Banking
GTBank Drives Mobile Banking With *737* Code
By Dipo Olowookere
There have been many testimonies from holders of accounts in Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTBank) that the *737* mobile banking code has taken financial transactions to another level.
The initiative by GTBank has been applauded by many because they say it has exceeded customers’ expectation.
The *737* is a mobile channel, which enables the bank’s customers to conveniently perform third party transfers to both GTBank and other bank account holders in Nigeria via mobile phones.
This is done by dialling the right code with details of the amount and account number of the beneficiary, writes
Mobile payment is where the world is heading. Financial institutions with foresight on the future are redefining their commitment to electronic payment, churning out products and services to serve customers better.
GTBank, it is the right way to serve the customers better. The lender unveiled the Bank *737* platform to help deepen its mobile banking, to strengthen its leadership potentials in the mobile banking space.
Also for GTBank, Bank *737* is just a creativity that emerged out of the box. It is an expression of outstanding intuition, which only very few brilliant innovators can attempt. It is also one of the benefits of the cash-less banking, which was one of the biggest news that hit the sector in January 2012.
The objective, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said, was to change the cash-driven economy and reduce the rising cost of banking operations. The policy is also designed to promote financial intermediation, financial inclusion, minimise revenue leakages, eliminate robbery and encourage e-payment.
The coming of cashless financial system has indeed, given great opportunities to institutions that possess the innovative instincts to break the bricks. Ordinarily, one would not imagine that financial transactions could be done without one inching close to any banking hall.
GTBank’s Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr Segun Agbaje, has consistently told the bank’s customers that Bank *737* is an innovation whose time has come. He was not joking when he told his customers that people might not have any need to go into the banking halls for anything, anymore because they can stay in the comfort of their homes and carry out banking transactions.
To the bank chief, when the electricity challenges are finally settled, more would come in the way of innovation and that is the time a full classification of the efficiency of the core financial institutions would be known.
The current bubble that greeted the fortunes of the bank could not be unrelated to the level of innovation that has trailed the bank’s creativity over the years, like ‘licensing’ a new bank, which runs on phones.
That was why Mr Agbaje could stand up anywhere and tell a motley crowd of GTBank stakeholders that their bank would make a whopping N125 billion profit after tax, some N30 billion higher than its current record, in its 2016 financial activities without fuss.
The bank, which prides itself as not really affected by the backlash of the Treasury Single Account policy (TSA), is greatly optimistic that it has not been a public sector bank and would continue to innovate to find a flourishing middle ground for its more than seven million customers in the country.
He described the 2015 financial year as really a very bad year, “a very difficult year, Credit Rediscount Rate(CRR) went up to 34 per cent, Commission on Turnover (COT) was totally down and forex got so bad. “We are creating a bank where you do not come into the bank to do anything. We are leveraging technology to take people out of the banking hall.
“You are going to do most of your banking activities today without coming to the banking hall. We cannot achieve inclusive banking by building more branches, but by providing more enabling platforms to get people do more, and that is where banking is going,” Mr Agbaje said.
While pouring encomium on his staff, the CEO explained that his bank is not excited about any form of merger and acquisition as his bank has planned to grow organically.
He saw a lot that could be done to attain the desired height even as he would want the bank to do any good business that could add good value to the economy.
He also saw agriculture as a sector that needed a lot of push, but was quick to indicate that agriculture loan books did not grow fast even as the medieval industry remained key to the growth of the economy. There is no doubt that Mr Agbaje is an apostle of gradual and careful growth.
With his bank’s current financial report, Mr Agbaje looks good to keep the best result among all the banks for the 2015 year, considering the fact that banks whose business prospects look as good as that of GTBank may have reported far less performance for the period. This explains the progressive plan of the bank to remain on top as the most profitable bank within the period in review.
With a gross income rolling over N300 billion, there are clear indications that the careful spending pattern the bank has adopted will further offer it some more profit advantage. This may even grow in double digits as its new IT platform will usher a new cost-cutting mechanism, as less emphasis on new branches can really add up as new gains.
Mr Agbaje feels that the internet and telephone banking platforms are becoming very successful. A good size of the youth, according to him, is in it and they are enjoying the blitz.
By Margaret Banasko
“Detty December,” Nigeria’s unofficial end-of-year spectacle, is an annual economic boom of concerts and parties, amplified by the return of the “IJGB“ (I Just Got Back) crowd. This celebration drives massive discretionary spending and consumer euphoria.
However, this festive high often leads to a financial low; the “Long January.” This is when critical non-negotiable expenses like rent and school fees hit hard.
Do not treat December as a financial free-for-all. Savvy individuals and business leaders must reframe it as the final, crucial financial quarter. The goal is to shift from emotional spending to deliberate, strategic saving.
Here are five smart, actionable financial moves that are critical for maintaining fiscal discipline that will enable you to maximize the festive season’s enjoyment while effortlessly de-risking and prepping your finances for a strong Q1 trajectory.
- Capitalize on Discounted Bill Payments: The increased consumption of utilities, airtime, and data during this period necessitates higher essential recurring costs. Smart financial governance dictates actively seeking value on these high-frequency expenditures. Pay all essential bills from electricity tokens to data bundles and Cable TV subscriptions through a platform, such as the FairMoney app, that provides a direct financial incentive or cashback on purchases. This ensures that operational necessity does not unduly drain capital, as every percentage saved on recurring utilities is capital effectively preserved for critical Q1 requirements.
- Implement the 50/30/20 Rule Strategically: Acknowledge the inevitable social expenditure of Detty December by imposing a clear framework for resource allocation. This strategic rule dictates how your income must be distributed to ensure financial security. Divide your December income into three non-negotiable categories: Allocate 50 percent of your income directly to critical January financial requirements like rent, transportation, and structured debt payments; this sum must not be compromised. Allocate 30 percent to your discretionary December wants, covering social activities, gifts, and controlled splurges; once this budget threshold is met, spending must cease. Crucially, assign the remaining 20 percent to structured savings and investment.
This 20 percent is non-negotiable and serves as the anchor for long-term wealth creation and a buffer against the Long January strain. You can automate this crucial 20 percent deduction before you even begin spending using the FairSave feature on the FairMoney App, which enables instant autosave while you earn daily interest and retain the flexibility to withdraw anytime.
- Convert Festive Windfalls into Capital: Do not view every incoming festive cash gift or unexpected bonus as mere spending money. Instead, strategically treat any financial “windfall” as a direct deposit into your future wealth accumulation. The 100 Percent Rule applies here: commit to saving or investing 100 percent of any financial gift, as this capital was not part of your planned income, offering a critical opportunity to grow your savings effortlessly. Immediately isolate any unexpected cash injections and categorize them as investment capital rather than disposable income.
By leveraging FairLock on the FairMoney App, you can save 100 percent of the festive cash into a fixed deposit. This ensures the funds are secure and illiquid, accruing interest over the stipulated savings period, which can then be released on maturity to sort out major Q1 projects or investments.
- De-Risk Your December Savings Strategy: FairMoney’s premium, revolving credit line up to ₦5,000,000, FlexiCredit, serves as a crucial liquidity shield over your protected capital. Instead of being forced to prematurely break fixed deposits or liquidate interest-earning savings accounts to cover sudden, urgent expenses such as an unexpected repair or a short-notice business need, you can immediately draw the required funds from your FlexiCredit limit.
This allows critical, ring-fenced funds to remain untouched, continue accruing interest, and maintain their full readiness for the inevitable “Long January” obligations like rent and school fees. FlexiCredit empowers the savvy individual who earns a minimum of ₦250,000 as salary to strategically manage cash flow and capture short-term high-return opportunities without depleting their primary savings or operational capital, offering immediate bridge financing, charged at a competitive 0.25 percent per day only on the amount utilized.
- Prioritize High-Value, Low-Cost Experiential Activities: While Detty December’s allure often stems from high-ticket social events and luxury venues, truly impactful celebrations are measured by the quality of connection, not the cost of admission. Instead of defaulting to expensive restaurant dinners, exclusive concerts, or impulse travel, strategically redirect your social budget toward creative, high-value experiential activities.
Organize themed potlucks with friends, host a family Christmas hangout at home, or explore local attractions like parks and museums that offer rich experiences without the premium price tag. By substituting generic, high-cost outings with thoughtful, collective events, you significantly slash discretionary spending while often increasing the depth and enjoyment of the festive season, guaranteeing maximum emotional return on minimum financial investment.
By applying these five smart moves, you assert control over your finances, ensuring you do not just survive Detty December and the Long January, but wrap up the year not just in celebration, but in financial style, positioning yourself for an empowered and prosperous New Year.
Margaret Banasko is the Head of Marketing at FairMoney MFB
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The creative industry in Nigeria may have nothing to worry about with the likes of Stanbic IBTC Bank around the corner.
The financial institution, which has not hidden its love for the sector, has promised to continue with its strategic investment in the country’s designers and artists.
Speaking at an event, An Evening of Fashion, Art & Lifestyle, the Executive Director for Personal and Private Banking at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr Olu Delano, represented by the Head of its Private Banking Segment, Ms Layo Ilori-Olaogun, said the company was proud to be associated with the programme, which it also sponsored.
“At Stanbic IBTC, we recognise Nigeria’s creative sector as a vital driver of economic diversification, employment, and global cultural influence.
“We are proud to support the individuals behind these platforms that elevate African excellence and provide visionary talents the visibility that they deserve.
“Nights like this reaffirm our commitment to continued strategic investment in our artists and designers,” he stated.
The invitation-only ceremony, which was held at The Garden, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, hosted by Africa’s leading luxury fashion house, 2207bytbally, in collaboration with the acclaimed art collective Torrista, brought together high-net-worth individuals, art collectors, designers, media personalities, and luxury brand executives for an unparalleled showcase of creativity and sophistication.
The evening opened with a breathtaking runway presentation featuring three signature segments from the Evolve collection by 2207bytbally: Denim, Ethnic, and 2207 Prints. Each piece exemplified the meticulous craftsmanship, bold innovation, and cultural storytelling that has established the brand as a standard-bearer in African luxury fashion.
Complementing the couture was a curated exhibition by Torrista, transforming the venue into an immersive gallery. Commissioned artworks exploring themes of culture, femininity, and evolution created a robust visual dialogue with the collections, demonstrating the seamless harmony that can result when fashion and fine art converge.
“This evening was about more than clothes or canvases; it was about showing the world that African creativity is limitless. When fashion and art share the same space, magic happens, and tonight, Lagos felt that magic,” the Creative Director of 2207bytbally, Tolu Bally, stated.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The six edition of the Hackaholics of Wema Bank Plc has produced 20 top finalists shared equally between two streams, Ideathon and Hackathon.
The Hackathon finalists are Rapid DEV, Secure IT, Neurafeed, Trust Lock Babcock, Pulse Track, IlluminiTrust, Trust Lock FUTA, Fix Fraud AI, KASH Flow and VOC AI.
The Ideathon finalists include PLOY, Fertitude, VarsityScape, Mama ALERT, StockMed, Chao, All Arbitrate, FarmSlate, Sane AI and Cycle X.
They emerged after a two-day pre-pitch held on December 16 and 17, 2025, for the grand finale slated for Friday, December 19, 2025.
They grand finale of Hackaholics 6.0 will convene the top players in Africa’s tech and innovation ecosystem, creating an avenue for these finalists to not only put their creativity to the ultimate test but also give their solutions visibility to potential investors for additional funding opportunities beyond the prizes to be won.
The prizes to be won for the Ideathon include N25 million for the winner, N20 million for the first runner-up, N15 million for the second runner-up and N5 million each for two women-led teams.
In the Hackathon category, the first to fourth-place winners will receive N20 million, N15 million, N10 million and N5 million, respectively.
The pre-pitch saw the top 43 contenders battle in a game of innovation and problem solving, presenting compelling pitches for a chance to make it to top 10 in their respective streams.
After a rigorous stretch of pitches and presentations, the top 20 emerged, securing their spot in the grand finale of Hackaholics 6.0.
“Hackaholics started off as a hackathon and morphed into an ideation. For Hackaholics 6.0, the sixth edition, we decided to give both the builders of new solutions and the refiners of existing ones, an opportunity to make meaningful impact.
“For us at Wema Bank, we understand that innovation isn’t just building from scratch. Sometimes, it’s looking at what exists and developing new ways to optimise that and create more efficiency. This is the idea behind our two-stream Ideathon-Hackathon structure.
“Every year, Hackaholics shows us just how eager and motivated Nigerian youth are when it comes to exploring creativity and innovation, and we are honoured to be the institution that provides them with the platform and resources to put this drive to good use.
“We toured seven cities, indulged 1,460 participants and discovered hundreds of remarkable ideas; some of which needed some refining and some of which deserved to move to the next stage.
“For those who needed to go back to the drawing board, we provided useful guidance and for the top contenders, we were able to shortlist to the top 43, who proceeded to the pre-pitch. To every participant, Wema Bank is proud of you. This is just the beginning,” the chief executive of Wema Bank, Mr Moruf Oseni, said.
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