The Center for Small Entrepreneurs (CSE) is an organization, whose main thrust is to develop and improve the business management skills of individuals engaged in micro to small-scale businesses.

The objective of its programs is to assist the entrepreneur to raise the level of management such that it is efficient. This prepares the ground for a more effective use of credit, which the center offers to qualified beneficiaries.

Presently, there are 2 types of financing packages being offered to qualified entrepreneurs: Individual Lending program and the Micro-lending program.

Individual Lending Program

The program  provides  the  entrepreneurs  with alternative access to credit. This frees the entrepreneur from the excessive requirements of banks as well as makes them independent of usurious lending. schemes of non-institutional moneylenders.

CSE believes that given the right financial package, micro and small entrepreneurs are empowered to sustain their business operations.
 

The program is open to the following sectors:
 

• Manufacturing
• Services
• Trading

Target Group

• CSE believes that given the right financial package, micro, cottage and small entrepreneurs are empowered to sustain their business operations.
• CSE supports micro, cottage and small entrepreneurs who manage “growth-oriented enterprises”.
• Growth-oriented enterprises are the ones which have the potential to grow bigger and contribute significantly to the country’s economic development especially in terms of providing additional employment and production of goods and services for the community.

Eligible Borrowers

Eligible  borrowers  are  Micro  and  Small Entrepreneurs who meet the following:
 

• The applicant is the owner of the enterprise;
• The asset size of the businness does not exceed P15 M;
• Business track record is for a period of at least one (1) year;
• Business located in Metro Manila;
• The entrepreneur should not be more than 55 years old; and
• Willing to attend  Business Development Seminar.

Loan Purpose
 

• Working capital for business expansion
• Acquisition of machineries and equipments
• Construction or improvements of work place or place of enterprise; or
• Trade financing.

Loan Amount

The minimum loan amount is PHP 30,000 and the maximum is PHP 300,000.00.

The approved loan amount will be based on the actual need of the business/enterprise.
 

Interest Rates and Other charges

Interest charged is 2% per month.

A processing fee of 3% and a consultation fee of 2% shall be deducted upon release of loan. However, as incentive for entrepreneurs who will maintain good credit standing with CSE, the consultation fee will be given back as rebate upon loan maturity.

Mode and Term of Payment

The loan may be paid bimonthly, or monthly depending on the business cash flow, of which repayment is set on a minimum of 3 months to a maximum of 12 months.

Loan Monitoring After Release

Upon approval of the loan, a Business Development Officer (BDO) will be visiting the entrepreneur and monitor the operations of the business at least once a month, until the maturity of the loan.

Security

Collateral
All loans shall be fully covered by any of the following:

• Real Estate Mortgage CREM);
• Deed of Absdlute Sale (DAS)- machinery, equipment or vehicle; and/or
• Merchandize Inventory, if trading Co-Maker

Steps on availment

1.   Attend the orientation seminar.
2.   Fill-up the Supervised Credit Application Form.
3.   Pay P200 for the application fee.
4.   Submit required business documents.
5.   Undergo business evaluation, charact~rIcredit investigation.
6.   If found favorable, application will be endorsed to the Credit Committee for final approval.
7.   Applicant will be notified if application is approved.
8.   Release of Loan.
9.   Technical assistance after the release.
 
Micro-Lending Program

• The new business financing program of CSE for micro and cottage entrepreneurs who do not qualify in the Supervised Credit Program
• Community-based in approach and targets group of micro and cottage entrepreneurs in a specific area
• Targets “livelihood-oriented enterprises”