Business
How to Achieve your SMART Financial Goals in 2016
Everyone desires financial success, but that desire must be matched with SMART financial goals to translate to success.
Most times, we set financial goals that are self-defeating. The reason it seems like New Year resolutions to eat healthier or exercise regularly almost always fail by the second month of the year is because most times, we do not set clear parameters for success. In the end, our resolution becomes merely a wish.
Setting S.M.A.R.T. financial goals forces us to become accountable and ensures that we actualize our goals towards financial security.
With a brand promise to make banking simply and smarter, Union Bank has created several solutions to ensure that customers meet their financial goals when they make SMART decisions about their finances.
MAKING S.M.A.R.T FINANCIAL GOALS:
1. BE SPECIFIC
First, your financial goals should be as specific as possible in order to successfully achieve exactly what you want. Always include as much detail as possible.
How much do I earn?
How much do I spend?
What are my fixed expenses?
How much disposable income do I have?
Being able to answer this questions then you can know exactly how much you have to spend.
Union Bank created the UnionKorrect savings scheme to conveniently help its customers achieve their financial goals. Whether your dream is to buy a car or save towards the purchase of a land, with as little as N5000 monthly savings with your UnionKorrect account, we will set you on a path to achieving your dream over a set period of time. In addition, with UnionKorrect customers stand a chance to win up to N1million in a quarterly draw. With UnionKorrect, you can save small and do big things. To open a UnionKorrect account, call 0700 700 7000.
2. YOUR GOAL SHOULD BE MEASURABLE
In order to achieve your goal, it must be measurable. For example, simply saying “I want to save more” is not measurable. Even if you have a vague idea of what that would mean for yourself, you have no way of knowing when you’ve achieved it or how you plan to achieve it. If you were to say, “I would like to save N1, 000,000 in 4 years for a plot of land” this would be measurable and achievable with a UnionKorrect account. A standing instruction is placed on your existing Union Bank account and your UnionKorrect account is credited monthly with starting at N5000 or any multiple amount you specify.
A standing order (or a standing instruction) is an instruction a bank account holder gives to his or her bank to pay a set amount at regular intervals to another account.
3. IS YOUR GOAL ATTAINABLE?
Ensure to set financial goals that are attainable. This is why setting specific, detailed goals are important. By identifying what you hope to achieve, you can identify potential roadblocks and obstacles that could make it difficult to get where you want to be financially.
4. BE REALISTIC
Much like your goal should be attainable, it should also be realistic. While we aren’t suggesting that realistic should equal easy, ensure that your goals present a challenge you are able to overcome. It will take effort but it is not impossible.
5. TIMELY
Lastly, ensure that your goal is timely. In order to be measurable, your goals must have a well-defined timeframe. Often times, we do not consider time when we set our goals and it leads us to setting high expectations over a short period of time, causing us to abandon our goals midway when we don’t see the desired progress. UnionKorrect is a tenured savings solution that helps you achieve financial progress over a reasonably set period of time ensuring that you are not overstretched as you work towards your financial goals.
So, have you set your SMART financial goals? Call Union Bank today on 0700 700 7000 and sign up for UnionKorrect or any of our other financial solutions to help you achieve you goals.
Not a Union Bank customer yet? Visit any of our branches or Smarter Banking Centers and select the right financial solution for you.
Our Smarter Banking centers are self-service branches designed for technology savvy customers who want quick, easy, on-the-go banking.
With other smart solutions like UnionMobile – our mobile banking app and our online banking platform UnionOnline, you can access secure and convenient banking services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To learn more about how Union Bank is making banking simpler and smarter, please visit www.unionbankng.com and follow us on social media
https://www.facebook.com/UnionBank
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Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.
The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.
With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19
It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.
Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.
In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.
For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.
Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”
Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.
With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.
About HabariPay
HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:
GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com
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