Connect with us

Bank

Access Bank PLC expands global footprint with launch of French subsidiary

Published

on

Access Bank restates commitment to deepen presence in Kenyan market after discontinuation of Sidian Bank acquisition

Access Bank PLC expands global footprint with launch of French subsidiary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lagos, 11 May 2023 – Access Bank PLC, the flagship company of Access Holdings PLC, has officially launched its subsidiary in Paris, France. The Bank’s operations will focus on trade finance, initially capitalising on flows between Africa and France, particularly Francophone Africa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sahara Weekly Reports That Herbert Wigwe, Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings PLC, speaking on the purpose of the Bank’s strategic expansion efforts said, “Access Bank PLC, today, has a very strong presence in the United Kingdom, but coming on the heels of Brexit, there was a need for us to establish a presence in another country in Europe and France provides a very strong platform for us to do so. Beyond that, Access Bank has a great presence in the Francophone world that relies significantly – in terms of trade – on France, so, Access Bank in Paris will work to support trade possibilities and trade finance solutions to businesses in those regions, ranging from large conglomerates to SMEs and more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Access Bank PLC expands global footprint with launch of French subsidiary

 

 

“Our range of banking products and services will be a valuable asset for businesses looking to trade internationally, while our corporate and investment banking services will help businesses access capital, manage their cash flow, and mitigate risk. Furthermore, we are confident that the Bank’s trade finance solutions will help businesses to navigate the complexities of cross-border trade, and at the same time, our digital capabilities will make banking more convenient and efficient for all our customers,” he reiterated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recognising the critical role of the Bank’s various stakeholders in making the expansion drive successful, Wigwe stressed the value of its customers, shareholders, regulators, and the communities it operates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Our successes over the years would be footnotes but for the relationships we have fostered with these critical contributors. In recognition of this, we are committed to building long-term partnerships with all our stakeholders in France – based on trust, transparency, and mutual respect,” he added.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Access Bank’s presence in France represents an important step towards achieving its goal of bridging worlds and connecting opportunities for African businesses. The Bank’s latest stride also lays a marker for realising its recently unveiled 5-year strategic growth plan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Over the years, we have demonstrated a strong commitment to deepening the Bank’s presence across Africa and beyond,” remarked Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director, Access Bank PLC, at the launch. “Today, we are proud to have a presence in 18 countries across four continents, serving millions of customers and businesses. Indeed, our expansion drive has been guided by our vision to become the world’s most respected African bank, and by building on our strong track record of innovation, customer service, and social responsibility, we have come one step closer to achieving this goal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We remain committed to building a bank that is truly global in scope, yet locally relevant in its approach, and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to grow and expand our footprint in new markets,” Ogbonna concluded.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Access Bank UK, led by Jamie Simmonds, will oversee the operations of the Paris subsidiary and will effectively become the umbrella company for other representative offices in the country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the launch of its operations in France, Access Bank is uniquely positioned to create opportunities for scaled economic growth and development across Africa while helping international investors see the continent as a viable market to do business. To facilitate the flow of capital, goods, and services across borders and support economic growth and development in both regions of focus, the Bank will leverage its expertise in cross-continental trade and its strong network of partners and clients.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L-R: Jamie Simmonds, CEO, Access Bank UK Limited; Dr. Herbert Wigwe; GMD/CEO, Access Holdings Plc; Olivier Becht, France Minister of Foreign Trade; Aigboje Aig-Imoukuede, Chairman, Coronation Capital; Roosevelt Ogbonna, MD/CEO, Access Bank Plc and Pascal Furth, Head of Regional economic Department, French Embassy, Nigeria, during the launch of Access bank branch in Paris, France… on Thursday

 

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Bank

UBA, Mastercard Introduce 75th Anniversary Card with Exclusive Benefits, Discounts

Published

on

UBA, Mastercard Introduce 75th Anniversary Card with Exclusive Benefits, Discounts

 

As part of activities to mark its 75th anniversary, Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has teamed up with Mastercard to introduce a special commemorative Debit Card.

