Abstract

This study investigated the impact of inaccessibility of bank finance and lack of financial management knowledge to small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in the Buffalo City Municipality. The objectives of the study were to determine the impact of lack of financial management knowledge on access to finance, to investigate effects of lack of bank finances to the success and growth of SMMEs, to determine the impact of financial illiteracy to the success and growth of SMMEs and to identify possible solutions to the problem of inaccessibility of bank finance and lack of financial management knowledge. A questionnaire was used to gather data from respondents. Simple random sampling technique was used. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings of this research showed that SMMEs in the Buffalo City Municipality find it difficult to access bank finance. The research results also showed that inaccessibility of bank finance have a greater impact on survival and success of SMMEs. It also highlighted that lack of financial management knowledge have an impact on survival and growth of SMMEs. SMMEs are encouraged to explore other financing options and also to take responsibility for acquiring skills and knowledge that will lead them to success.

Key words: SMMEs, impact, inaccessibility of finance, financial management, knowledge, bank.