I’ll just add on to MG’s excellent thread, last year @jacarepackages was exploring bank loan options. I went to my current bank, and got the same story “collateral, collateral etc.”
I always saw Exim Bank’s marketing of being small business friendly... https://twitter.com/marcgayle/status/1321959738490396672">https://twitter.com/marcgayle...

So I went to EXIM Bank.. same story.. collateral this, collateral that. “Do I have any land??” https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😕" title="Verwirrtes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Verwirrtes Gesicht">

I then considered @DBJamaica for a loan. What I got from them was that it was tied to the same banks that wouldn’t give me a loan in the first place https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤷🏾‍♂️" title="Achselzuckender Mann (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Achselzuckender Mann (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)">

So I’m hearing and seeing ads how “Banks are looking out for SME’s” bwoy it didn’t feel like it at all. No luck at all.

Then I came across this option from Shopify and was offered an cash advance. Of course I accepted and after approval. The funds were lodged to my account in 1 business day https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😮" title="Gesicht mit offenem Mund" aria-label="Emoji: Gesicht mit offenem Mund">

Funds were remitted from each JCP sale to repay and everything was repaid. Win Win!

Better must be done for local businesses not even startups to get to access funds.
We shouldn’t have to rely on foreign institutions for this.