First City Monument Bank (FCMB) said it had been selected as the ‘best SME bank in Africa’, consolidating its position as one of the dominant financial institutions in the segment.
The bank explained in a statement that it had recently won the award at the Asian Banker Middle East and Africa Regional Awards.
According to the Asian Banker, FCMB emerged as the best SME bank in Africa after a series of online surveys across the region to gather feedback from thousands of customers per market. In the survey, we also asked customers to rate how good their main banks are. helped them during the crisis. The results and rankings are a true reflection of the customers’ voice. ‘
The organizers further stated: ‘FCMB has launched various digital initiatives in the SME segment, such as digital loan products (Quickloans) and its New Mobile banking platform.
” In addition, the bank has launched a platform, the first of its kind, to expand businesses owned by women by accessing funding schemes, mentorship programs, as well as training and networking opportunities.
“FCMB has also helped SMEs improve their capacity, thus improving their business operations, making contact with peers and accessing trusted service personnel.” The bank has a 25 percent market share in the SME business and had more than 300,000 new accounts in 2019. in this segment. We commend FCMB for its incredible contributions to ensuring the growth and sustainable development of SMEs in the region. “
The managing director of FCMB, mr. Adam Nuru, described the commentary on the award as another milestone and a clear proof that the various strategic initiatives and solutions that the bank offers deliver the desired results and are appreciated in Nigeria and internationally.
According to him, “we are excited to be recognized by the Asian Banker for our leading proposals and support to SMEs, which continue to have a real impact on businesses and the economy in general.
‘This award is further confirmation that we are on track in our customer-centric approach to providing financial services.
“We will continue to expand the boundaries of our innovation and make extra efforts to implement offerings that continually improve the customer experience.
“We thank the Asian banker and the respondents for considering us worthy of being the best SME bank in Africa. We dedicate this award to our customers who made FCMB as it is today”.
Bukola Smith, Executive Director of FCMB, Mrs. Bukola Smith, during the reception of the award, said the rise of the bank as the leader in the highly competitive SME category speaks volumes about its journey so far and its contribution to the success of despite the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said that, “as a resilient, inclusive and responsive institution, we have continued to use solutions to transform the challenges that COVID-19 presents into opportunities for our customers using our robust technology, digital transformation drive and highly professional team.
“Our supply of small and small businesses has changed lives, including through job and wealth creation. This is because we believe that the only way we can succeed is when our customers succeed.
“We are very proud to be the best SME bank in Africa, especially after KPMG ranked us as the best SME bank in Nigeria in the report on Nigeria’s customer experience in the banking industry in 2019. This latest award will undoubtedly inspire us to perform better. “