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  • Access Bank Launches AccessX to Enhance Self-Service Banking

    Access Bank Launches AccessX to Enhance Self-Service Banking

    In a bid to provide top-notch digital service to its customers and demonstrate the best of innovative solutions through self-service banking, Access Bank Plc has launched AccessX that it termed an experience centre.

     

    The bank explained that the experience centre is a one-stop technology hub where its customers are taken on a digital tour spanning from Artificial intelligence to Robotics, and Smart data.

     

    The financial institution said the centre is related to digital channels and a place to demonstrate the best of its innovative solutions through self-service banking.

     

    Speaking with our business correspondent, the bank’s Executive Director, Retail Banking, Victor Etuokwu, said: “AccessX is an additional touchpoint to back up our customers.

     

    “It is recognition of the fact that 90 percent of our transactions are engagement with the customers is digital and so those require support from us in some forms either on their cards, mobile apps or internet banking are given.

     

    “As we are setting up this experience centre across the country, our customers will  have a point of contact where they can get support, find out what is new on digital and get speedy service that is outside of the traditional branches.

     

    “The traditional branches do have their place, they have something to support with but AccessX centre is 100 per cent digital support.”

     

    Providing details on other digital services that customers can benefit from the AccesX centre, Daniel Akumabor, the Chief Technology Officer – Channels, said: “There are a lot of concepts and services we can afford customers and that does not mean that this is an exclusive place where we do all that.

     

    “Customers coming in here can do a lot of things. They can resolve challenges, complaints, enquiries or requests across our digital channels.

     

    “When they say digital channels, that stands for when there is a card, USSD, internet banking, mobile app are paramount for cooperate customers.

     

    “And as a bank, we are very innovative, we have a lot of our own solutions to the internet market, and we have things like face field, swift pages and merchant enquiries solution for our customers.

     

    “As we roll out all those digital channels, we are able to them satisfied. This also gives opportunities for the customers to have full digital experience in channels we are all aware of and also it helps us get feedback to improve our channels and see the way the customers interact with our channels.”

     

    And when asked about how accessible it is for customers anywhere, Akumabor said: “Customers from any part of the world can reach excellent centres and get things resolved for them.

     

    “Here is the difference, we know that our customers like to do things digitally and if they go to any of our branches for complaints, there would always be some things that they will need to refer to service engineer at the bank’s office and tell the customers something like this would be resolved in the next few hours.

     

    “The reason they do that is they would refer the matter to somebody else who is going to work on it but when you walk in here that is not going to happen because the tech skits can do it on the spot.”

     

    To know more about AccessX please click HERE.

     

  • Stanbic IBTC Bank Identifies Opportunities for SMEs Growth in Nigeria

    Stanbic IBTC Bank Identifies Opportunities for SMEs Growth in Nigeria

    Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, recently hosted a webinar where it reiterated its zeal and commitment to assisting the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) ecosystem in Nigeria.

     

    The webinar themed “Scaling Your Business in Challenging Economic Times”, was well attended by enthusiastic entrepreneurs looking to overcome the economic challenges currently faced by their businesses.

     

    In his opening remarks, Wole Adeniyi, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, listed the COVID-19 pandemic, dearth of innovative solutions and lack of access to adequate business finance as some of the challenges that have plagued the SME sector in Nigeria in recent times.

     

     “As a business entity, Stanbic IBTC understands that running a business is not a bed of roses and that challenges differ from one business ecosystem to another. For this reason, Stanbic IBTC Bank is always in search of solutions to solve business challenges as they arise,” Adeniyi said.

     

    He also advocated for the diversification of the economy through policies that will be aimed at driving commercial growth in various sectors, as SMEs are vital to the vast business ecosystem of any economy.

     

     According to him, this would boost economic growth and lead to an improved standard of living for the citizenry. He further advised SMEs to monitor their expenditure and make the necessary adjustments closely.

     

    Speaking on how the pandemic affected SMEs and the outlook of the post-pandemic era, Ayodele Ojosipe, Head, Enterprise Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, explained that challenges faced by SMEs during the lockdowns still have profound effects on their businesses to date.

     

    He added that whilst these challenges have resulted in increased costs of doing business, the inability of most SMEs to pass these costs to their customers has led to margin compression and outright losses in most cases thereby threatening their business sustainability.

     

    Ojosipe stated further that despite the fluctuation and devaluation of the currency which has culminated in capital inadequacy for most SMEs in Nigeria, there are opportunities in the immediate business environment that small businesses can explore to turn the tide.

