Spatial Distribution of Commercial Banks in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The spatial distribution of banks in any geographic entity determines the level of accessibility to its services by the public. This study examined the pattern of banks distribution in lIorin metropolis. Field survey was employed in determining the number or available commercial hanks and their respective distances between each other. The spatial analysis technique such as the nearest neighbour analysis as used ascertain the degree of clustering, density and the average distance taken to access these services. The study revealed that about 9% of the total number of banks arc situated in the Central Business District which exhibited a very a high degree of clustering (Rn = 0.59). This cased interbank interactions within the CBD as the average interbank distance is 0.37kl11 and with a little measure of cost to customers who reside outside the CBD. It also discovercd that a branch of U.B.A. PLC 'was the only bank located in interior (traditional/unbanked) of Ilorin metropolis. Based on this, it was recommended that banking services should be extended to the traditional settlement areas where indigenes reside to encourage and improve their banking culture.