Standard Chartered announces Key Appointments in Africa
The Board and Management of Standard Chartered Bank are pleased to announce the appointment of Bola Adesola as Senior Vice-Chairman, Africa effective immediately following Statutory and Regulatory approvals. In this new capacity, Bola will be responsible for supporting the execution of the Bank’s strategic intent within the Africa region, including representing Standard Chartered Bank on various Boards in Africa. She will also lead as the Group’s Senior Banker on key relationships and transactions. Bola joined the Bank in March 2011 as the CEO OF Nigeria and subsequently became the CEO for Nigeria and West Africa in 2015. Prior to joining the bank, Bola was Executive Director, Corporate Banking in First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Nigeria’s biggest bank, and she also had oversight of the retail and commercial banking business in Lagos. Previously, she was CEO of Kakawa Discount House, Nigeria, a securities trading company where she drove record business performance. She also worked in Citibank for nine years in senior leadership roles in Nigeria and Tanzania.
Called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985, Bola has over 30 years of banking experience and expertise. Bola is an Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers Nigeria (CIBN), sits on the board of the Nigerian Interbank Settlement Systems Plc, and also chairs the Central Bank of Nigeria Bankers’ Sub-Committee on Economic Development, Sustainability and Gender. She was appointed to the Board of the United Nations Global Compact in 2015 and appointed as the Co Vice-Chair of the Board in 2018. In Standard Chartered, Bola is a member of the Global Diversity and Inclusion Council, and is actively involved with women’s networks across the bank. She also sits on the boards of Standard Chartered in Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire respectively.
Bola will be succeeded by Lamin Manjang as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nigeria and West Africa, subject to Statutory and Regulatory approvals. Lamin joined the Bank in 1999 and has over the past 19 years, built up extensive experience including Cluster CEO for Kenya and East Africa, and CEO in Oman, Uganda and Sierra Leone. Kariuki Ngari replaces Lamin as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kenya, subject to Statutory and Regulatory approvals. Kariuki brings 23 years of banking experience, having served more recently as Group Head, Service Quality in Group Retail Banking. Prior to this, he was Global Head, Retail Distribution, Head of Consumer Banking Kenya and East Africa, and Regional Head, Retail Banking, Africa. The appointment of Cluster CEO, East Africa will be announced in due course.
Sunil Kaushal, Regional CEO, Africa and Middle East, Standard Chartered Bank said: “In Africa and Middle East we have made investments in our people both in their career and personal development, and continue to support our People Strategy to build a high-performance culture through an integrated approach to talent and succession planning. These changes ensure a smooth and orderly succession which will allow us to continue our unrelenting focus on delivering our strategy and capturing opportunities across the region
More Customers Win Cash, other Prizes at FCMB’s Millionaire Promo Season 5 Draws
First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has rewarded another set of 644 lucky customers in its ongoing reward scheme, tagged ‘’FCMB Millionaire Promo Season 5”. The second set of winners emerged at the second draws of the promo held across Nigeria on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. This brings to a total 1,288 customers of the Bank who have so far won cash and other gifts since the promotions commenced in March this year. The FCMB Millionaire Promo Season 5, which runs till November this year, is an extension of the Bank’s previous promotions. It is designed to give extra value and reward to our customers, while encouraging financial inclusion and savings culture in the country. 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.
While four lucky customers won N1million each, a total of 640 other account holders smiled home with LED television sets, generating sets, decoders, tablets, smart phones and other consolation prizes, at the end of the electronic selection exercise. At the Lagos Regional draw held at Gbagada, a suburb in the State, Mercy Ailekhue was the lucky winner of N1million, while Hulera Zubairu won the same amount at the Abuja & North Regional draw which took place in Kano. The third N1million winner, Ukwuaba Aliu, came from the South-East/South-South Regional draw held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, just as Williams Rotimi was also rewarded with N1million at the South-west Regional draw in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state speaking on the promo draws, FCMB’s Executive Director, Retail Banking, Mr. Olu Akanmu, said, ‘’We are excited that more of our customers have continued to be rewarded and empowered through this exciting reward scheme. We are committed to impacting the lives of individuals and businesses by delivering valued-added products and quality service that translate to exceptional customer experience. Our existing and potential customers are encouraged to partake in the FCMB Millionaire Promo, because it is an avenue to turn dreams to reality’’.
On how to participate, Mr. Akanmu, explained that all an existing or a new customer of the Bank has 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 2018, where four customers will each win N2million, existing and new customers are to increase their balances up to N50,000.00 and maintain them for 30 days. Multiple savings of N50,000.00 will also increase the chances of winning. The third draws of the promo will hold in September and the grand finale is in November.
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.
FCMB Bank (UK) Limited Expands its Banking Proposition to Include Personal and Business Banking
London, United Kingdom – 26th June, 2018 Individuals and Business Enterprises who seek to transact their banking services between Nigeria or other African countries and who desire to maintain a banking relationship in the City of London now have the opportunity to do so. FCMB Bank (UK) Limited recently obtained a variation of its banking permission to include retail (investments) services. The permission was granted by the Prudential Regulation Authority and became effective on the 8th of June 2018. Based on this approval, FCMB Bank (UK) Limited is now able to extend the level of excellent banking services its Corporate and Institutional Customers currently receive to High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI) and Small and Medium Business Enterprises.
Mr James Benoit, Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, said,
“This approval and extension of services is a major achievement which will enable the Bank deliver its promise of being the Corporate and Private Bank for African-oriented entrepreneurs, investors and professionals across all their banking needs. The Bank will be expanding its premises and entering into partnerships with Fintech providers to open up service options to our clients and enhance their overall banking experience.”
Mr. BC Achary, Chief Risk Officer of the Bank advises,
“With the extension of its services, the Bank is able to receive deposits from both customer segments as well as provide them bank loans to enable them meet their financing needs. The deposit products on offer include current, notice savings and fixed deposit accounts at competive rates; while its lending products include Buy-to-Let Mortgage Loans enabling target customers to acquire a piece of London and purchase property to include in their investment portfolios.”
Mr. Ladi Balogun, CEO of FCMB Group Plc added,
“Our successful UK platform has proven to be of great importance to the Nigeria stockbroking and international trade finance activities of FCMB Group. Leveraging our deep networks in Africa’s biggest economy, the importance of a London presence to many of our Personal and Business banking customers, and technological innovation, we welcome this opportunity to meaningfully serve more of our customers and grow the value of our UK franchise.” The Bank has completed arrangements to formally launch its Personal and Business Banking proposition on the 19th July, 2018 in London and subsequently on 31st July, 2018 in Lagos.
Mrs Stella Okuzu, Head, Personal and Business Banking explained,
“As a customer-centric business, both events will enable the Bank to meet with prospective customers, share the Bank’s Personal and Business Banking proposition and obtain first-hand feedback on their banking needs and requirements”. Operating in the City of London, FCMB Bank (UK) Limited is a UK incorporated bank and a wholly-owned subsidiary of First City Monument Bank Ltd (FCMB), a member of the FCMB Group PLC (Nigeria). FCMB Bank (UK) Limited began its operations as a BIPRU €50k investment firm in September 2009 with its CSL Stockbrokers division providing the services of “receiving and transmitting” institutional client orders for Nigerian listed securities. Subsequent to the variation of its permission on the 27th September 2013, the bank commenced wholesale deposit taking activities, offering a wide range of products including foreign exchange, treasury, corporate banking and trade finance services to corporate and institutional customers. With the bank’s Retail permission approval, the bank’s customers now include individuals and business enterprises.
FCMB Launches Education Advisory Services for Overseas Studies
Leading financial services provider, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), has unveiled a scheme tagged, ‘’FCMB Education Advisory Service’’, that would ensure convenient and affordable education support for its customers who or their children desire to study abroad and obtain undergraduate and post-graduate degrees. The support includes overseas admission information services, school fees remittance, school living allowances and travel fares, loans to support school fees payments, visa process, travels and examination preparation. Access to customers and other aspiring candidates is said to be available on FCMB website with branches where operational desks are currently located, listed. It is part of the Bank’s contributions towards developing a new generation of brilliant minds that would take Nigeria to the next level. The scheme is in partnership with MOD Group, a foremost international education promotion and marketing company with operations deeply rooted in Nigeria and covering the West Africa sub-region. Under the initiative which was launched at a ceremony on May 30, 2018 in Lagos, FCMB is offering a full range of core financial services, tailored to meet the needs of its customers in the area of acquiring education abroad. This is in addition to a wide range of benefits that the Bank is providing for potential and existing students under the Education Advisory Service initiative.
Among these are, up to N5million school fees support to customers from the Bank and Credit Direct Limited, one of the subsidiaries of FCMB Group Plc (the holding company), Flexx account (in foreign exchange) for students going abroad to study, prompt and secure international funds transfer through internet banking platforms for the payment of school fees and other educational expenses abroad. There is also the issuance of FCMB debit cards, including the pocket money card (pre-loaded) that can be used to withdraw cash from overseas ATMs and make payments at stores and supermarkets. On the other hand, MOD Group will provide advisory services, such as, school admission processing, visa processing and examination preparation for beneficiaries of the FCMB Education Advisory Service. Speaking at the launch of the initiative, the Executive Director, Retail Banking of FCMB, Mr. Olu Akanmu, stated the commitment of the Bank to champion and execute initiatives that would promote education and knowledge acquisition among Nigerians. According to him, ‘’at FCMB, we walk and work with our customers to fulfil their life aspirations for themselves, their families and their businesses, including the provision of the best education. The FCMB Education Advisory Services in partnership with MOD Services and international partners also covers school admission process, Visa processing, travel and examination Preparation. We recognise that knowledge of what to do and how to do it matters in securing good overseas education. FCMB will also be providing prompt school fees and living allowances remittance, loans to support school fees payment and international cards to support living overseas for Nigerian students
Mr. Akanmu also added, ‘’we have Lufthansa Airline, beside other partner airlines on board to offer students, discounted fares under this scheme. This also covers their guardians accompanying them. In addition, we have AXA Mansard coming on board to provide medical cover for the students to the tune of $60,000 a year’’. Also speaking at the ceremony, the Managing Director of MOD Group, Mr. Michael Dosunmu, expressed gratitude to FCMB for the partnership. According to him, ‘’one of the major challenges faced by Nigerians who desire to study abroad is funding and the necessary information to achieve this. We believe that with our partnership with FCMB, through the platform of the Education Advisory Service, this challenge will be addressed. By providing a platform for Nigerians, especially young ones to study abroad, we will be helping to develop a new set of manpower equipped with the required international exposure, knowledge and skills to champion the development of the country. We therefore urge all those who have big dreams for their children and families to take advantage of this opportunity’’. The Permanent Secretary/Tutor General, Ministry of Education in Lagos State, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Onadipe, described the Educational Advisory Service scheme as a step in the right direction. She stated that, ‘’education is the bedrock of any society. For FCMB and MOD Group to come up with this package is an indication that they are committed to providing the necessary support to assist families and our young ones develop academically. I will appeal to FCMB to also accommodate wards from public schools, as they also desire the same foreign education’’.
On his part, Head of Communications, British Council, Mrs. Edemekong Uyoh, said, ‘’we consider the FCMB Education Advisory Service as an initiative that would give opportunities for young Nigerians and enhance capacity. The more educated we are, the more we can add value to our lives, economy and the society. At the British Council, we are particular about providing young people with pathways for the future. This is one of the initiatives that also align with our objectives and we are happy to associate with it’’. Also commenting on the scheme, a Representative of the High Commission of Ireland, Tessa Bagu harped on the importance of education. She stated that, ‘’education is the key to the future and development of a country. It is knowledge that drives development. Ireland is one of the leading economies in Europe today because of the high level of education of the people. We are optimistic that through the partnership between FCMB and MOD Group, Nigeria will grow further’’.
FCMB Assures of Enhanced Performance as Shareholders Approve Results at AGM
Lagos: April 27, 2018: FCMB Group Plc is on a stronger pedestal and will continue to provide superior performance that would add significant value to stakeholders in a sustainable manner in spite of the challenging macroeconomic and regulatory environments. The financial institution added that its subsidiaries are well positioned to deliver more cutting-edge solutions that would provide the best customer experience in their respective target markets.
The assurance was given at the 5th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of FCMB Group Plc, a holding company comprising eight entities, namely First City Monument Bank Limited, FCMB Capital Markets, CSL Stockbrokers Limited, CSL Trustees Limited, Legacy Pension Managers Limited, FCMB (UK) Limited, First City Asset Management Limited and Credit Direct Limited, held on Friday, April 27, 2018 in Lagos.
Going by its audited accounts for the year ended December 31, 2017, FCMB Group Plc recorded a gross revenue of N169.9 billion and a profit before tax (PBT) of N11.5billion, while profit after tax (PAT) was N9.4billion. In addition, deposits grew to N689.9billion as at the end of December 2017, an increase of 5%, from N657.6billion in the previous year. The Group’s capital adequacy ratio also improved to 16.9% from 16.7%, just as asset base increased to N1.19trillion, compared to N1.17trillion at the end of 2016. Non-interest income as at the end of 2017 was N32billion, while loans and advances stood at N649.8billion.
Presenting the Chairman’s report, Mr. Oladipupo Jadesimi said:
‘’We will continue to shore up the capital of the bank through profit retention in preparation for the growth opportunities that we expect as the economy recovers’’.
The new Chairman of the Board of FCMB Group Plc expressed gratitude to shareholders for their continuous support, adding that:
‘’Although we met with a number of challenges as a Group in 2017, I am pleased to say that we were able to surmount them, thanks to the commitment of all the personnel of our Group companies’’.
Also speaking at the AGM, the Group Chief Executive of FCMB Group Plc, Mr. Ladi Balogun, said:
‘’In spite of the reduction in headline numbers, Group performance is an improvement over the previous year after adjusting for the significant FX (foreign exchange) revaluation income enjoyed in 2016. The key drivers of the Group’s performance include increase in income from our non-banking activities, lower impairment charges from the bank and its subsidiaries, and improved operating efficiencies through more pervasive use of technology’’.
Mr. Balogun assured that FCMB Group Plc’s successful acquisition of majority (88.2%) stake in Legacy Pension Managers Limited will go a long way to help achieve further diversification of service offerings and consequent earnings within the FCMB Group. He said:
“ We see significant growth opportunities in the Pension management industry in Nigeria as it is yet to achieve maturity and will support and facilitate strategic organic and inorganic growth initiatives that will position Legacy in the top-tier of its industry over the next few years’’.
Concerning the performance of the flagship of the holding institution, First City Monument Bank Limited, the Commercial and Retail Banking member of FCMB Group Plc, the Group Chief Executive told the meeting it:
‘’showed signs of improvement with growth in income levels (after adjusting for exceptional FX revaluation income in 2016), reduction in impairment charges and substantial growth in our UK business and consumer finance business (CDL), after a difficult 2016. Commercial and Retail Banking remains our largest group, contributing 76.2% of profits and 98.5% of total assets’’.
He, in addition stated that the Investment Banking arm:
‘’Exhibited improved performance, from a loss position in 2016 of N84.0million after tax to a profit position of N430.3million after tax in 2017, largely driven by CSL Stockbrokers Limited. Our stockbroking business remains a top-3 player in its sector and participated as the sell-side broker on the largest ever trade on the Nigeria Stock Exchange in December 2017. CSLS Stockbrokers Limited and FCMB Capital Markets Limited jointly accounted for 4.1% of profits’’.
UN Secretary-General appoints Bola Adesola, CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria, as new UN Global Compact Board Vice-Chairs
(New York, 20 April 2018) – UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Bola Adesola to serve as a new Vice-Chair of the Board of the United Nations Global Compact. She will co-Vice Chair with Paul Polman
Bola Adesola succeeds the out-going Vice-Chair of the UN Global Compact Board, Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, former Chairman of Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies and of Anglo American plc.
Adesola and Polman previously served on the UN Global Compact Board, and bring significant expertise to the role from their wealth of experience in the private sector, the corporate sustainability space and specifically with the UN Global Compact itself.
Adesola is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Ltd , a role she has held since 2011. She has over 25 years of banking experience, having held various leadership positions in First Bank of Nigeria, Citibank and Kakawa Discount House. Adesola is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and Lagos Business School, and she also holds a Law degree from the University of Buckingham.
Adesola and Polman have been long-standing supporters of the UN Global Compact, and were both featured at UN Global Compact events held during the 72nd Regular Session of the UN General Assembly in 2017.
In her address to the United Nations Private Sector Forum on 18 September, Adesola said,
“I urge the companies present here to look at your businesses, map them to the SDGs, and then see how you can enhance those activities and play to your strengths, because, I think, it’s all about impact, and everything we do counts — whether it’s paper, whether it’s light — they all count.”
The UN Global Compact Board has a vital role to play in shaping the strategy and policy of the initiative, which acts as the United Nations flagship for responsible business action. Designed as a multi-stakeholder body, the Board provides ongoing strategic and policy advice for the initiative. Board members are considered champions who are willing and able to advance the mission of the UN Global Compact to mobilize a global movement of sustainable companies and stakeholders to create the world we want. They act in a personal, honorary and unpaid capacity.
Secretary-General António Guterres serves as Chair of the UN Global Compact Board, having assumed the role in conjunction with his appointment as Secretary-General in 2017 following the tenure of Ban Ki-moon. Going forward, he will work closely with Adesola and Polman, along with UN Global Compact CEO & Executive Director Lise Kingo, as they lead the UN Global Compact — the entry point for business within the broader United Nations system and the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world.
FCMB Capital Markets Limited, the investment banking subsidiary of FCMB Group Plc, has again demonstrated its advisory and capital raising capability by acting as financial adviser and Lead Issuing House on the successful fundraising and listing of LAPO Microfinance Bank Limited’s N3.15 billion bond on the FMDQ OTC platform. The bond, the first ever by a microfinance bank to raise money in Nigeria’s debt capital market, was priced at 17.75% and has a tenor of 5 years. The Issue was rated A- by Agusto& Co and BBB+ by GCR, which are investment grade ratings.
LAPO is a leading Microfinance Bank in Nigeria which commenced operations in 2010. Its banking activities are targeted at micro, small and medium enterprises, particularly women and micro enterprise owners who it provides loans to build their businesses. FCMB Capital Markets acted as the Lead Issuing House on the transaction. As a financial adviser, FCMB Capital Markets was responsible for, amongst others, developing a robust transaction structure that ensures flexibility for the issuer and comfort for the investors, and assisting to obtain regulatory approvals. FCMB Capital Markets is one of the few financial institutions in the country to consistently demonstrate the ability to structure transactions of this nature, having successfully executed similar complex deals previously.
LAPO Microfinance Bank stated that the proceeds will be used to deepen its business in the country, strengthen its capital base, expand its branchless banking solutions and enter new market segments, including the launch of its agency banking model and the deployment of e-business solutions, among others. Speaking during the bond listing ceremony on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 in Lagos, the Executive Director of FCMB Capital Markets Limited, Mr. Tolu Osinibi, said, ‘’we are excited and grateful at having been given the opportunity by LAPO Microfinance Bank to have played a leading role on this landmark transaction, where FCMB Capital Markets acted as financial adviser and the Lead Issuing House on the first ever bond issuance by a microfinance Institution in Nigeria’s capital markets. The success of this transaction speaks to the institutional strength of LAPO and an affirmation of this strength by institutional investors that have trusted LAPO with the funds they manage. Following from the success of its capital markets debut, we at FCMB Capital Markets expect to see LAPO become a repeat issuer, and we also anticipate that this landmark transaction will open up the capital markets to other microfinance institutions that meet the criteria”.
Also speaking, the CEO of LAPO Microfinance Bank, Dr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe, said, ‘’the gap between the demand by micro, small and medium businesses and the little supply is still huge. LAPO Microfinance Bank was only able to deliver loans valued at N135.7 billion in 2017. The capital market remains one of the most viable and affordable options for medium and long term financing for on-lending. We have therefore made a very sound decision. With excellent corporate governance, experienced management, committed staff and extensive footprints across Nigeria, LAPO Microfinance Bank is poised to deliver its core mandate of enhancing financial inclusion. We will continue to enable the under-banked and economically active poor to become active participants in the national economy.’’ FCMB Capital Markets Limited has been involved in several landmark transactions in Nigeria over the past three decades. The firm provides comprehensive advisory services, combining innovative advice and proven execution skills to domestic and multinational clients. Its services include but are not limited to financial advisory, debt and equity capital raising including initial public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, project and structured finance. It has acted as an adviser and arranger of choice to Nigeria’s leading companies and public institutions.
Also, the decision to list the bond on FMDQ is based on the fact that, as a debt-focused securities exchange, FMDQ has shown strong commitment to facilitate growth and development in the financial market through its platform for the registration, listing, quotation and valuation of bonds. The leadership of the exchange continues to run an efficient, transparent and well-regulated market, which attracts and retains both domestic and foreign investors.
FCMB Commits to Growth of Media Industry, as Expert Projects Positive Outlook for Nigerian Economy
Nigerian media industry by empowering its practitioners with the requisite tools and knowledge that promotes the values of professionalism and ethics in the discharge of their duties. This, according to the Bank, is as a result of the critical role the media plays in national development. FCMB gave the assurance at an interactive and capacity building forum it organized for media executives and correspondents based in Abuja and the Northern Region on February 9, 2018. The forum had a foremost financial and media expert who is also the Chief Executive Officer of RTC Advisory Services Limited and lecturer at the Lagos Business School, Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje, as guest speaker.
In his address at the event, the Group Head, Corporate Affairs of FCMB, Mr. Diran Olojo, explained that it is part of the Bank’s initiatives to further promote excellence, build capacity of media practitioners, spur ideas, deepen relationships and appreciate their contributions over the years to the success of the Bank since its establishment 34 years ago. According to him, ‘’at FCMB we recognize the strategic importance and role of the media not just in promoting our business, but in the areas of agenda setting, providing solutions and dissemination of quality and balanced communication that drives national unity and development in a sustainable manner. As an institution anchored on the culture of excellence and professionalism, we will continue to champion and execute initiatives that would assist the Nigerian media industry and journalists perform optimally as the fourth estate of the realm and key influencers. We therefore urge our media practitioners to reinvent themselves and expand the frontiers of their knowledge by adopting innovative skills that would help them meet the dynamics of the profession while upholding due diligence and ethics that conform with global best practices’’.
Mr. Olojo told the gathering that as an inclusive lender, FCMB will continue to offer and deliver cutting edge solutions that provide the best customer experience. He added that the Bank is resilient and focused on sustaining the momentum of its position as a top financial institution by supporting initiatives that would enhance the growth and achievement of the personal and business aspirations of its customers as well as the overall prosperity of Nigeria. In his paper titled, ‘’The Nigerian Economy and Financial Sector in 2018’’, the guest speaker at the media parley, Mr. Agbaje, observed that having overcome the recession in some critical areas, things were looking up for the nation’s economy going by the positive signals shown by several macroeconomic indicators, such as stable exchange rates, growing foreign reserves and inflation. The former Senior Banker however noted that, “there are a couple of areas of the economy – the non-oil economic sectors that require more passionate attention. They include the manufacturing, employment and the domestic food sectors. In addition, there are also a few fuel subsidy concerns. A lot of cleaning up is going on in the financial sector while portfolios and profitability are improving. From a number of indications, the economy should record incremental improvements in 2018, over 2017. However, the recovery is mainly powered by the oil sector. It is also imperative for our economic system to be skewed towards an investment-led growth strategy to facilitate sustainable development across all sectors’’.
Mr. Agbaje, a one-time Chairman of Convention on Business Integrity, also urged the media to brace up to the challenges of the profession by playing more active roles in not just reporting activities, but serving as a compass to society. He added that it is the responsibility of media practitioners to ensure diligence, ethics, fairness and professionalism in the discharge of their duties in order to promote peace, understanding and progress. Over the years, FCMB has organised series of initiatives to empower and build the capacity of the media industry. For instance, the Bank in 2016 hosted financial journalists to a parley under the theme ‘’Raising the Bar’’, which had the Chief Executive of Corporate Shepherds Limited, Mr. Idorenyen Enang, as guest speaker. In 2015, it organised a similar capacity building programme for journalists in the new media. Among the guest speakers was an international journalist, Mr. Inigo Gilimore, who spoke on the topic, ‘’Stimulating Responsible New Media Journalism: A Pathway to International Recognition’’.
In addition, FCMB in 2014 brought together media executives to a training programme on, “Sustainable Banking in Nigeria: The Role of the Media”. The session had theManaging Director of UK-based Sustainable Finance Advisory Limited, Carey Bohjanen, as guest speaker. 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.
FCMB Excites Nigerians with Banking on Love Campaign
First City Monument Bank (FCMB) is set to motivate about 100 customers among its youth segment with cash rewards, other exciting prizes and engagements to commemorate this year’s Valentine’s celebration. In its annual campaign tagged, “Banking on Love”, the lender said many young and even some older people view the February 14th Valentine Day celebration as solely defined by the day’s activities with their chosen partners and loved ones.
Today, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited thinks differently. The Bank, speaking through its Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Diran Olojo, enjoined the youth to see love as a virtue that is all encompassing. FCMB said love is more about care, giving, commitment, passion, trust and responsibility for the comfort, protection, security and happiness of the next person with an open mind and genuiness of purpose. He stated that the position further goes to define some of the activities engaged in by the Bank which pays close attention to many segments of the Nigerian society. According to Mr. Olojo, “at FCMB, it is not all about business at all times. There is a strong propelling philosophy which also drives us to be concerned about the best way to positively affect our immediate environment. How best to reach and impact the less-privileged. We always think about the best strategies to adopt to help the needy people in our society. We care about the orphans, the widows, the aged people, our youths and the internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have been affected by insurgency, man-made and other natural disasters. We believe one of the positive outcomes of sound corporate governance, is impacting positively on lives and communities in Nigeria. Indeed, as businesses act responsively and boost their performance indices, they should also devote a part of their income to giving back to the society by engaging in various life-changing activities. At FCMB, we have been guided’’. This year’s Banking on Love campaign will include cash awards and some giveaways to many youth customers during and after Valentine celebration, a global event that climaxes on February 14th. N10,000 each is being given to 25 young people every week, throughout February, the month of Love. To be eligible to win, customers are required to carry out transactions with their cards that add-up to at least N5,000 in a week. Winners will be announced weekly.
The Flexx account is FCMB’s youth-centric banking product targeted at young people who are actively seeking platforms that allow them express their uniqueness, while building skills for financial success. This is summarized in the description of Flexx as, “An app, a card, an account”, which gives account holders the freedom to bank on the go, using the Flexx Mobile App. FCMB’s Executive Director, Retail Banking, Mr. Olu Akanmu while responding to an inquiry said, “Flexx is more than an account. It is a lifestyle platform that offers the customer experience centred around Fun, Future and Banking. FCMB serves this platform through digital channels that fit into the lifestyle of the Flexx target market which include the Mobile App, a Microsite and an Online Account Opening platform, all of which enable a potential Flexx customer open an account with FCMB without having to visit a branch″.
In a bid to define love beyond the euphoria of the moment, FCMB said the Bank is aware of the challenges faced by people and the society. It was for this reason that it consciously chose to bring hope and smiles to the people and communities. The Bank extended its hand of benevolence to internally displaced women in Maiduguri, Bornu State by providing training and financial support to 100 of them to start any small-scale businesses of their choice. The financial institution also organised skill acquisition and other capacity building programmes for the beneficiaries. FCMB’s intervention in economic empowerment is seen in its partnership with Wecyclers, an award winning company involved in recycling, on a waste-to-wealth franchise scheme. Through this collaboration, the Bank is helping to tackle the challenge of waste management by deploying an innovative recycling project aimed at job and wealth creation, while promoting health and sanitation. To further deepen the project, FCMB has put in place a monthly reward scheme for top recyclers. The first batch of winners emerged in May, 2017 and have been presented with their prizes. FCMB’s economic empowerment CSR activities have also impacted on youths. The Bank has instituted a capacity building programme for youths, tagged “Empowered for the Future”. The initiative focuses on peer-to-peer economic empowerment, sexual and reproductive health promotion for in- and out-of-school adolescents. It commenced with 50 youths who were trained on various aspects of human development. The beneficiaries are expected to reach out to 750 peers over a one-year period, with focus on financial literacy, skill acquisition, sexual and reproductive health, while undergoing vocational training, job shadowing and knowledge building programmes. Another of FCMB’s expression of real love is its Priceless Gift of Sight programme. The Bank has been sponsoring this project since 2009 in partnership with the Tulsi Chanrai Foundation (TCF), a Nigerian-Indian Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO). The programme involves eye screening tests, full ophthalmic medical examination, eye surgeries, provision of free medication, eye glasses and counselling for those suffering from cataract, an eye defect that could lead to blindness if not promptly treated. Over 100,000 people across Nigeria have so far benefited from it since the Bank took up the sponsorship 9 years ago. In 2017, FCMB also sponsored 500 eye surgeries in Kebbi, Cross Rivers and Imo states, while more than a thousand people underwent the screening for cataract during the programme. The 2018 programme nationwide is currently being planned. The Bank has previously carried out the programme in Katsina, Adamawa and Ogun states. To FCMB, this is love in action and not just words.
FCMB Group Plc Wins Big at BusinessDay Banking Awards
The number of awards in the kitty of FCMB Group Plc has received another boost. This is because, two of its subsidiaries, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and First City Asset Management Limited (FCAM), have emerged as the, ‘’Most Improved Retail Bank in Nigeria’’ and ‘’Best Managed Fund in Equity’’, respectively, at this year’s BusinessDay Banking Awards held on October 14, 2017 in Lagos. In 2015, FCMB won the “Most Customer Friendly Bank” award at the BusinessDay Banking Awards. The latest development is a confirmation of the giant strides being recorded by FCMB Group and its subsidiaries in the Nigerian financial services industry. It is also a testimony that the various initiatives being driven by the subsidiaries in the areas of service, products offering, operations and value addition to enhance customer experience are yielding the desired results and appreciated. While First City Monument Bank (FCMB) is the retail, commercial and corporate banking arm of the Group, First City Asset Management Limited (FCAM) is the investment management services arm of CSL Stockbrokers Limited, another subsidiary of the Group.
The BusinessDay Banking Awards, organized annually by BusinessDay (Nigeria’s premier financial newspaper), identify, acknowledge and commend those who have contributed tremendously to the nation’s banking sector and the growth of the nation’s economy in each financial year. The Awards Committee employed qualitative and quantitative criteria in the process of identifying and selecting winners. The parameters used for the conferment of the awards on FCMB and FCAM include loan growth, loan/deposit ratio, capacity adequacy ratio, analysis of distribution of loans across sectors, return on average assets, performances across business segments, timely release of financial results and presence of investor/analyst’s presentation on corporate website. According to the organizers, FCMB was adjudged as the, ‘’Most Improved Retail Bank in Nigeria’’ as a result of its remarkable transformation from an investment bank to become a leader in the retail banking segment in less than 10 years. For instance, the Bank has increased the number of its branches nationwide to over 200, while its alternate channels provide prompt, secure and convenient banking services, among other benefits to millions of customers on the conferment of the award as ‘’Best Managed Fund in Equity’’ on FCAM, the committee said that the company’s flagship product, Legacy Equity Fund, had witnessed consistent growth in unit price and net asset value to become the best performing, predominantly equity-based mutual fund in Nigeria.
Speaking on the award, the Executive Director, Retail Banking of FCMB, Mr. Olu Akanmu, said, “we are proud to have come tops as the Most Improved Retail Bank in Nigeria at the 2017 edition of BusinessDay Banking Awards. This goes a long way to confirm our unequaled commitment in offering exceptional quality service to our teeming customers and the Nigerian public. Our retail banking capability enables us to offer excellent and value-added services to millions of Nigerians directly and indirectly, whilst also supporting their personal and business aspirations. We dedicate this award to our customers who have made FCMB what it is today’’.
Mr. Akanmu assured that, ‘’we will continue to expand our reach and upscale the simple, helpful and reliable banking services we are known for at all our touch points, which are driven by excellent technology and inclusive lending practices’’. On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of FCAM, Mr. James Ilori, said that, ‘’we dedicate this award to investors in Legacy Equity Fund, and thank them for believing in our ability to generate superior return for unit holders, safely. Legacy Equity Fund is a well-diversified portfolio of high quality stocks, with relatively lower volatility. The Fund seeks to achieve capital growth and generate stable income over the long-term, and is a good hedge against inflation’’.
He added that, “at FCAM, our team of skilful and internationally experienced investment professionals understand that products should always be matched with the investment objectives of investors. Our products, including Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund, are designed with the investor in mind. We will continue to act in the best interest of our clients’’. FCMB has transformed itself over the last 10 years from Nigeria’s leading investment bank to a leading retail bank with a valuable franchise in this space. It has raised the bar in products and service offerings which resonates with the needs and lifestyles of the various socio-economic and demographic segments in Nigeria. The Bank acquires an average of 55,000 new customers and disburses 20,000 new loans monthly.
First City Asset Management Limited (FCAM), as an investment management company, provides services that cut-across collective investment schemes such as mutual funds and investment plans, which are predominantly for retail investors, as well as specialised discretionary portfolio management, for high networth individuals and institutional investors, within and outside Nigeria. FCAM has consistently focused on delivering superior wealth and investment management services, aimed at meeting investors’ desire for safety of investment and good return.
- 1
- 2