Banking
Heritage Bank Partners Customers To Grow Their Businesses
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Due to its desire to partner and create wealth for their individual customers, Heritage Bank took advantage of the customers’ service/appreciation week to organise a business fair that showcases and celebrates the business activities of their various customers.
The fair which took place at 12 Ligali Ayorinde Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, last Sunday and Monday, saw various entrepreneurial clientele of the bank displaying their products and services to potential customers.
The event was strategically kick started on Sunday, a work free day, to enable customers alongside their family and friends hang out at the fair.
Just as was obtainable in trade fairs, products were reasonably cheap as they were sold at much discounted prices and prospective shoppers also used the occasion to obtain the contact addresses of sellers.
In her welcome address, the Executive Director, South Bank, Mrs Adaeze Udensi, disclosed that Heritage Bank aims at collaborating with its customers to grow their businesses into generational conglomerate.
Mrs Udensi said, “Our desire is for Nigerian businesses to be listed on the stock exchange and eventually become global brands and household names.
“We believe that businesses like yours are the backbone of the economy because you create jobs and play a huge role in moving our country out of this present recession. I encourage you to rise up to this challenge facing every Nigerian entrepreneur and make our economy vibrant again.”
She stated that the Heritage Bank business fair is where new deals are brokered and partnerships initiated. ‘It is the place to connect’ she said.
According to her, a contact at the fair could lead to a business opportunity tomorrow and shoppers in turn will appreciate the vendors’ home grown businesses and in turn, the vendors would learn more innovative ways to meet their needs. ‘That is why we have created a platform like this, to propel a network of fast growing businesses’.
“Seize this opportunity, network with other vendors that are present, engage our SME consultants at the mini-bank and let us be your guide on the path to global recognition.”
Echoing Mrs Udensi’s speech was the Executive Director, Abuja & North Bank, Mr Ola Olabinjo who hinted that the business fair being organised by the bank is a sure foundation of taking Nigeria’s economy out of recession.
The Abuja North Bank ED remarked that because small businesses are the foundation of every economy, at Heritage Bank, they are more than every ready to ensure that they support them.
“It is not the size of the balance sheet of the bank that grows an economy, but the patriotism of the bank and the small businesses and we are determined to go the long walk with you.”
Full of life and ensuring orderliness at the fair was the Group Head, Customer Experience and Analytics, Kikanya Akpenyi who declared to Independent that she is happy and could only thank God that the D-day has finally come and that the vendors responses to the invitation was fantastic.
“This is the second edition, during the first one, of course, we were still testing the water so, a lot of the planning was a bit rushed. However, this time around, we had much time to plan and that is why we were able to get a bigger space in terms of a more vantage location that would be accessible to a lot of people.”
Akpenyi indicated that the success of the event was hinged on the feedback gotten from the previous edition, leading to more people wanting to be a part of it.
“So, it took a lot of works, getting the vendors, collecting their logos and promotional materials for them. And of course, on our part, trying to put the word out there and then getting all these to happen. About two months of preparation, checking prices, comparing locations and then, we are here today.
“I am excited and happy, I am thankful for the team I have, it couldn’t have happened with just me. Team work is actually the success factor here. So, everyone has put in his and her best. We also got very good support from our management.”
Despite being organized just for the Lagos entrepreneurs, there were also vendors from outside Lagos that graced the occasion and the bank welcomed them with open arm.
The event which was open to all retail segments of Heritage Bank’s clients, according to the organizers, is hoped to be taken beyond the Island, to other metropolitan cities across the country.
“It is all about giving back to our customers, finding ways to support them, as well as appreciating them for their patronage. We are open to feedback as we get the feedback and clamour to do more, we can always adjust.”
Even though plans were made for 50 booths and five extra, the entire 55 booths were booked and occupied by vendors of various products and services who had their sales reps distributing fliers to customers.
By Dipo Olowookere
One of the leading financial institutions in Nigeria, Access Bank Plc, has commenced the sale of commercial paper worth N194 billion under its N400 billion commercial paper programme.
Access Bank, one of the subsidiaries of a financial services provider, Access Holdings Plc, currently trades its equities at the NASD OTC Securities Exchange, with its share price closing flat at N19.30 per unit on Thursday.
Subscription for the debt instrument began on Wednesday, March 20, 2025, and will close on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
The lender is offering the commercial paper for sale in two tenors; 180 days and 270 days, according to details of the exercise obtained by Business Post.
