The research seeks to explore why women in Zimbabwe still face hindrances in accessing micro finance services and what can be done to meet their needs in a more holistic and effective way. Women play a crucial role in the economic development of their families and communities but are faced with certain obstacles that hinder them from performing their role effectively. Such hindrances as poverty, unemployment, low household income and societal discrimination. UNIFEM (1992) confirms that the majority of the world‟s poor have a predominantly female face and argues that women earn only 10 percent of world‟s income and own less than 10 percent of the world‟s property. African women have been characterised by the lack of empowerment caused by societal perceptions and negative cultural practice. In many cases of women rights violation it has been noted that this has been exacerbated by the over reliance on the male counterpart. Development practitioners have noted that micro finance as one of the strategies needed for women empowerment. Despite the concept having been practiced for at least 15 years now, women still face challenges in accessing micro finance services. There is need for Micro Finance Institutions to recognise the position of women in relation to men as actors in society.

The strategic importance of a well-established banking sector in an economy and the pivotal role trust plays in this sector is well-documented in banking literature. Given this accepted importance of trust, it is surprising that some banks are still exhibiting more signals of distrust than of trust as expected, shattering consumer trust and confidence in the process. In response, governments, through their central banks, occasionally resort to implementing policies that focus heavily on regulation and control. These interventions are usually designed to restore consumer confidence in the banks’ future behaviours as well as providing assurance that exchanges taking place within a banking sector are safe and secure. Surprisingly, consumer trust and confidence are still elusive in some banking sectors, despite all these measures. This mixed-methods, sequential explanatory study explores the concept of trustworthiness by investigating trustworthiness dimensions of banks that drive consumer trust in the Zimbabwean banking sector that is experiencing low trust and confidence levels. To fulfil the objectives of this study, a quantitative research approach (survey) was first employed to explore bank customers’ trustworthiness perceptions on a sample of 400 customers. A qualitative research approach (semi-structured interviews), was then employed to gain a better understanding and clarification of the survey findings. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was applied to determine the statistical model that sought to explain the relationship among the variables. Hypotheses were then tested between model constructs to determine their influence on one another. Study findings revealed that shared values, structural assurance and integrity (consistency) are the trustworthiness determinants with the highest positive influence on bank trustworthiness. A negative relationship was found between communication and bank trustworthiness. Competence was found to have an insignificant correlation with trustworthiness. Additionally, both behavioural intentions and affective commitment (relational outcomes) were found to positively influence bank trustworthiness. This study has brought to light how trustworthiness of banks is perceived in a banking sector that is not only experiencing a confidence crisis but also in a country that is experiencing an uncertain economic and political environment within an African banking context. The final model presented in this study can be applied in trustworthiness studies in the financial services sectors, particularly in sectors that are operating in similar uncertain environments. In order to reignite consumer confidence in the banking sector, the RBZ is advised to set tighter corporate governance measures that can put a stop to activities such as insider lending that end up defrauding depositors within the banks. It is also imperative that departments such as Treasury, Risk and Credit within the RBZ and in banks are managed by competent personnel who adhere to the prudential standards of banking. Bank custodians are advised to continuously exhibit trustworthiness behaviours because customers’ trust and confidence can only be restored if there is evidence of sincere behaviours that are regarded as reflecting a trustworthy image. Planning for peak periods in terms of cash and personnel, to avoid prolonged queues and cash shortages that have become an everyday occurrence in the Zimbabwean banking sector is one way banks can improve trust and confidence. Banks should also consider providing services such as financial hardship advisory services and extended loan repayment options that can go a long way in not only assisting their customers to manage their debts, but also to show that banks are taking into consideration their customers’ current challenges and needs. Key stakeholders in the banking sector are also encouraged to share information on key developments integral to the smooth functioning of the banking sector. This information should then be disseminated to the banking public in a unified voice to avoid distortion of information that leads to financial anxiety and further erosion of trust. In the absence of formal timeous communication, bank customers may resort to relying on the grapevine and engage in speculative behaviours which can be very destructive and difficult to correct. / Business Management / D.B.L.