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Five Win in Heritage Bank’s YNSPYRE, CREAM Platform Promo

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Heritage Bank’s YNSPYRE

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Five fresh winners have emerged in the monthly draw organised by Heritage Bank and CREAM Platform under the YNSPYRE Initiative.

The event took place last Friday in Abuja in the presence of officials of the financial institution and the premiere creative reward platform in Nigeria.

The Heritage Bank’s YNSPYRE Initiative rewards subscribers who dial the *745*463# code with lots of cash and other prizes.

The winners went home with N200,000 each, while a popular artiste in the country, Mr Oladapo Oyebanjo, otherwise known as D’Banj, promised to fully support their businesses and passion.

Some of those that won at the digital draw such as Blessing (an entrepreneur), Justice Isaac Precious (a footballer and musician) and John (a caterer) expressed joy for emerging winners.

Recall that recently, Heritage Bank doled out N1 million to one Damilola Adeyemi, a winner of an online giveaway competition to celebrate the bank’s product, YNSPYRE, ambassador, D’Banj, which heralded the launching of the YNSPYRE Account.

The CREAM Platform is chaired by D’Banj, who was physically present at the event. Others were the Heritage Bank Regional Executive, Abuja and North, Mr George Okoh-Oboh; popular Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh; popular musician, Mr Easi (real name Isaiah Ediae) and other top officials of the bank.

In his remarks, Mr Okoh-Oboh described the partnership between Heritage Bank and CREAM Platform as a game-changer for the creative industry in Nigeria.

“It’s been a smooth journey and the Bank has also set aside certain funds for the creative industry because we believe that is needed to support our youths.

“And so what we have done is to be able to put this out there so that we can select very talented youths working with D’Banj and once they meet certain criteria, we will be able to lend across to them as a bank.

“So, the funds have already been set out and waiting this launch which we are having today. So it’s quite an interesting story for the bank and it’s a great day for us today,” he said.

On his part, D’Banj said that the CREAM Platform has built a strong reputation for producing some of the brightest talents in the country over the last couple of years.

He explained that the purpose of the platform was to have a creative hub for Africa where people can upload their contents, be discovered and get funding support from Heritage Bank.

He said the platform would enable Nigerians to discover their talents in areas such as entertainment, entrepreneurship, music, arts and other areas in the creative industry value chain.

D’Banj expressed optimism that the creative industry if properly harnessed, has the potentials to reduce the level of unemployment in the country, boost wealth creation for the people and help the country generate the much needed foreign exchange.

He noted that with the creative industry accounting for one of the highest exports from Nigeria, the time has come for operators in the sector to be supported with the finances.

“This year will make it five years that the platform was launched and our main aim is to create a gateway to the creative hub of Africa. With so much talent in the country and the hub in the continent, we saw it as a platform for people to have that access to become whatsoever they desire.

“And it’s no news that Heritage Bank is our partner to provide the access and financial help that you will need,” the music act said.

“The creative industry is one of the biggest exports in the last three years now whether you are looking at music, fashion, movies. But we need that financial help, that financial backing.

“So, for a long time, we have been discussing with Heritage Bank to see how we can get the funds and get that help to the people.

“And today is going to be the first time that we are actually rewarding the customers. Heritage Bank went further to help us create the ‘YNSPYRE’ Product.

“This product is for the youths and the creative industry to help ease access to funding contents uploaded on the CREAM Platform,” he added.

In her comments, Ms Dikeh urged D’Banj and the bank to create more awareness about the product to enable many people to take advantage of the initiative.

She said as an advocate of youth empowerment, the initiative would help to harness the potentials of the youths and stimulate the much-needed development of the creative industry.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

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Development Bank of Nigeria Wins Financial Inclusion Leadership Award

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Development Bank of Nigeria

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

In recognition of its unwavering commitment to fostering access to financing for Nigerian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Development Bank of Nigeria Plc has been rewarded with the Financial Inclusion Leadership Award at the Champions of Inclusion Nigeria Financial Inclusion Awards.