     

     He advised SMEs to take advantage of the Stanbic IBTC unsecured SME Loan which is available to both existing and new clients of the Bank within 24hrs to enable them to meet their financing needs.

     

    Ojosipe identified changes in business dynamics, client focus, optimising cash flows and business partnerships, talent retention, restructuring loans (if any), deferring costs and accessing cheaper funding as key focus areas for SMEs to guarantee business continuity.

     

    He further cited aspects of the recently promulgated Finance Act which would benefit small businesses.

     

    Some of the areas include the Company Income Tax Act, which stipulates those small businesses with less than N25m million turnover will no longer have to pay taxes and the CAMA act which states that small businesses with a turnover of less than N120m million need not turn in audited financials while filing their taxes, hence saving them costs in the appointment of auditors.

     

    Ife Durosimi-Etti, Founder, AGS Tribe, highlighted the need for small businesses to explore innovative ways of staying relevant through identifying what customers need.

     

    She harped on the advantages of collaborations with other business owners, avoiding unnecessary loans, seeking opportunities for grants, and the importance of joining accelerator programmes for exposure.

     

    The Bank urged SMEs to build well-positioned brands for opportunities and take advantage of services available within enterprise banking as they come with numerous benefits to boost their businesses.

     

    Stanbic IBTC Bank is committed to the continuous support and development of SMEs through targeted initiatives and products.

     

  • Unreasonable Hikes in Transport Fares Will Attract Sanctions -FG

    Unreasonable Hikes in Transport Fares Will Attract Sanctions -FG

     

    The Federal Government on Thursday said it would impose sanctions on transporters, particularly operators of land transport firms who increase their fares, especially during festive seasons.

     

    Minister of State for Transportation, Gbemisola Saraki, said unreasonable transports increase was causing untold hardship on travellers and affecting the Nigerian economy negatively.

     

    She spoke at a meeting that had transporters and officials of the Federal Ministry of Transportation in attendance, which was summoned by the House of Representatives.

     

    Saraki said the lawmakers summoned the meeting due to arbitrary increases in transport fares during festive periods, particularly for land transport.

     

     

    According to her, the lawmakers were further concerned that Nigerians were already viewing the situation as gross exhibition of greed and monumental corruption on the part of transporters who capitalise on rushing periods to exploit people.

     

    “This invariably puts a question mark on the country’s drive or fight against corruption,” Saraki, who was represented by the Director, Road Transport and Mass Transit Administration, FMT, Udu-Ejembi Mary, stated.

     

    She added, “The mandate of the Federal Ministry of Transportation is not only to manage rail, road, inland waterways, sea and air transport nationwide but also to regulate the operators.”

     

    This, according to the minister, was why stakeholders must put measures in place to monitor the activities of transporters across the country, especially during festive periods.

     

    “This is in order to curtail the obnoxious hikes in fares and also impose sanctions on erring operators to serve as a deterrent to others,” she stated.

     

    Transport operators at the meeting, however, argued that several factors often caused fare hikes, particularly during festive seasons.

     

    The Deputy National Secretary-General, Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria, Henry Ugwu, outlined some of the factors to include excessive taxation on roads, high cost of petrol, among others.

     

    He said, “From RTEAN, we’ve not directed our people to increase transport fares. Every festive period you have this rush, but it is not basically because of the rush.

     

    “It is, for instance, if you have a fleet of 50 vehicles; when you move passengers from the area of the rush to their destination, you will not see people to bring back. So that is one of the reasons.

     

    “Also, as transporters, we’ve been clamouring for the establishment of a transport bank where we can get low-interest rates and we urge the Federal Government to look into this; it will help the sector.”

     

    Ugwu added, “Another thing is that we are suffering from triple taxation on our highways. States, local governments and their agencies and even vigilantes collect money from us.”

     

    The RTEAN official argued that transporters were not exploiting passengers, stressing the sector was not properly regulated as any vehicle owner could pick passengers from any location without much interference from the authorities.

     

  • Airtel Reaffirms Commitment To Building Communities As ‘Touching Lives Season 6’ Kicks Off

    Airtel Reaffirms Commitment To Building Communities As ‘Touching Lives Season 6’ Kicks Off

    Leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering and uplifting vulnerable people, building communities and creating value for all its stakeholders as it announces the commencement of the sixth edition of its flagship CSR intervention, ‘Airtel Touching Lives 6’

     

    Speaking in Lagos on Wednesday, 14th July, during a media launch of ‘Airtel Touching Lives 6’, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, said a strong sense of purpose is driving Airtel Nigeria’s relentless focus on sustainable initiatives that can positively impact the various communities where it operates in.