It is selling the six-month maturity at a discounted rate of 19.44 per cent and the nine-month tenor at 20.92 per cent. The minimum subscription is N5 million and in multiples of N1,000 thereafter.
Access Bank combines a strong retail customer franchise and digital platform with deep corporate banking expertise, proven risk management and capital management capabilities.
The lender was the first deposit money bank (DMB) in the country to meet the N500 billion minimum capital requirement of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for banks with international operations, with its share capital exceeding N600 billion.
The bank has been acquiring different financial institutions outside the country, including in South Africa, as part of its expansion drive.
It operates commercial banking services through a network of more than 700 branches and service outlets spanning three continents, 24 countries and over 60 million customers spread across Africa, Europe and Asia.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
No fewer than 20 fresh millionaires have emerged in the Fidelity Bank Plc Get Alert in Millions (GAIM) Season 6 promo.
They winners were picked at the second and third monthly draws of the financial institution held at its corporate headquarters in Lagos recently.
The events were monitored by the representatives of relevant regulatory bodies, including the South-West Zonal Coordinator of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC), Mrs Aboluwade Margaret; and the Principal Legal Officer of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Oyinkan Kusamotu.
A statement from the lender disclosed that the 20 lucky winners were randomly selected through an electronic draw across Lagos, North, Abuja, South-West, South-South, and South-East zones and would be rewarded with N1 million each.
The Fidelity Bank GAIM campaign was launched in November 2024 and about N19.75 million has been won by 869 customers across different categories.
The GAIM 6 campaign, which will run until August 2025, is set to reward lucky customers with a total of N159 million.
Speaking at the draws, the promo Chairperson and Executive Director for Lagos and South-West, Fidelity Bank, Dr Ken Opara, noted that the GAIM 6 promo was designed to reward customers’ loyalty, encourage a savings culture, and promote financial inclusion across the country.
Dr Opara, represented by the Regional Bank Head for Ikoyi, Chetachi Okechukwu, said, “Fidelity Bank is dedicated to the financial well-being of our customers and this commitment inspired the launch of the GAIM Promo, designed to cultivate a strong culture of savings.
“Through this promo, customers have the chance to win substantial cash prizes up to N10 million by saving and transacting with their Fidelity Bank Savings accounts.
“In addition to the monetary rewards, winners will receive complimentary financial advisory services to secure and grow their wealth for the future.”
Fidelity Bank, ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 8.5 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
As part of its commitment to deliver quality service to customers, Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) has finally embraced the trade finance software of Union Systems Limited (USL), Kachasi.
The lender said its migration from Finastra’s Trade Innovation (TI) to USL’s Kachasi is a testament to the strength, reliability and competitiveness of this homegrown solution.
Kachasi is Nigeria’s leading indigenous trade finance software built to empower banks with seamless automation, regulatory compliance, and enhanced operational efficiency.
The platform has consistently proven to be a game-changer in the trade finance sector, offering key features such as full compliance with statutory and local regulatory requirements, end-to-end automation of trade finance processes, compliance with international trade regulations, advanced risk management and reporting tools, as well as seamless integration with core banking, local portals and third-party systems.
RMB said its decision to integrate Kachasi into its operations reinforces the platform’s reputation as a trusted trade finance solution.
As international trade becomes more complex, financial institutions require cutting-edge technology to navigate regulatory requirements, mitigate risks, and ensure operational excellence.
“This win affirms our commitment to revolutionizing trade finance automation across Africa. As more financial institutions embrace Kachasi, we remain dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions that drive efficiency and elevate the banking sector,” the financial institution stated.
Also, the chief executive of USL, Mr Chuks Onyebuchi, said, “This partnership with Rand Merchant Bank marks a defining moment, not just for Union Systems Limited but for African-built fintech solutions on the global stage.
“The successful transition from Finastra’s Trade Innovation (TI) to Kachasi proves that our homegrown technology is not only competitive but also better suited to the evolving needs of banks and trade finance institutions.
“Kachasi’s seamless automation, deep integration capabilities, and understanding of the local and international trade landscape make it the ideal choice for financial institutions looking to drive efficiency and innovation. This achievement is a testament to our commitment to building world-class technology, and we are excited to support RMB in revolutionizing their trade finance operations.”
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