 

This exclusive card offers UBA customers exciting deals and attractive discounts across multiple platforms, enhancing their banking experience in a memorable way.

 

The commemorative card which was unveiled at the bank’s corporate head office in Marina, Lagos, on Wednesday, is a custom-built card created with the intention of appreciating customers and other users for their loyalty throughout the seven and half decades of impactful journey.

 

UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, who spoke at the unveiling, emphasised that the card, comes loaded with irresistible benefits aimed at impressing customers, including 25% off purchases on Jumia and $75 cashback on transactions made through AliExpress.

 

This according to him, symbolizes the shared vision between UBA and Mastercard towards empowering Africans by enhancing customer experience through secure and convenient transactions.

 

He said, “This new card represents the deepening of our relationship and our shared mission to empower millions of Nigerians and Africans, providing them with access to secure transactions and new opportunities across the continent.

 

The GMD also disclosed the bank’s plans to unveil similar products across all its subsidiaries, adding, “We are proud of this collaboration, and we are confident that Mastercard’s role in Africa will only grow stronger in the coming years.”

 

The President, Africa, Mastercard, Mark Elliot, who expressed gratitude to the management of the bank on the partnership, emphasised the importance and potential of the partnership with UBA.

 

“We are thrilled to be partnering with UBA, which we know is one of the best banks in Africa. For us, it is a privilege to work with a partner that shares our commitment towards digitizing the continent and enhancing customer experience through secure and convenient transactions.”

 

Elliot who noted the immense opportunities in the African payment ecosystem, said the organisation looks forward to exploring them with UBA. “Africa is currently one of the most attractive payment markets worldwide, and it’s clear that by 2030, the continent will likely become the fastest-growing equity market,” he said.

 

“Meeting the UBA management is always inspiring, as we always come up with bold and strategic ideas, and today is no exception. We are excited to match our shared ambitions,” Elliot stated.

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leadi

ng Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than thirty-five million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries. With presence in New York, London, Paris and Dubai, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.

 

UBA, Mastercard Introduce 75th Anniversary Card with Exclusive Benefits, Discounts

Continue Reading

Bank

FirstBank Host Fintech Summit 6.0, Launches Fintech Innovators Pitch Programme

Published

on

No Plan for Customer Systems upgrade FirstBank assures

FirstBank Host Fintech Summit 6.0, Launches Fintech Innovators Pitch Programme

 

Lagos, Nigeria – November 6. FirstBank, the premier West African financial institution and financial inclusion service provider is excited to announce its 6th annual Fintech Summit, themed “Banking on Partnerships,” scheduled to hold on November 13 and 14, 2024. This year’s edition will bring together renowned subject matter experts, innovators, and industry leaders from around the world to explore the latest trends and advancements in financial technology.

Since its inception in 2016, the FirstBank Fintech Summit has established itself as a premier event, attracting top subject matter experts in digital innovation from Nigeria and around the globe. While the Summit transitioned online in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event will be hosted as a hybrid affair, enabling participants from around the world to engage with renowned speakers and insightful discussion.

A key highlight of this year’s summit is the launch of the Fintech Innovators Pitch Programme, designed to empower early-stage fintech startups and cultivate innovation within the financial services ecosystem. Selected startups will benefit from intensive training and mentorship, culminating in an opportunity to pitch their groundbreaking solutions to FirstBank, prominent investors, and industry experts.  Winning Startups will receive essential support from FirstBank to propel their products to market, including strategic guidance, resources, and access to a vast network.

The FirstBank Fintech Summit 6.0 promises a dynamic lineup of sessions and invaluable networking opportunities, positioning it as a must-attend gathering for industry leaders and innovators. The two-day Summit will feature expert keynote addresses and panel discussions, regulatory roundtable, investor roundtable, fireside chats and masterclasses.

