Liquidity Problems In Commercial Banks In Enugu State)
ABSTRACT : This study is aimed at appraising the liquidity problems in commercial banking in Enugu state with a view of determining how these problems affects commercial banking business, as well as determining whether the policies imposed by the central bank has actually solved the liquidity problems of commercial banks or not. In doing this, we want to classify the period under review (1980-1980) into want to pre-sfem period and the post-sfem period. In order words, the study intends to discuss the pre-sefem and post-sfem experiences of banks and offer useful suggestions as to how their problems could be alleviated if not eradicated. For this purpose, empirival survey and history research was carried out and the statistical tool used is percentages. The source of data for this study are both primary and secondary where the primary soruce consists of questionnaires and oral interviews, the secondary source is in the form of books, journals and news papers. The research revealed that prior to the introduction of the structural adjustment programme with the second tier foreign exchange market (sfem) as its main feature, the problem has been that of excess liquidity, however, the introduction of the structural adjustment programmes (SAP) brought about the present liquidity crunch in the banking system. It was further found out that both excess liquidity and shortage of liquidity affect the banks loans and advances as well as their profits. Further more, it was observed that the policies imposed by the central bank has not solved the (excess and shortage of) liquidity problems of commercial banks. As a result of these, it is suggested, among others, it is suggested among others, that banks should intensity their efforts towards acquiring more deposits drive for deposits (as it is popularly known) in order to alleviate the present problem of liquidity shortage in the system. Moreover, there should be effective supervision of the policies imposed by the central bank to combat the liquidity problems of commercial banks to ensure that the policies are adequately implemented. Other measure to alleviate either the excess or shortage of liquidity problems include adjustment of interest rates, adjustment of liquidity ratio, diversification of commercial banking services, establishment of more rural banks to mobilize rural savings and so on. The essence of these is to maintain adequate liquidity and at the same time make enough profit for the shareholders.
