Banking remains a game-changer – First Bank of Nigeria and subsidiaries CEO

Delivering his address at the FBNBank@25 Gala Dinner held in commemoration of the 25th-anniversary celebrations of FBNBank Ghana, Dr Adeduntan indicated that “banking has remained a game-changer for West Africa since the 1890s when it was introduced into the sub-region”. 

He said that “Through the introduction of banking, we have enjoyed benefits like the monetisation of our economies, improved trade, socio-economic development, and bridging the gap between people and cultures.

“We are told of the support thriving businesses like Elder Dempster, A. G. Leventis, U.A.C. and others enjoyed from the banks of those days and how the introduction of formal businesses generated momentum in the socio-economic development of the then colonial territories which have become our countries now.”

Dr Adeduntan mentioned that the late 1890s also witnessed the birth of the First Bank of Nigeria.

Adding that “for over 127 years, the First Bank of Nigeria has remained committed to this role, ensuring responsible support through generations to the growth of economies and businesses.”

He explained that in line with the same enterprising spirit with which First Bank committed itself over generations to support the growth of economies and businesses, the Bank migrated its business to Ghana to set up FBNBank Ghana.

According to Dr Adeduntan, “working together with our stakeholders like the government, regulators and people of Ghana, we aim to leverage our experience and capabilities to become a major player in this country (Ghana). I am happy to say, our team in Ghana is capable and passionate about seeing this through, and we from the parent company are ready to support.”

He revealed that since taking over from the erstwhile International Commercial Bank in Ghana, FBNBank Ghana, with the full support of First Bank of Nigeria, has focused on delivering sustainable support to key sectors of Ghana’s economy with a dedicated focus on SMEs.

He noted that FBNBank’s support continued throughout the peak period of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that critical supply lines remained open.

Delivering his address at the FBNBank@25 Gala Dinner held in commemoration of the 25th-anniversary celebrations of FBNBank Ghana, Dr Adeduntan indicated that “banking has remained a game-changer for West Africa since the 1890s when it was introduced into the sub-region”. 

He said that “Through the introduction of banking, we have enjoyed benefits like the monetisation of our economies, improved trade, socio-economic development, and bridging the gap between people and cultures.

“We are told of the support thriving businesses like Elder Dempster, A. G. Leventis, U.A.C. and others enjoyed from the banks of those days and how the introduction of formal businesses generated momentum in the socio-economic development of the then colonial territories which have become our countries now.”

Dr Adeduntan mentioned that the late 1890s also witnessed the birth of the First Bank of Nigeria.

Adding that “for over 127 years, the First Bank of Nigeria has remained committed to this role, ensuring responsible support through generations to the growth of economies and businesses.”

He explained that in line with the same enterprising spirit with which First Bank committed itself over generations to support the growth of economies and businesses, the Bank migrated its business to Ghana to set up FBNBank Ghana.

According to Dr Adeduntan, “working together with our stakeholders like the government, regulators and people of Ghana, we aim to leverage our experience and capabilities to become a major player in this country (Ghana). I am happy to say, our team in Ghana is capable and passionate about seeing this through, and we from the parent company are ready to support.”

He revealed that since taking over from the erstwhile International Commercial Bank in Ghana, FBNBank Ghana, with the full support of First Bank of Nigeria, has focused on delivering sustainable support to key sectors of Ghana’s economy with a dedicated focus on SMEs.

He noted that FBNBank’s support continued throughout the peak period of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that critical supply lines remained open.

Thanking the key stakeholders, including President Akufo-Addo, the government and people of Ghana, the Bank of Ghana and other regulators and also customers and clients of FBNBank Ghana, the Chief Executive Officer of First Bank of Nigeria Limited and Subsidiaries pledged their commitment to contributing significantly to Ghana through staking a stronger claim to becoming a major player in the country’s financial sector.

He added that “I would like to reemphasise that our commitment to Ghana is absolute as shown by our actions during the recentrecapitalisationn of banks in Ghana. FBNBank is ready and capable of going the long haul with Ghana just as First Bank has done in Nigeria.”

FBNBank Ghana announced its 25th-anniversary celebrations in January this year and has since rolled out a host of activities commemorating the significant milestone, including the National Trade Forum, a Golf Tournament, Customer and Client Engagement, a Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Week and several staff events.

The FBNBank@ 25 Gala Dinner was a key activity for engaging relevant stakeholders like government, regulators, customers, clients and staff of the Bank and to celebrate the successes of the last 25 years to position the Bank for the next significant milestone year.

Present at the event were the Deputy Minister of Finance, John Kumah who represented President Akufo-Addo, Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Elsie Addo Awadzi, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Admiral Ibok, Chief Executive of the Ghana Investment Promotion Council, Yoofi Grant, the President of the Ghana Association of Banks and Managing Director of Standard Chartered Bank, Mansa Nettey, Chief Executive of the Ghana Association of Banks, John Awuah, and several Managing Directors of some of Ghana’s banks.

FBNBank has, in its 25 years of operating in Ghana, remained focused on putting its stakeholders first.

This, it has sought to do through the rich value and excellence of what the Bank contributes to the relationship with its stakeholders as a whole, particularly the customers.

FBNBank Ghana is a member of the First Bank of Nigeria Limited Group, which is renowned for its great customer service and general stakeholder engagement garnered over its 127 years of operation.

FBNBank Ghana has 20 branches and two agencies across the country with over 400 staff. FBNBank offers universal banking services to individuals and businesses in Ghana.

Source: Myjoyonline