This was at the 2024 International Financial Inclusion Conference (IFIC) organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with the World Bank and other stakeholders.

The chief executive of the lender, Mr Tony Okpanachi, said the recognition affirms the company’s efforts in expanding access to financial services for MSMEs in Nigeria.

“We are honoured to receive the Financial Inclusion Leadership Award, which is a testament to our bank’s commitment to expanding access to financial services for all Nigerians. This award recognises our efforts to bridge the financial inclusion gap, particularly for a priority sector like the MSMEs.

“Additionally, this award is a validation of our strategic focus on driving financial inclusion for small businesses, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this initiative that drives that. We will continue to innovate and expand our financial inclusion programmes, ensuring that more Nigerian small and startup businesses have access to services,” he stated.

On his part, the Chief Operating Officer of DBN, Mr Bonaventure Okhaimo, said the accolade demonstrates the firm’s dedication to driving financial inclusion and economic growth in Nigeria.

“This award acknowledges our Bank’s innovative approach to widening opportunities for MSMEs in Nigeria to grow and scale their businesses,” he said.

“This award will motivate us to continue pushing the boundaries of financial inclusion, exploring more innovative solutions and partnerships to expand our reach and impact.

“We are committed to ensuring that more small businesses and startup enterprises in Nigeria have access to financial services, this award will further inspire us to accelerate our efforts in this regard,” he stated.

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The Banker Magazine Declares Zenith Bank as Bank of the Year in Nigeria

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zenith bank branch

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Banker Magazine of the Financial Times Group in the United Kingdom has announced Zenith Bank Plc as Bank of the Year, Nigeria.

At the Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2024 held on in London on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, it was stated that Nigerian lender clinched the award for its strong management, sound business model and strategy, and approach to sustainability and ESG banking practices.

The chief executive of Zenith Bank, Ms Adaora Umeoji, described the recognition as a “testament to the unwavering trust and loyalty of our esteemed customers, the unparalleled leadership and guidance of the board and management as well as the hard work and dedication of our staff.”

She said, “It also reflects our bank’s steadfast commitment to delivering excellent services to our customers and contributing to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy.”

“We will continue to invest in innovative technologies, expand our range of products and services, and maintain our commitment to exceptional customer service in order to sustain our position as Nigeria’s Number One Bank,” Ms Umeoji assured.

The Banker’s Bank of the Year accolade is among the most coveted and widely regarded award in the banking industry.

Often contested by the world’s leading financial institutions, the winners span across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North America and Western Europe.

Recall that last month, Zenith Bank commissioned its branch in Paris, France following the granting of the final approval by the country’s banking regulator, the Autorité de ContrôlePrudentiel et de Résolution (ACPR).

This is part of the bank’s global expansion strategy, and its commitment to serving clients wherever their businesses are around the world.

Zenith Bank has continued to earn numerous awards, with this latest accolade coming on the heels of several recognitions, including being the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the 15th consecutive year in the 2024 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking, published by The Banker Magazine.

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CBN Reveals Phone Numbers to Report Banks Not Disbursing Cash

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cash deposits

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has published some phone numbers citizens can call to report any bank that fails to give them cash over-the-counter or at Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).

In a circular, the banking sector regulator said cash has been made available to lenders to disburse to their customers, saying they have no reason to do so.

DMBs are directed to ensure efficient cash disbursement to customers OTC and through ATMs as the CBN will intensify its oversight roles to enforce this directive and ensure compliance,” a part of a circular signed by acting Director of Currency Operations, Solaja Mohammed Olayemi; and the acting Director for Branch Operations, Isa-Olatinwo Aisha, stated.

It encouraged members of the public who are unable to obtain cash at their banks to “report these instances using the designated reporting channels and format provided,” saying it will “assist the CBN in addressing issues hindering the availability of cash and further improve currency circulation.”

They are to reach the central bank through designated phone numbers of the CBN branch in the state where the incident occurred or via email.

According to the circular, the complaints should be sent with “the relevant details which shall include account name/name of the DMB/amount/time and date of incidents, amongst others.”

CBN directive cash banks

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