the training sessions.
“This account is about financial inclusion and making it possible for women to express themselves. It is also a simple account that speaks to the need of every woman. It is about speaking to the needs of women and bringing us together and letting us express ourselves,” she said.

She also urged the participants to take advantage of the bank’s e-commerce platform as well as the other benefits offered by this account to ease and encourage female entrepreneurs.“We also have mentors on the platform and those interested in shopping can go to the market place. Also, those interested in life materials can go to the resource centre. It is a unique platform and it is part of what the brand stands for. For us, it’s about passion, convenience and reliability.

The benefits of opening a Pink Account includes access to 60 per cent of the N220 billion Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund set aside for women entrepreneurs; discounts from partner stores/businesses on purchases or services; digital marketing and networking,” she said.
According to her, there are free SME tool kits from Enterprise Development Centre for Capacity Building, zero Commission on Turnover and yearly Gift Cards of N50,000 on qualifying for yearly average balance.