     

    According to Ogunsanya, purpose is powerful as it does not just define an individual or an entity, but drives its every action and decision.

     

    “In 2001, Airtel procured its operating license in Nigeria and in 2021 it has renewed the same operating license for another 10-year-period. While it is possible to procure and renew an operating license, you can only earn a social license.

     

    “A social license is the love, loyalty, friendship and affection you get from the communities where you operate as well as from your different stakeholders. While Airtel has renewed its operating license to provide telecommunications services, it is committed to its purpose of empowering and uplifting people and making a positive and lasting impact in the lives of its stakeholders, thereby earning its social license.

     

    “To realize this vision, the Airtel Touching Lives initiative was created to offer relief and hope to the underprivileged and downtrodden and also inspire the strong and the wealthy to support the vulnerable and the poor.”

    Airtel
    L-R; Oluranti Owoborode, Senior Business Manager; Chioma Okolie, Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS); Emeka Oparah, Vice President, Corporate Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility; Erhumu Bayagbon, Head, Public Relations and Olusina Adegoke, Regional Operations Director, Lagos Region all of Airtel Nigeria at the Airtel Touching Lives Season 6 Media Launch in Lagos on Wednesday, July 14, 2021.

    The Airtel CEO also noted that Airtel Touching Lives 6 will continue to focus on the overall philosophy of the programme while taking cognizance of key events such as the global pandemic that has made life difficult for many people.

     

    “In the last 16 months, our lives have dramatically changed with Covid-19 and its many variants and waves. In our approach for Season 6, we will pay attention to Covid-19 but we will also focus on education and other areas and we will not deviate from seeking out indigent and medically challenged persons who desperately need help,” he said.

     

    Ogunsanya urged the public to be part of the initiative by nominating projects, persons and communities that require support.

     

    According to him, “the nomination process is simple. Once you nominate an individual or cause, our team will review and assess the situation and determine if a follow-up visit will be required. The public can nominate individuals or projects in their communities by dialling 367 or by sending an SMS to the Shortcode, 367. Also mail can be sent to touchinglives@ng.airtel.com ”. 

    L-R; Oluranti Owoborode, Senior Business Manager; Chioma Okolie, Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS); Emeka Oparah, Vice President, Corporate Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility; Erhumu Bayagbon, Head, Public Relations and Olusina Adegoke, Regional Operations Director, Lagos Region all of Airtel Nigeria at the Airtel Touching Lives Season 6 Media Launch in Lagos on Wednesday, July 14, 2021.

    Currently in its 6th Season, Airtel Touching Lives is Airtel Nigeria’s flagship corporate philanthropy initiative aimed at providing succor to the underprivileged, hard to reach, vulnerable and disadvantaged in the society.

     

    Airtel Touching Lives takes the format of a reality television show, allowing the public to nominate causes, communities and underprivileged persons/people with special needs. Airtel thereafter evaluates and selects the causes to support and the activities are filmed and broadcasted on terrestrial and satellite television stations with the aim of inspiring other corporate organizations as well as well-meaning individuals to join in supporting the weak across society.

     

    Airtel Touching Lives is about real people, real stories and the real effort of a corporate organization to uplift the needy and underprivileged, emancipating thousands from the shackles of poverty, despair and hopelessness.

     

    Through the programme, Airtel has refurbished an ICT centre for a large community, built modern water borehole systems for large communities, refurbished cancer centers, refurbished a Library for Blind people, rehabilitated an IDP Camp clinic facility, set up small scale trade for underprivileged persons, paid medical bills of underprivileged children and women and flown many persons abroad for treatment, among others.

     

  • GTB Appoints First Female MD, Becomes GTCO Plc

    GTB Appoints First Female MD, Becomes GTCO Plc

     

     By Adejuwon Osunnuyi

     

    Following the completion of its restructuring into a holding company, Guaranty Trust Bank has appointed Mrs Miriam Olusanya as the first female managing director of its banking arm, while Mr Segun Agabaje serves as group managing director of the Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc.

