SME Ratings

Small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) are the lifeblood of any economy and especially ours in Zimbabwe. FCB recently launched the SME Ratings Programme to address the glaring asymmetry that exists in Zimbabwe between the importance of SMEs to the economy (accounting for c. 90% of employment and c. 60% of GDP) compared to their access to affordable formal financial services (c. 6% of bank lending).

The SME Ratings Programme initiative is designed to be of sustaining benefit to SMEs that join. An initial rating is performed that, in itself, may already open up or improve access to finance for the SME though our partner financial institutions. The rating model we use has been adapted for the Zimbabwe market from one developed and built with funding from the World Bank and the EU specifically for SMEs in our region of Africa. As a result, a significant proportion of the rating assessment is based on qualitative measures regarding the business owner/managers, i.e. it does not rely on financial information alone, and highlights strengths to be leveraged or weakness that need to be addressed in order to improve the rating. Therefore, we view the rating as just the first step in a journey to assisting SMEs to enhance and grow their business skills.

  • Click here to listen to the SFM interview regarding SME Ratings on 10th June 2014
  • Click here to read the interview regarding SME Ratings appearing in NewsDay on 27th June 2014
  • Click here to read the article regarding SME credit for Women in NewsDay on 26th March 2015

Press Statement

Recently it was reported that a unit going by the name FCB Zimbabwe had been blacklisted. Please be advised that Portcullis P/L t/a Financial Clearing Bureau is no way associated with the advertising unit named FCB Zimbabwe.

The Bureau, as we are affectionately known, is vibrant credit reference Bureau, the largest in Zimbabwe, and does not extend its business lines to include advertising and or marketing. We understand some of our clients are vexed by the similarities emanating from the name "FCB" which has become a trade name abbreviation for our product and business line.

We are well managed, thriving and financially sound going concern, which continues to grow in size and stature. Should you have any queries please feel free to contact us on Harare landlines 794367 - 9

Business Intelligence Report

This is thorough report on corporates, showing:

  • Shareholding structure.
  • Director information and their standard FCB reports.
  • FCB company report.
  • Company credit history, with information for the credit registry.
  • Financials for the last 5 years.
  • Financial analysis of the financials.
  • Trade reference reports on trade debtors and creditors.