Critical Reasoning

In emerging economies in Africa and other regions, large foreign banks that were set up during the colonial era have long played a major economic role. These institutions have tended to confine their business to the wealthier of banks' potential customers. But development of these countries' economies requires financing of the small businesses that dominate their manufacturing, farming, and services sectors. So economic growth will be likely to occur if local banks take on this portion of the financial services markets, since __________.

Which of the following completions would produce the strongest argument?

A. local banks tend not to strive as much as large foreign banks to diversify their investments
B. small farming and manufacturing businesses contribute to economic growth if they obtain adequate investment capital
C. large foreign banks in emerging economies could, with local employees and appropriate local consultation, profitably expand their business to less wealthy clients
D. some small businesses are among the wealthier customers of foreign banks in emerging economies
E. local banks in emerging economies tend to be less risk-averse than foreign banks

B

Source: Official Guide 2020