     

    In a statement by the financial institution, the holding company will be governed by a Board of Directors comprising, Mr. Sola Oyinlola as Chairman of the Board and Mr Segun Agbaje as the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Adebanji Adeniyi as Executive Director, Mrs Cathy Echeozo as Non-Executive Director, Mr. Suleiman Barau and Mrs. Helen Bouygues as Independent Non-Executive Directors.

     

    The Banking subsidiary, Guaranty Trust Bank Limited will be governed by a Board of Directors comprising, Mr Ibrahim Hassan as Chairman of the Board, Mrs Miriam Olusanya as Managing Director, Mr Jide Okuntola as Deputy Managing Director, Mr Haruna Musa as Executive Director, Mr Olabode Agusto as Independent Non-Executive Director, Ms Imoni Akpofure and Mrs Victoria Adefala as Independent Non-Executive Directors.

     

    Commenting on the completion of the Corporate Reorganization, Agbaje, said: “We believe that a Holding Company Structure will allow us take advantage of new business opportunities in the emerging competitive landscape and strengthen our earnings base. We are very excited to get started on the next phase of our incredible journey to driving Africa’s growth by making end-to-end financial services easily accessible to every African and African Businesses by leveraging Technology and Strategic Partnerships.

     

     

    “As a bank, we were always looking to meet every customer need; with our corporate reorganization, we will be able to do more to help our customers thrive in this new world of digital technologies and unprecedented possibilities. Whilst we are evolving as an organization, we remain committed to our founding values which have endeared our brand to millions of people across Africa and beyond, and which continues to drive our financial success.

     

    “As a proudly African and truly international band, we will continue to live by these values—of excellence, hard work and integrity, even as we create faster, cheaper, safer and more diverse products for people and businesses of varied types and sizes.”

     

    The financial institution, aiming to strengthen its long-term competitiveness and growth prospects, Guaranty Trust Bank plc had recently completed its re-organisation to a holding company structure.

     

    Under the terms of the re-organisation, a new operating company has been established and amendments made to the articles of incorporation for a corporate name change.

     

     The corporate name of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc and GTCO Plc will be used by the newly established operating company.

     

    The statement noted that the appointments have been approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria and disclosed to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nigerian Exchange Group.

     

    Prior to its corporate reorganization to Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc has been at the forefront of delivering innovative banking products and services to customers and best-in-class Return-on-Equity to shareholders.

     

     It is widely regarded as the best managed financial institution in Nigeria and has, over the past decade, embarked on a period of unparalleled growth, growing its customer base from less than three million customers in 2011 to over 24million customers in 2020, and profit before tax from N45.5 billion at the end of the 2010 financial year to N238.1billion at the end of the 2020 financial year.

     

  • Fidelity Bank Assures SMEs of Loan Availability

    Fidelity Bank Assures SMEs of Loan Availability

     

    Fidelity Bank has said it has loans available for Small and Medium Enterprises and aims to drive financial inclusion through agency banking.

     

    The Managing Director, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, said this during a media briefing on Tuesday in Lagos as she revealed the bank’s plans for the country’s economy.

     

    Onyeali-Ikpe said, “We intend to build a centre for SMEs free legal services in the event of going into any contract.

     

    “We have loans for everybody, and we would also drive financial inclusion through our agency banking. We have advanced in technology and are adding more products to our platform. We encourage our customers to key into our digital process.”

     

    She said despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, new areas of growth were opened up to discerning investors.

     

    She said Fidelity Bank would be focusing on doing business in the agriculture, healthcare, hospitals and diagnostic laboratory services, telecommunication, infrastructure and technology sectors, especially fintech.

     

    “We have seen growth in agriculture and we will continue to adequately explore the sector,” Onyeali-Ikpe said.

     

    She said her target was to drive the bank to Tier 1 status within the shortest possible time, adding that it was already targeting market share of 7.5 per cent with regard to deposit.

     

    According to her, the bank has a seven-point agenda, and intends to embark on an innovation drive through the implementation of new processes and techniques.

     

    She said, “The bank is also executing fresh ideas to ensure continuous process improvement, reduce cost to serve, increase competitiveness, improve brand recognition and value, build new partnerships and relationships, drive turnover, and increase profitability.

     

    “The bank’s digital transformation involves an end-to-end digitisation across all facets of the business. In line with this, the bank has launched a novel digital service — Pay Yourself — which revolutionises payday for salary earners and SMEs.”

