Leading financial services provider, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), organized the first in a series of free training programs for small and medium business owners.  The initiative, led by FCMBs Training Academy and the Banks SME Segment Managers, was attended by existing and start-up firms in the SME sector as well as seasoned facilitators cutting across spheres of business development, accounting, marketing and strategy. The training, which focused on Business Finance Optimization for SMEs, covered various areas such as Budgeting, Cost Management in Challenging Times, Raising Capital for Businesses, Getting Businesses Ready for Loans or Investments, as well as Managing Credit Sales. Speaking at the opening of the programme, the Divisional Head, Corporate Services of FCMB, Felicia Obozuwa, stated that the Bank recognizes the role of entrepreneurs in the society and their capacity in driving economic growth. According to her, ‘’it is just one of the ways we support the growth of our SME customers. We realize that many small businesses can have the dedication to succeed, but without training and business experience, it can be a challenge to achieve results. Business acumen and day to day operational skills are essential for any small business owner to have when seeking out their next venture or sustaining their current business. In FCMB, we are passionate about helping our customers to be as educated as possible. Our comprehensive training programme for SMEs will establish a foundation for small business owners to develop themselves, learn new skills, better serve their customers, and stay relevant to their niche’’.

In addition, the Executive Director, Business Development of FCMB, Mrs. Bukola Smith, explained that the Bank realises that SMEs play critical roles in the growth of the nation’s economy. She added that, ‘’we understand that a number of factors combine to determine the success or failure of SMEs. We will continue to support our customers operating in this segment to overcome the challenges they usually face. We want to be part of their success story’’. Mrs. Smith listed some of the offerings of the Bank in the SMEs segment to include the e-invoicing platform – a unique solution, designed to help businesses monitor and control their cash management, especially as it affects payments, receivables, reconciliation and other financial transactions, through the internet and other mobile channels among others. In addition, the Bank offers free banking transactions for a period of three months for new-to-FCMB SME customers.  In line with FCMB’s drive to partner with value content from the Fintech space, the Bank is also collaborating with Paystack to provide an innovative online collections platform to merchants and other businesses focused on enabling them to provide their customers with a seamless payment experience. The Bank is steadily building bridges between SMEs and investors, national and international developmental agencies to facilitate and unlock opportunities for SMEs.

The participants at the capacity training expressed gratitude to FCMB for living up to its value as a simple, reliable and helpful Bank that creates opportunities. A beneficiary, who is also the Managing Director of Festival Designs Limited, Mr. Shola Paul, had this to say: ‘’This training is very essential and a great initiative on the part of FCMB. I appreciate the efforts of the Bank to ensure customers succeed in their various businesses by providing tools that facilitate growth’’. In the same vein, the Managing Director of Honey Adeniyi Products, Mrs. Yemisi Ladejobi, stated that, ‘’what FCMB has done by putting together this capacity building programme is very encouraging. I have learnt a lot from this programme and kudos to the Bank’’.

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) on September 20, 2017 delighted and empowered another set of 644 customers with cash and various exciting gifts at the third draws of the Bank’s ongoing bumper reward scheme tagged, ‘’FCMB Millionaire Promo Season 4’’. The electronic selection of the winners took place at the regional and zonal levels of the Bank across Nigeria and was witnessed by officials of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Consumer Protection Council, thousands of customers of the financial institution and other dignitaries.

While  four ​lucky customers were rewarded with the sum of N1million each at the regional draws held in Abuja, Lagos, Enugu and Ogun states, 640 others smile home with LED televisions, generating sets, decoders, tablets, smart phones and other consolation prizes. At the Abuja & North Regional draw held in Abuja, Pindar Fatsuma Saidu won the star prize of N1million, while Sanusi Amadu was rewarded with the same amount at the Lagos Regional draw which took place at the Agege branch of the Bank in Lagos. In the same vein,  Joy Ottonah Ben emerged winner of N1million at the South-East/South-South draw held at the Garden Avenue branch of the Bank in Enugu, Enugu State, just as   Ayodeji Ogedengbe smiled home with N1million at the South-West regional draw in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state.

The ‘’FCMB Millionaire Promo Season 4’’, which commenced in March 2017 and will end in November, has been designed to provide extra empowerment and create value for customers of the Bank, while encouraging financial inclusion and savings culture. It also forms part of the various initiatives of the financial institution to enhance customer experience and reward them for their loyalty and patronage over the years. The promo is targeted at all segments of the society and for existing as well as potential savings account customers. The eligible products or accounts for the promo include FCMB basic savings, kids account, Nairawise, e-savings and premium savings. The promo is targeted at all segments of the society, especially existing and potential savings account customers of the Bank. This however, excludes salary and domiciliary account holders.

Speaking on the latest draws of the promo, the Executive Director, Retail Banking of the Bank, Mr. Olu Akanmu, assured that, ‘’we will continue to appreciate and empower our customers to fulfil their aspirations. This is why we encourage them to save through programmes like our promo. The draws are unique because they take place in several cities and zones across our branches nationwide. The chances to win are therefore quite high for our customers, many of whom have been rewarded today. The fact that the lives of thousands of many of them have been positively changed through the promo speaks volume about its impact’’. He added that it is the desire of FCMB to ensure that more customers (both existing and potential) benefit from the promo.  ‘’We therefore encourage Nigerians to partake in this exercise’’, he added

On how to participate in the ‘’FCMB Millionaire Promo Season 4’’, Mr. Akanmu, explained that all an existing or a new customer of the Bank needs to do is to increase his or her balance by N10,000.00 in any of the eligible savings account and maintain it for 30 days to qualify for the Zonal and Regional electronic selection of winners where the star prize of N1million and other fantastic prizes will be won.  Multiple savings of N10,000.00 will increase the probability of winning. To qualify for the grand finale draws in November 2017, where four customers will win N2million each, existing and new customers are to increase their balances up to N50,000.00 and maintain it for 30 days. Multiple savings of N50,000.00 will also increase the chances of winning.

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.