Credit Direct Limited (CDL), a member of FCMB Group Plc and a market leader in the provision of unsecured consumer loans to individuals in Nigeria, has again raised the standards in customer experience and employees’ engagement by commissioning its state-of-the-art new head office at an impressive ceremony in Lagos on Friday, September 14, 2018. Credit Direct Limited, established over 10 years ago, is a non-bank financial services company with operation in 25 States across Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory– Abuja. The Company which has a staff strength of over 1,000 employees has given out over 1.5million loans worth over N150 billion since it began operations. With an active customer base of over 200,000 individuals in the public and private sectors, Credit Direct is poised to continue leading the Market with its innovative offerings and excellent customer experience, as attested to by its teeming customers, Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Chairman of Credit Direct Limited, Mr. Ladi Balogun, said, ‘’this edifice is another milestone in the history of Credit Direct. It is a reaffirmation of our commitment to raise the bar in the manner in which we operate and the kind of environment in which we provide services. We are excited that within 10 years of the establishment of Credit Direct, the company has added significant value to Nigerians and the country in general’’.

Mr. Balogun, who is also the Group Chief Executive of FCMB Group Plc, assured that FCMB Group will continue to invest in projects and initiatives that would develop entrepreneurship. Also speaking, the Managing Director of Credit Direct Limited, Mr. Akinwande Ademosu, said, ‘’our story changed the face of the financial services sector, the people we are servicing today are those not well served (underserved) and unserved by the conventional financial services sector. We believe so much in the future that has been created – from just giving out loans to giving our customers peace of mind’’.

He added that with its wide national reach, robust financial strength, top of the range proprietary technology and dedicated workforce, Credit Direct has translated its offerings into making real positive impacts on the lives of many Nigerians across different socio-economic strata in line with its vision to be the preferred financial services partner in Nigeria and beyond. As the Company embarks on this new phase of development, its growing variety of innovative products and services are focused on creating exceptional customer experience among its ever-evolving customer base. The pursuit of excellence and commitment to delivering best in class service, even while the firm is domiciled in Nigeria, her product offerings and standard of service delivery are seen to be at par and appealing to any discerning customer as well as investors, anywhere in the world.

The true mettle of Credit Direct Limited was tested during the economic recession of 2015 through 2016 when most companies of its kind suffered bitter losses and, in many cases, had to wind-up. Credit Direct proved its firm and resilient foundations and posted a profit year on year throughout that period. This remarkable achievement underscores the fact that the Company is driven by a team of highly qualified and technically sound Management with more than 75years collective managerial experience backed by a skilful workforce regarded as front-liners in the Financial Services space of today while still attracting the best talent across its operations. Credit Direct Limited has therefore put together the components for sustainable growth and profitability.  The formal inauguration of the new ultra-modern corporate headquarters is another indication of the Company’s resolve to remain the preferred partner in her market space while positioning the company for both local and international growth.

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited has urged Nigerians to sustain the country’s cultural heritage in order to boost tourism and its associated benefits. According to the Bank, this will go a long way to educate and inspire generations about the history of Nigeria, the people and values, while also fast-tracking the ongoing efforts of the government to diversify the economy. FCMB stated this at a press conference in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State on August 6, 2018 to flag-off activities to celebrate this year’s Ojude-Oba Festival, scheduled to hold on August 24, 2018. The Bank has over the years been a major sponsor of the Festival and has continued to play a significant role in ensuring its success. For this year’s Festival, FCMB has assured its stakeholders of an exciting and rewarding experience, including excellent products and services on offer, for the thousands of people within and outside the country that would grace the fiesta.

The Ojude Oba (which in Ijebu dialect means, the king’s fore-court or frontage) is a major festival in Nigeria that began over 100 years ago. It brings together all sons and daughters of Ijebuland in Nigeria and diaspora for a carnival-like celebration of the traditional, cultural, spiritual accomplishments and other values of the Ijebu nation. During the Festival, various age groups (popularly known as the Regberegbes), indigenes, their friends and associates from far and near – all in their colourful costumes and riding on horses – throng the palace of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland to pay homage to him amidst prayers and other fun-filled activities. In a goodwill message to the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Adetona on the occasion of this year’s Festival, the Founder of FCMB Group who is also the the Olori Omo-Oba Akile Ijebu, Otunba (Dr) Olasubomi Balogun, expressed his gratitude to the Awujale of Ijebuland, especially considering the paramount ruler’s selflessness in attending to the different requests and yearnings of the people of Ijebuland. In a message delivered on his behalf by the Group Head, Corporate Affairs of the Bank, Mr. Diran Olojo, Otunba Balogun commended Oba Adetona for his, ‘’distinguished and exemplary leadership over the years which has continued to endear you to all of us’’. He stated that, ‘’I sincerely appreciate the amazing grace of the same Almighty God we share together, much more for sparing our lives to celebrate yet another Ojude Oba Festival. The Festival provides us- all your children and subjects, the period when we gather to pay you homage and demonstrate our affection for a very unique monarch, an exceptional father figure and the Paramount Ruler who has continued to endear himself to his people. Apart from being the Olori Ebi (the head of the family, by the grace of Almighty God and interestingly not in contest by all who admire the grace of our God), as your Olori Omo-Oba (the head of princes and princesses), I will continue to lead the way in showing our appreciation by being very close to you and showing my total loyalty to you’’.

