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Wema Bank Gives Grants to 20 Royal Kiddies Account Holders

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By Dipo Olowookere

One of the lenders in Nigeria, Wema Bank Plc, has announce plans to give N50,000 grant to 20 holders of its Royal Kiddies Account.

The bank, in a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday, said this gesture was part of its continued support for education in the country through its annual Wema Educational Awards.

In the statement made available to Business Post, the lender, which is the pioneer of Nigeria’s first fully digital bank ALAT, also noted that it was determined to continue to invest in the future of Nigeria.

“The importance of education to children cannot be overemphasized,” says Dotun Ifebogun, who heads Retail & SME at Wema Bank. “Schools do not only teach the subjects listed, they enable children to learn more about themselves, their immediate society and the world at large. The confidence and self-belief needed to be able to achieve in life is usually developed while in school.”

Wema Bank started the Wema Educational Awards in 2013 and has given out over N5 million grant to support the education of children who are holders of its Royal Kiddies Account.

The account is for children aged between day 1 to 12 years. The Royal Kiddies Account has attractive interest rate, 1 percent above standard savings account.

The account is set up to encourage saving, with parents able to give a standing order for regular savings from their accounts.

It also allows for lodgement of dividend warrants and cheques in the child’s name. Bank draft purchased for payment of school fees for the account holder comes without charges. If it becomes difficult to pay school fees, parents can obtain up to N3 million loan.

Commenting on the awards, Head of Brand and Marketing Communications at Wema Bank, Funmilayo Falola, reiterated the bank’s commitment to investing in the future of Nigeria.

“If we are building the Bank of the future in ALAT and we do not invest in the education of our children, we’d be punching holes in our own plans,” Falola says.

“We will continue to support education in Nigeria because we know that an educated generation is a liberated generation, and nothing prevents one from succeeding when you’ve been liberated,” she adds.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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Banking

Development Bank of Nigeria Wins Financial Inclusion Leadership Award

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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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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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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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