     

  • International Travel Tickets To Rise As Travel Agencies Devalue Exchange Rate

    International Travel Tickets To Rise As Travel Agencies Devalue Exchange Rate

    International travel tickets in Nigeria are on track to rise following a directive to travel agencies to adjust exchange rates from N420.86 to N460, effectively an 8.5% devaluation.

    Nigeria’s official exchange rate at the Investors and Exporters window is currently N410.11/$1.

     

    In an email communication sent to travel agencies, they were advised that exchange rates will be “going from N420.86 to N460 per dollar on GDS” starting today, Tuesday, July 13th 2021. They were also advised to “issue all pending tickets” using the new rates.

     

    The GDS is an acronym for Global Distribution System and is the platform used by the travel industry for issuing tickets. Booking platforms such as Amadeus, Sabre, Galileo, etc, all running on GDS already have their exchange rate adjusted to N460/$1.

     

    The adjustment in the exchange rate is a reflection of the market value of the naira in the exchange rate market. Unlike other industries, the travel industry has a history of relying on the official exchange rate (not IFEX) as a basis for issuing tickets after converting from dollars to naira.

     

    International airlines who are the original issuers of the tickets repatriate their funds by converting their naira proceeds into dollars based on the exchange rate.

     

    They also hedge against current risks by purchasing hedging instruments sold by the central bank.

     

    This adjustment reflects the market dynamics of Nigeria’s exchange rate quagmire, as supply of dollars continues to struggle to meet demand.

     

    The latest move by the airlines to adjust the official exchange rate for selling tickets could be a precursor to a wider adjustment at the I&E window which is what the central bank currently cites as Nigeria’s exchange rate.

     

    What this means

    Nigerians looking to travel internationally but yet to purchase tickets will pay higher due to the adjustment.

     

    This means a $1,000 ticket that previously cost N420k will now cost N460k, a 9.3% rise.

     

    It is also likely that other ancillary charges outside of ticket cost may also increase in tandem. For example, travel agency fees, commissions, applicable taxes might all increase.

     

    While travel is a small subset of the consumer price index, this price increase is likely to impact the inflation rate.

     

  • FCMB Confirms Edun As New MD

    FCMB Confirms Edun As New MD

    The Board of Directors of FCMB Group Plc has announced the appointment of Yemisi Edun as the Managing Director of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited.

     

    This announcement is subsequent to the end of  service of the bank’s former Managing Director, Adam Nuru.

     

    The Board had earlier reviewed media allegations made  in late 2020 against the former MD and did not establish any contravention of its policies.

     

    The Board of Directors of FCMB thanks Mr Nuru for his years of dedicated service and wishes him all the best in his future endeavours.

     

    Prior to this appointment, the new Managing Director, Yemisi Edun was the Executive Director/ Chief Financial Officer of the bank and previously served as the acting Managing Director.

     

    With a work experience spanning nearly 35 years, Yemisi Edun holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife and a Master’s degree in International Accounting and Finance from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.

     

    She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and a Certified Financial Analyst, CFA®️ Charter holder.

     

     She is also an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers; an Associate Member of the Institute of Taxation of Nigeria; a Member of Information Systems Audit and Control, U.S.A; and a Certified Information Systems Auditor.

     

     

  • EXMAN Two-Day Brand Experience Summit Begins Tomorrow

    EXMAN Two-Day Brand Experience Summit Begins Tomorrow

     

    All arrangements have been concluded for the successful hosting of the much-anticipated Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria (EXMAN) Brand Experience Summit billed to hold this week, on the 14th and 15th July 2021.

     

    The two-day Brand Experience Summit will feature two plenaries and 40 sessions across five different parallel streams each day covering Brands/Campaigns/Ideas, Marketing Technology/Data, Agency/Insights/Measurement, Shopper/Trade Marketing and Academy.

     

     According to the organisers, the topics under each stream have been carefully curated to cover the wide gamut of business practice, consumer engagement, evidence-based marketing, creativity, and business growth.

     

    The hybrid event which will hold virtually and at Providence By Mantis in Ikeja, Lagos, boasts seasoned speakers across industries.

     

     The summit will have Tosin Runsewe, CEO at Afya Care/Non-Executive Chairman, Evercare Hospital Lekki; Biola Alabi, Founder, Biola Alabi Media; Cosmos Maduka, Chairman Coscharis Group and Stella Fubara, Director International Operations – Dubai Dept of Tourism Commerce & Marketing, as plenary speakers.

     

     Mr. Cosmas Maduka will kick off the first day by talking about how to grow business from small to big business while Stella Fubara-Obinwa will be speaking about building brand experience for destination brands.

     

    On day two, the plenaries will be taken by Biola Alabi who will be talking about building brands with cultural relevance while Tosin Runsewe will speak about preparing your business for the big stage.

     

    Among the powerful lineup of speakers also expected at the summit are Adenike Adebola, Marketing and Innovations Director, Guinness Nigeria; Amaechi Okobi, Group Head, Corporate Communications – Access Bank; Emmanuel Agu, Group Marketing Director, JOTNA Nigeria Limited, Dr Rotimi Olaniyan Founder, Experiential NG; Tolulope Medebem, CEO Aster Integrated Marketing Ltd.; Mr. Kehinde Salami, MD, Ideas House and Himanshu Verma CEO Ipsos Nigeria and West Africa.

    President of EXMAN, Mr. Tade Adekunle
    President of EXMAN, Mr. Tade Adekunle

    Others are Atunyota ‘Alibaba’ Akpobome, the famous ‘Alibaba’ Comedian; Oluwaseyi Adeoye, CEO Pierrine Consulting; Kayode Olagesin, CEO Towncriers; Steve Babaeko, President AAAN; Femi Adelusi, President MIPAN, GMD BrandEye; Dr Lekan Fadolapo, Registrar/CEO APCON; Ayona Trimnell Coordinator, W initiative, Access Bank; Tinuke Bosun-Okusaga, Management Consultant; Victor Gbenga Afolabi, Group CEO, GDM Group and Emeka Oparah, VP Corporate Communications and CSR, Airtel, among others.

     

    According to the President of EXMAN, Mr. Tade Adekunle, the Brand Experience Summit is set to provide a platform for robust discussions about business growth, innovation, and brand experience in Nigeria. These discussions will be the focus over the two days of the Summit.

     

    Mrs. Sola Antwi, the Communications Lead for the Brand Experience Summit explained that the summit will be delivered in a hybrid format. According to her, attendees can register for the summit by going to the EXMAN website, www.exman.com.ng.

     

  • Tier-One Ranking: Fidelity Bank Unveils 7-point Agenda

    Tier-One Ranking: Fidelity Bank Unveils 7-point Agenda

     

    Fidelity Bank Plc has launched a seven-point agenda aimed as part of plans to ensure the bank achieve its much desired Tier-One ranking in Nigeria by 2025.

     

    The bank’s Chief Executive Officer/ Managing Director, Mrs Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, unveiled the agenda during a media parley on Sunday in Lagos.

     

    According to Onyeali-Ikpe, the Fidelity Bank’s seven-point agenda include Innovation, Workforce Transformation, Digital Transformation, Brand Refresh, Service Excellence, Performance Discipline and Accelerated Growth.

     

    Onyeali-Ikpe, who assumed office on January 1, 2021 as Fidelity Bank’s first female chief executive officer, said the bank intends to embark on an innovation drive through implementation of new processes and techniques.

     

    “The bank is also executing fresh ideas to ensure continuous process improvement, reduce cost to serve, increase competitiveness, improve brand recognition and value, build new partnerships and relationships, drive turnover, and increase profitability,” she said.

     

    She said the bank would embark on brand refresh with the aim to increase top-of-mind awareness of the Fidelity brand by external and internal stakeholders.

     

    Onyeali-Ikpe added that the company would ensure workforce transformation to create a future readily supported by a high performing and empowered workforce.

     

    “This will be achieved by deepening the skills and competencies of staff across the bank, entrenching a culture of high performance, and embedding new ways of working in the bank.

     

    “Commencement of capacity building for staff and senior management training are some of the initiatives implemented,” she said.

     

    Onyeali-Ikpe said that service excellence intended to build brand loyalty through personalised and seamless customer experience delivery was underway with the virtual assistant IVY.

     

    “This revolutionary chatbot handles simple tasks such as account opening and complex tasks such as complaint resolution, bill payment, transferring users to a live agent, loans, fixed deposit applications and answering random questions,” she said.

     

    Onyeali-Ikpe said that other initiatives of the bank geared toward deepening growth include renewal of institutional banking and drive for transaction-based propositions in corporate banking.

     

    She said that with the agenda, Fidelity Bank was on its way to leading the banking sector while revolutionising Nigeria’s financial landscape.