There is no doubt that at the core of FirstBank’s growth trajectory is the commitment to continually design and innovate its products and provide services that makes banking easy and seamless for their customers in every nook and cranny of every nation where they operate. Since its establishment in 1894, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has established itself as a brand of strength and dynamism with a vision to be Africa’s Bank of first choice. Through an unwavering commitment to excellence and a steadfast vision to transform the financial landscape, FirstBank has built an award winning brand. The financial year 2023 has so far been a great one for the bank as their outstanding services has attracted numerous recognitions and awards, most especially on the bank’s delivery of excellent banking services to its customers across Sub-Saharan Africa. These accolades and achievements attest to the delivery of exceptional commitment to promoting national, regional and global economic growth and development through constructive engagements with the public and private sectors of various economies and their host communities across the globe. Some of the awards won this year include Best Private Bank for Sustainable Investing in Africa 2023 by Global Finance in acknowledgement of the bank’s detailed attention to the unique requirements of highnet-worth customers as they seek to increase, protect and pass on their wealth. Best Financial Inclusion Provider in Africa award 2023, by Digital Banker Africa. The Bank was recognised for being the foremost financial institution to provide the market with innovative solutions, aimed at addressing the needs of the underserved communities. These feats were possible through the Bank’s strategic investment in state of the art and global standard banking products and services. The bank is also widely known for embracing modern technologies and artificial intelligence with the widest spread and strength in physical and online banking. Today, the bank boasts of over 215538 Agents servicing 772 of the 774 Local Government Areas of the country which has been impactful in driving increased financial access and empowering communities by meeting them where they are. Undoubtedly, the Agent Banking scheme has led to massive job creation and increased GDP.
African Bank of the year by African Leadership Magazine, Next 100 Global Awards – Retail Bank by Global Banking & Finance and Next 100 Global Awards – Digital Experience Center by Global Banking & Finance are other awards presented to the bank for its exceptional performance and for its prominent role in promoting innovation by launching the Digital Experience Centre (DXC). The DXC is a significant leap by the bank in revolutionising the banking industry in the country as it is a state-of-the-art hub that puts customers at an advantage in experiencing world class innovative banking services and explore the future of banking firsthand. World Finance also presented The Best Private Bank Award to FirstBank this year. Other Awards received by the bank this year also include Best Corporate Bank West Africa as well as Best CSR Bank West Africa 2023. These awards are befitting for the impactful implementation of its SPARK initiative in fostering and advancing conscious acts of kindness across West Africa. Launched in 2017 during the Bank’s Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability {CR&S] week, Start Performing Random Acts of Kindness {SPARK} initiative is a value-based initiative designed to raise consciousness of the need to be kind to others, reinforcing the core values of humanity. The health sector was not left out in the series of activities as over 22 Charities and Foundations such as Down Syndrome Foundation, Sickle Cell Foundation, National Association of the Blind, as people with health challenges got various forms of support, amongst many others. The community-based impact had its olive branch extended to petty traders and school children. Students were encouraged to take their studies seriously, through school fees support. The SPARK initiative impact cases are endless and diverse from community to community. For over 129 years, FirstBank have proved beyond any shadow of doubt that indeed it is truly woven into the fabric of society, standing with the Country, its host communities and people through thick and thin. The Bank has stood strong, like the elephant it is in the country’s financial industry, assisting where and when needed, always putting the customer first. Best Retail Bank – Nigeria 2023 by International Finance Awards. The two groups at the core of retail banking – the unbanked and the under-banked have been fully serviced by the bank with its over 750 business locations, over 215538 FirstMonie Agents spread across 99% of the 774 Local Government Areas of Nigeria. The bank boasts an extensive and diversified customer base of over 42 million accounts. Surely, an award well merited. FirstBank won the Most Innovative Banking Product – Fast Track ATM – Nigeria 2023 by International Finance Awards. The bank won this award for demonstrating its commitment to innovative financial solutions by pioneering the Fast Track ATM. The touch less solution enables USSD string or mobile banking app to initiate and later complete transactions by tapping contact less Near Field Communication card on a designated ATM. The awards keep rolling in as the accolades keep coming and congratulations are in order again as the bank was presented with The Financial Institution of the Year 2023 by Afreximbank Pan African Business and Development Awards. The award was presented at The Pan African Business and Development Awards hosted by the African Export-Import Bank {Afreximbank} in association with the Business Council for Africa in Accra, Ghana for its excellent performance in the business and financial sector. Following the Bank’s impressive performance in its half year financial result, undoubtedly, the Bank will be recognised with more awards and triumphs beyond the bottom line as 2023 gradually comes to an end. ‘
Tosin Ajayi
www.theplatformonline.com
