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Fidelity Bank deepens Exporters’ capacity in Abuja

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Fidelity Bank deepens Exporters’ capacity in Abuja

Fidelity Bank deepens Exporters’ capacity in Abuja

Leading financial institution -Fidelity Bank Plc – has once again demonstrated its devotion to boost the volume of non-oil exports in the country as it recently hosted entrepreneurs within the North-Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria to the 13th edition of its Export Management Programme (EMP 13) in Abuja.

The event which was a five-days intensive programme, held between Monday, 18 and Friday, 22 July 2022 at Novare Central, Wuse Zone 5 in the nation’s capital. It featured insightful presentations from leading experts in the nation’s export industry including regulators, academics and businessmen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking on the EMP, the Divisional Head, Export and Agriculture, Fidelity Bank Plc, Isaiah Ndukwe said, “We launched the EMP in 2016 with the objective of helping Nigerian businesses pivot to exports. Since then and in partnership with the Lagos Business School and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), we have hosted 12 editions of the training. We are delighted by the feedback from customers and non-customers that have benefited from the initiative especially the uptick in their business performance after participating in the programme.”

It would be recalled that Fidelity Bank launched a series of sensitization programmes to drive non-oil exports across the country in February this year. Tagged, “The CBN RT200 FX Sensitisation Seminar”, the workshops featured presentations from experts in the exports space on how businesses can take advantage of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) drive to raise $200billion in foreign exchange earnings in the next three to five years through non-oil exports. Till date, the bank has hosted the seminars in Kano, Akure, Jos and Benin-City -in partnership with the Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO) and GIZ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Just like our CBN RT200 FX Sensitisation seminars, our EMP initiative is driven by our vision of establishing exports as a strategic business pillar given the immense opportunities it bodes for our customers and the nation’s economy. We have therefore become the go-to bank for established and budding export businesses. Participants in EMP 13 have learnt how to list their products on global e-commerce platforms like Amazon, the necessary documentation for exports, how to take advantage of export-oriented policies, amongst a host of insightful discussions”, explained Ndukwe.

Making a case for Nigerian businesses to embrace non-oil exports at the opening ceremony of the training, Dr Ezra Yakusak, Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), who was represented by Mr Babatunde Falake, Director, International Export Office, NEPC said, “Recent developments in our national economy and indeed the global economy have made it clear to us that more emphasis should now be laid on export of our vast resources if we must survive as a nation. It is unfortunate that Nigeria, having been blessed with resources in agriculture, solid minerals, entertainment industry, creative arts, Information and Communication Technology, fashion and of course manufacturing, has continued to rely on export of crude oil as the major source of foreign exchange.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The well attended capacity development programme also feature insightful discussions facilitated by officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) as well as excursions and networking sessions.

Fidelity Bank is a full-fledged commercial bank operating in Nigeria with over 6.5 million customers serviced across its 250 business offices and digital banking channels. The bank was recently recognized as the Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 by the Global Banking & Finance Awards. The bank has also won awards for the “Fastest Growing Bank” and “MSME & Entrepreneurship Financing Bank of the Year” at the 2021 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

 

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Union Bank Rewards Customers with Motorcycles, Cash Prizes in 3rd Save and Win Palli Promo 4 Monthly Draw

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Union Bank Rewards Customers with Motorcycles, Cash Prizes in 3rd Save and Win Palli Promo 4 Monthly Draw

Lagos, Nigeria— Union Bank of Nigeria has rewarded another set of customers in the ongoing Save and Win Palli Promo 4 campaign. Six lucky customers each won a brand-new motorcycle, and 120 additional winners won cash prizes.
The third monthly hybrid live draws were transparently conducted at the Bank’s Sabo, Yaba Branch in Lagos under the supervision of relevant regulatory institutions. For integrity purposes, some of the winners were contacted to congratulate and remind them that the Bank will never call to request or confirm their confidential banking details such as BVN, date of birth, pins, or passwords.

 

Save & Win Palli Promo 4 is a nationwide campaign designed to reward both new and existing customers with cash prizes and other exciting gifts worth N131,000,000. This initiative aims to support them in achieving their savings goals while getting rewarded at the same time.

 

To stand a chance to win, customers can continue to top up their savings in multiples of N10,000 or more and perform a minimum of five transactions a month to increase their chances of winning in the draws. This promo is open to new and existing savings and current account holders.

Prospective customers can download the UnionMobile app on their smartphones to open accounts or walk into any Union Bank branch. Returning customers can call the 24-hour Contact Centre on 07007007000 or visit any Union Bank branch nationwide to reactivate dormant accounts.

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Sterling Bank Takes Sides with Nigerians… … Eliminates bank transfer fees

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Sterling Bank Petitions IGP over Exploitation of NASS, Police Force CID

Sterling Bank Takes Sides with Nigerians…
… Eliminates bank transfer fees

 

LAGOS, NIGERIA– In a bold move that resets the rules of engagement in the Nigerian banking sector, Sterling Bank has removed transfer fees on its digital banking platform, OneBank. This decisive move makes Sterling the first major Nigerian bank to forgo earning a cut from customer transactions on its own app.

