Bank of Maldives BML has announced positive changes to the Retailers’ Loan targeted to help businesses meet daily needs or fund expansions.

BML said that the Retailers’ Loan is available for businesses as a loan or as an overdraft, with financing up to three times the value of the monthly average Point-of-Sale (POS) volume.

The Bank said with the change in eligibility criteria announced today, the minimum monthly average POS sales have been reduced from MVR 50,000 to MVR 30,000, allowing more businesses across the country to apply for the loan.

It also said that to be eligible for the loan, businesses are also required to have 12-months of continuous POS sales

It said that the Bank has relaxed these criteria to consider the hardest hit months for business sales during Covid-19.

BML added that the minimum monthly average POS sales of MVR 30,000 will now be considered only for the past 6 months, not taking into account the months from April to June given many businesses were negatively impacted due to the lockdown period.

BML’s Director of Retail and SME Banking, Moosa Nimal commented that the bank has taken several measures to support our business community during Covid-19.

He noted that BML is pleased to bring changes both to the Retailers’ Loan and the BML Islamic Retailers’ Financing to ease financing for small businesses during this period of recovery.