While congratulating the entire indigenes of Ijebuland, the FCMB Founder also prayed that the monarch’s reign would, ‘’continue to be filled with many more years of joy, good health and satisfaction in all that you endeavour to do for your people both at home and in the diaspora’’. In the same vein, the Group Chief Executive of FCMB Group Plc, Mr. Ladi Balogun, congratulated the monarch for upholding the values of Ijebuland and raising the status of the event over the years. He reiterated the commitment of the financial institution to the longevity of the Ojude Oba Festival. ‘’For all true sons and daughters of Ijebuland, the Ojude Oba Festival is more than an event for us. It has become a long-standing yearly tradition we look forward to as a unifying platform and a tourist attraction. For over a century, the Festival has become an internationally acclaimed event that has gone a long way to promote our cultural heritage and further unify humanity. As a socially responsible corporate citizen, we recognise that respect for our heritage is important as a catalyst of cultural diversity and a guarantee of sustainable development’’, he said. Mr. Balogun added that, ‘’the Ojude Oba Festival, for us at FCMB, is not just another event. It is a pride to us; being a major platform through which we connect with the community and promote our nation’s diversity through purposeful partnership. The annual display of rich cultural heritage via the Festival attracts tourists from across the globe and Ijebu indigenes in the diaspora, boosting trade and the hospitality sector in the region.  It is time to begin to see the Ojude Oba Festival as a fulcrum to inspire individuals, awaken their entrepreneurial spirit and encourage the birthing of other endeavours that stimulate development in a sustainable manner’’.

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) is a member of FCMB Group Plc, which is one of the leading financial services institutions in Nigeria with subsidiaries that are market leaders in their respective segments. Having successfully transformed to a retail and commercial banking-led group, FCMB expects to continue to distinguish itself by delivering exceptional services, while enhancing the growth and achievement of the personal and business aspirations of its customers.

The Managing Director of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Adam Nuru, has urged banks and other financial institutions in Nigeria to brace up to the challenges of international trade and commerce by collaborating more with other stakeholders in order to tap into the opportunities in the sector. This, according to him, will boost their performance and overall contribution to the development of the country.

He stated this while declaring open, the bi-monthly general meeting of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Nigerian Banking Commission held on July 10, 2018 in Lagos and hosted by FCMB. ICC is the world’s business organization, a representative body which authoritatively speaks on behalf of enterprises from all sectors in every part of the world. The body founded in Paris, France in 1919, groups hundreds of thousands of member organisations, including Banks and associations in over 120 countries. Business experts drawn from the ICC membership establish the business stance on broad issues of trade and investment policies as well as on a wide range of policy subjects of interest to organisations worldwide. Mr. Nuru, who was represented by the Executive Director of Finance at the Bank, Mrs. Yemisi Edun, pointed out at the meeting that maintaining a sound culture of compliance, due process and capacity building among experts on the trade desks of Banks, should be accorded priority.

‘’Due process, digitalization and capacity building would go a long way to break the myth of the perception that international trade is a sacred area of operation alone by Banks. Banks must also collaborate more with government and other stakeholders to explore better ways to maximise the new and emerging opportunities in the sector’’, Nuru stated. He added that, ‘’to ensure the business of international trade and commerce is conducted in a responsible and transparent manner, ICC Nigeria should continue to ensure we operate under full and complete compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and best practices’’.

FCMB Managing Director also commended ICC Nigeria for its commitment towards building a transparent, strong and viable banking industry and international trade platform, especially its efforts at reviewing the new order of trade that encourages adoption of emerging global best trade settlement practices. In his address at the meeting, the Chairman ICC Banking Commission in Nigeria, Dr Raymond Ihyembe, advised Banks to upscale their operations with regards to international trade and commerce so as to mainstream businesses in Nigeria into the global community and to promote the creation of wealth and prosperity through international trade and investment.

He further assured that the Commission will continue to, ‘’assist in the formulation of policies and guidelines for the Banking sector, to effectively key into and take advantage of opportunities. We operate in several areas such as arbitration, taxation, commercial law practice, among others, which are necessary for the success of the Banking sector’’.

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited is a member of FCMB Group Plc, which is one of the leading financial services institutions in Nigeria with subsidiaries that are market leaders in their respective segments. Having successfully transformed to a retail and commercial banking-led group, FCMB expects to continue to distinguish itself by delivering exceptional services, while enhancing the growth and achievement of the personal and business aspirations of its customers.