The initiative marks a turning point in the industry and reflects the bank’s deep-rooted
commitment to building a future where banking is affordable, accessible, and in tune with the everyday needs of Nigerians.

“This is not a gimmick. This is the future. And it starts now,” said Abubakar Suleiman, Chief
Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, during a press briefing in Lagos. “For years, Nigerians have paid fees just to move their own money. We’re saying no more.”

Suleiman explained that the decision stems from years of digital transformation. The bank builtba custom callback system capable of handling over five million customers, already processing more than 180 million transactions. It also migrated entirely from a legacy European core to a homegrown platform built for scale, and deployed a private cloud environment with capacity
well beyond current and future demand.

“We’ve engineered a platform that can support 50 times our current customer base without breaking a sweat,” Suleiman added. “It’s time to pass the benefits of that transformation back to the people.”

The zero-transfer-fee policy applies exclusively to users of OneBank, Sterling’s flagship digital app. New customers who sign up before April 30 will also receive a complimentary AfriGo debit card and lifetime access to fee-free transfers.

This is more than a product update. It’s an economic statement,” Suleiman said. “We are
taking sides with the customer, with the small business owner, with every Nigerian tired of being nickel-and-dimed by the system.”

Obinna Ukachukwu, Growth Executive leading the Consumer and Business Banking
Directorate, said the policy is both a reward for loyal customers and an invitation to new ones.

“We owe this to the customers who stuck with us through our transformation journey,”
Ukachukwu said. “We are also opening the door to anyone ready to bank differently. If you join us in April, you’re family, so you get the same lifetime benefits.”

He added that Sterling’s next steps would involve layering on even more value in the months ahead, targeting both individuals and businesses with tools that improve financial wellbeing and fuel economic growth.

“We still bear a portion of the transaction costs, including fees payable to other banks. But we’re doing this because we believe it’s right. And if others in the industry follow suit, we all win,” Ukachukwu concluded.
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About Sterling Bank
Sterling Bank is a forward-thinking financial institution committed to transforming lives through innovative solutions, exceptional service, unwavering integrity and a steadfast focus on it’s HEART strategy. As pioneers in digital banking and financial inclusion, Sterling continues to lead by example, proving that purpose-driven leadership can unlock transformative outcomes for individuals, businesses, and society at large.

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STERLING BANK LEADS PROTEST FOR REMOVAL OF BANK TRANSFER CHARGES

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STERLING BANK LEADS PROTEST FOR REMOVAL OF BANK TRANSFER CHARGES

 

LAGOS, NIGERIA – In a landmark move that sets a new benchmark for customer-focused
banking in Nigeria, Sterling Bank has championed the cancellation of bank transfer fees by major banks, announcing it will no longer take any money for itself for any local online transactions by its customers.

The announcement, made on April 1st, initially sparked widespread arguments, with many
assuming it was a marketing prank tied to April Fools’ Day. However, Sterling has confirmed that this is no stunt: the zero-transfer-fee policy is real, and effective immediately.

With this move, Sterling becomes the first major Nigerian bank to take a definitive stand against the long-standing practice of charging customers for everyday digital transfers, an issue that has grown increasingly contentious as digital banking adoption deepens.

“We believe access to your own money shouldn’t come with a penalty,” said Obinna
Ukachukwu, Growth Executive leading the Consumer and Business Banking Directorate. “This is more than a financial decision, it’s a values-based one. It reflects our commitment to making banking fair, inclusive, and truly customer focused.”

“We’re not yet the biggest bank in Nigeria, but we’ve been the boldest,” Ukachukwu added. “Sterling fearlessly believes in the future of Nigeria, and this is us backing Nigerians with more than words.”

Under the new policy, Sterling customers will enjoy free transfers for all local transactions
conducted via the bank’s mobile app. This translates into significant savings, particularly for individuals and new small business owners who make frequent daily transfers.

This customer-first orientation is not new for Sterling. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the bank stood out by providing supplementary payments to healthcare workers in public hospitals—at a time when few others were willing or able to offer additional support. From that moment to now, Sterling has continued to redefine what it means to be a responsible and responsive institution.

The bank’s latest move has been met with widespread public approval, sparking positive
reactions across social media and placing pressure on industry peers to follow suit.

We’re proud to lead this change,” Ukachukwu added. “We hope it inspires others to think
differently about what customers truly need from their banks, not just in services, but in values.”

Online communities were not excluded as WhatsApp Nigeria lit up with viral broadcasts as users forwarded the news across various groups, including one from a prayer circle that read: “Please my good people this is not a joke!!! Sterling Bank has just shocked Nigeria today o!! My neighbour Justina just transferred N100k and no charges!!! God bless Sterling Bank!!”. The message quickly gained traction, sparking massive public interest and mounting pressure on other banks to follow suit.

Sterling’s zero-fee policy is part of a broader strategy to transform the customer experience and deliver transparent, ethical banking solutions at scale.

 

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