Emmanuel Daniel, the founder of TAB Global—a research, publication, and consulting firm known for platforms like The Asian Banker, Wealth and Society, The Banking Academy, and TAB Insights—will be a key speaker at the upcoming event. He will be joined by Olusegun Alebiosu, the Managing Director and CEO of FirstBank Group, along with a lineup of distinguished guest speakers and panellists which include Dr. (Mrs) Markie Idowu, GMD/CEO of Xpress Payment Solutions Limited; ’DeRemi Atanda, Managing Director of Remita; Tomilola Majekodunmi, Co-Founder and CEO of Bankly; Obi Emetarom, Co-Founder and CEO of ZONE; Oladipo Alabede, Regional Managing Director, West Africa (Acquiring) Network International; Obianuju Odukwe, VP of Digital & API Ecosystems at Interswitch Group; Ashley Immanuel, Co-Founder and COO of SemiColon; Chijioke Dozie, Co-Founder of Carbon; Yewande Sulaiman, Managing and Product Consultant at ProduqtEdge.

With its hybrid format, participants from around the world can access the same quality of discussions and speakers. To register for the Fintech Summit, interested participants can click on https://fintech.firstbanknigeria.com/#/?lang=en

Speaking on the Summit, the CEO FirstBank Group, Olusegun Alebiosu said “This year’s summit provides a platform to unite industry leaders, innovators, regulators, and thought leaders to explore how collaboration and partnerships can shape the future of financial services and technology. As FirstBank continues to lead in innovation, this event presents another unique opportunity to engage with key stakeholders and deepen our understanding of emerging trends in the Fintech landscape emphasizing our role not only as a participant but also as a leading and preferred partner in the Fintech domain.”

The FirstBank Fintech Summit is one of the initiatives that the Bank has established to drive innovation and foster growth in the financial technology sector. By bringing together thought leaders and disruptors in the field, the Summit serves as a catalyst for transformative ideas and collaboration.

 

Continue Reading

Business

“Our Technology Infrastructure Now Best in Class, Thanks for Your Understanding”, Zenith Assures Customers

Published

on

Zenith Bank Enhances E-Channel Services for Customers

 

“Our Technology Infrastructure Now Best in Class, Thanks for Your Understanding”, Zenith Assures Customers

 

Zenith Bank Plc has announced that it now boasts the best technology infrastructure in the banking industry, positioning itself to provide an exceptional customer experience and superior service delivery moving forward. This upgrade follows a recent comprehensive technology enhancement.

The bank expressed its heartfelt gratitude to customers for their support and patience throughout the upgrade process, while also extending apologies for any inconveniences experienced during this time.

This announcement was made in a social media post on Wednesday, signed by Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, the Group Managing Director/CEO.

In her message, the GMD/CEO emphasized the bank’s commitment to delivering an unparalleled service experience, stating, “We undertook this upgrade to ensure we can offer our customers the best possible service.”

Umeoji pledged that Zenith Bank will continue to innovate, ensuring that customer needs are met swiftly, safely, and conveniently.

The post read in part: “On behalf of the Board, Management, and Staff of Zenith Bank PLC, I would like to thank you for your patience and support during our IT infrastructure migration to a new and more robust operating system.

“We are truly grateful for the trust and confidence you have placed in us. The primary reason for undertaking this extensive endeavor was to better position Zenith Bank PLC for improved service delivery to all our valued customers and to create memorable banking experiences at all our touchpoints.

“While I regret the inconveniences and challenges you faced during and immediately after our migration, I am pleased to inform you that Zenith Bank PLC now has the best technology infrastructure in the industry. We are committed to ensuring you experience superior service delivery going forward.

“Rest assured, you remain our top priority, and Zenith Bank will continue to innovate and offer value-added products and services to meet all your banking needs quickly, safely, and conveniently.”

Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending