Banking

DBN Advocates Sustainability Banking for Microfinance Banks

Published

4 years ago

12/09/2020

As Nigeria and global communities continue to grapple with effects of climate depletion and economic uncertainties enforced by the COVID-19 pandemic, Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has urged Microfinance Banks (MFBs) and its other Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) to improve their sustainability efforts and become more responsive to their social and ecological environment.

This was the thrust of deliberations at a recent webinar session themed Creating a sustainability community of Practice for Nigerian Microfinance Banks which was organised by DBN for MFBs and PFIs.

The initiative is focused on further deepening DBN’s efforts to increase awareness on sustainability issues, and also positively influence its Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) focused initiatives and operations.

DBN Chief Operating Officer, Mr Bonaventure Okhaimo, in his welcome address said there is increased global attention on social impact and contribution of business to their environment and society. He explained that the webinar session is to initiate a conversation around sustainability initiatives and implementation strategies for financial institutions in Nigeria.

“Currently, the overall awareness of sustainability and its transitions for the microfinance ecosystem has not been clearly articulated in Nigeria due to the fact that most MFBs regard lending as the most essential service to be rendered to end-lenders.

“This session is designed to enable PFIs and DBN affiliated MFBs to have a more robust proposition about sustainability and will open them up to myriad advantages, including external funding, generation of deeper trust with stakeholders and legitimization of operations,” he said.

Delivering her keynote address, Special Adviser to CBN Governor on Sustainability, Dr Aisha Mahmoud, stated that deliberations on emerging issues of sustainability are important for the financial ecosystem.

According to her, MFBs, by virtue of their mandate, are already practising the social pillar of sustainability by lending to the underserved sectors of the economy, but have to focus more on the environmental impact of their lending by looking into the activities and operations of their investees through a sustainability lens. She added that today’s successful businesses are those that integrate sustainability in their operations.

“We cannot ignore the environmental pillar because it is as important as the social pillar. Due to our way of unsustainable consumption and production, we are constantly depleting the natural capital.

“We need to shift our growth pathway from the current trajectory to the one that improves the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of the planet earth.

“Going by feedback, companies always think sustainability is an additional cost to the business, but we need a shift from that perception because sustainability is a win-win situation that connects people, planet and the economy.

“Studies show businesses that integrate sustainability well outperform those that do not, as it lowers the cost of capital, results in better operational performance and positively influences the stock price,” she said.

In her remarks, DBN Sustainability Specialist, Lolade Awogbade, who spoke on sustainability benefits for MFBs, said sustainability is more important in these times of pandemic coupled with economic instability, and it is essential that there is an overall understanding of the influence MFBs have on communities and environments which they serve.

She added that investing in social and environmental sustainability initiatives will not only help finance companies in fulfilling their social mission but also differentiate them from competitors, give access to new market segments, provide access to new funding and improve their brand and corporate image.

“A study conducted by European Journal of Sustainable Development, the primary objective of Microfinance has largely been economic, but in recent years, the focus has shifted to a more social or developmental objective.

“In addition, there is a new entrance with the concept of Green Microfinance which entails providing low or moderate-income individuals with loans and technical assistance to help them procure and set up green or environmental friendly products and technology,” Awogbade said.

Banking

Ecobank Partners CreditCorp for Flexible Loans to Customers

Published

19 hours ago

20/01/2025

Dipo Olowookere

By Dipo Olowookere

Ecobank Nigeria Limited has taken a significant step to ensure its customers get cheap personal loans by partnering with the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CrediCorp).

The service is available to civil servants and private-sector employees whose salaries are paid through Ecobank.

New customers can also benefit upon presentation of employer undertaking to pay subsequent salaries through Ecobank.

Starting this January, the initiative provides flexible repayment options and a streamlined loan application process.

These loans can be used to finance a variety of personal needs, including paying school fees, rent, maintenance costs, medical bills, car purchase and repairs, asset purchase, and more.

The loans come with affordable interest rates, a two-year term, and a repayment plan that ensures equal monthly instalments, including principal and interest, do not change throughout the life of the facility, regardless of the economic situation of the country.

According to the Head of Consumer Banking at Ecobank Nigeria, Ms Adeola Ogunyemi, the loans will provide salary earners, both in the public and private sectors, with better access to financial products.

“This collaboration is an excellent opportunity to serve our customers, and we believe it will improve the quality of life for many Nigerians.

“Eligible customers can use the loans to purchase electronics, solar systems, or CNG vehicle conversions, as well as for other essential expenses like school fees, rent, upkeep, medical bills, and car maintenance.

“We encourage working-class Nigerians to open an account with Ecobank to benefit from this initiative,” Ms Ogunyemi stated.

CrediCorp, a Development Finance Institution (DFI) established by the federal government, is focused on enhancing access to consumer credit for Nigeria’s workforce.

Under the partnership, CrediCorp will provide funds to Ecobank, for on-lending to qualified customers.

The arrangement covers personal loans, as well as asset financing for items like solar systems, home appliances, phones, laptops etc. and vehicle conversions to compressed natural gas (CNG).

Ecobank Nigeria is part of the Ecobank Group, a leading pan-African banking organization. The bank provides a full range of financial services to individuals, businesses, and institutions through its network of over 240 branches and 35,000 Xpress Point agencies across Nigeria.

Banking

131 Wema Bank Customers to Win N11m January 24

Published

2 days ago

19/01/2025

Modupe Gbadeyanka

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

No fewer than 131 customers of Wema Bank Plc will win N11 million in cash prize in the company’s 5 for 5 promo season 4 monthly draw fixed for Friday, January 24, 2025, in Warri, Delta State.

According to a statement from the lender, from the 131 customers, 80 of them will win N25,000 each, 40 will win N100,000 each, eight domiciliary account holders will win N250,000 each and three will get N1 million each, with one to be from Warri, venue of the event.

The 5 for 5 promo selects winners from the bank’s pool of active and transacting customers, via thoroughly regulated electronic live draws.

The first 3 seasons saw the Wema Bank 5 for 5 Promo disburse over N150 million to 2,378 Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, and with the launch of Season 4 on October 1, 2024, Wema Bank raised the bar, setting aside a whopping N135 million for disbursement this season alone.

So far, over 1,000 Nigerians have won cash prizes in daily, weekly and monthly draws, with 540 customers winning in 55 daily draws, 550 customers winning in 11 weekly draws and 262 customers winning in 2 monthly draws; totalling over N27 million disbursed so far.

The third monthly draw of the season, which also happens to be the first monthly draw of 2025, is set to hold this January in Warri, and another 131 winners will emerge from the draw.

“The goal for us with the Wema Bank 5 for 5 promo is giving back, providing support and rewarding our loyal customers, it’s been one of the key means through which we say ‘thank you’ as a Bank, and four years strong so far, it’s only gotten better with each season.

“We made millionaires in December ahead of Christmas and it was heartwarming to hear from our amazing customers how instrumental these rewards were in sorting out some bills. Now, we are even more ready to kickstart 2025 on a millionaire note,” the chief executive of Wema Bank, Mr Moruf Oseni, said.

“As a tradition, the 5 for 5 Promo continues to tour different locations across the six geopolitical zones, however, our winners are always selected from across the country. So even though one of the millionaires will be from Warri where this draw will hold, there’s still room for two more millionaires and over 120 more winners of cash ranging from N25,000 to N250,000.

“The joy for us is in the smiles that are made, the stories that are positively impacted and the hope that these cash rewards bring to the winners; from students to small business owners, working professionals, and so on.

“We are all too familiar with the running ‘100 days of January’ reality that plagues a lot of us after the heavy spending that comes with December, so this draw is the perfect opportunity to support our customers beyond the daily and weekly draws that we hold every other weekday.

“I congratulate the winners in advance, and I encourage every new and existing Wema Bank customer to seize this opportunity and start transacting today. The 5 for 5 promo is as transparent as can be, so anyone can win, provided they meet the minimum requirements,” he added.

Banking

UBA Completes Routine System Maintenance on Card Service

Published

2 days ago

19/01/2025

Dipo Olowookere

By Dipo Olowookere

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has completed its scheduled routine system maintenance on its card service.

The financial institution over the weekend informed its customers of a scheduled maintenance on its card service from 12 am to 5 am of Sunday, January 19, 2025.

Customers were told that the action could make them experience service disruption while using the UBA cards for financial transactions.

The lender said it was carrying out the maintenance for better service delivery, apologising for any issue they may encounter during the period.

“In line with our commitment to provide you with exceptional experience and to enable us to serve you better, we will be carrying out a scheduled routine maintenance on our card services.

“During this period, you may not be able to use your Debit & Credit Card. Please use our alternative channels, LEO, *919#, Mobile App or Internet Banking for transactions

“An update will be provided as soon as the maintenance is completed.

“We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please be assured that we are committed to providing you with excellent banking services,” the notice earlier sent to customers said.

After the completion of the process, UBA mailed another statement to customers, informing them they could use their cards without any issue.

“We are pleased to inform you that our scheduled routine system maintenance has been completed.

“You can now enjoy safer and quicker transactions on our card service.

“We regret any inconvenience you may have experienced, and assure you of our commitment to continuously provide you with excellent service,” the statement sighted by Business Post read.