Amid shuttering of social activities especially commercial services,
through various lockdown measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic,
FirstBank has proven that as long as its customers require services,
the Bank will be waiting right in front of them.
As key enablers of the economy, banks are providers of essential
services to customers and communities.
Sequel to the pandemic outbreak, the Minister of Finance, Budget and
Planning and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria obtained
Presidential approval to permit critical financial services to function
during this period.
Covid-19: Firstbank Reinforces Its E-Banking Offerings, Appreciates Customers
CBN further urged the general public to limit their use of cash and
avail themselves of alternative payment channels such as mobile banking,
internet banking, mobile money, Point of Sale (POS), and USSD banking;
assuring that financial institutions will remain operational during this
period and therefore people should guard against panic withdrawals from
their banks.
The assumption that banks will be able to deliver services during this
period, was no doubt predicated on the fact that institutions like
FirstBank already had a fully functional digital infrastructure, to
serve its customers through electronic channels.
In a statement to customers, FirsBank’s CEO Dr. Adesola Adeduntan,
categorically made this promise to them: “COVID-19 will not slow us
down”.
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“These are unprecedented times,” acknowledges Adeduntan “We
therefore promise that now more than ever we will remain steadfast,
showing up for all Nigerians; we would always be there for you.
“As I reflect on the last two weeks, I am comforted by the resilience
of our people. I look back at our commitment and contribution to keeping
commerce going and enabling businesses.”
These reassuring words of Dr. Adeduntan, do not go without tangible
proofs of the bank’s unrelenting efforts to stay ahead of the
situation many customers feared would cripple banking transactions and
further exacerbate the pains brought on by the pandemic.
Indeed, since the enforcement of the lockdown measure, regular and
unique ancillary services continue to be seamlessly delivered by
FirstBank.
The impressive achievements of FirstBank in service delivery, during
this unexpected disruption to lives and businesses on a global scale,
has been nothing short of the extraordinary.
Or how would you explain over 53,000 agents bringing banking services
right to your doorsteps, processing over 5 million transactions with
different and large monetary values in the week preceding 10 April.
How about an approximate 2.5 million withdrawals amounting to
N35billion across FirstBank’s ATMS in a single week?
On record, FirstBank’s larger corporate customers have done over
1,700 transactions successfully on the bank’s e-bills platform worth
N6.8billion during this challenging period.
Nigerians with FirstBank cards have used them 21 million times for
payments or withdrawals, worth N268 million.
Customers have made transfers over 10 million times with a total value
of about N615billion naira across FirstBank’s digital channels all in
one week.
How does a bank get all these done under the prevalent lockdown and
disruption of regular routine?
“Expertise and resilience are in our DNA,” explains the Bank’s
CEO, “we are working tirelessly to ensure that your banking
transactions continue seamlessly and will remain so; COVID-19 will
neither slow us down nor defeat us.
We are holding up our side, and now more than ever we will uphold our
promise to you to be here for you and put You First.”
Indeed, the capability of banks to render uninterrupted digital
services and investment advisory across many channels, especially during
a crisis, projects economic stability.
More than ever before, the importance of the services banks provide to
individuals and communities extends beyond commercial interests,
especially now that cash withdrawals far outstrip deposits.
As an unprecedented challenge to financial institutions like banks, the
current coronavirus pandemic serves as a litmus test for them to prove
their role as systemic stabilizers, delivering services at least in part
for social good.
As the crisis lingers with no end in sight, FirstBank staff remarkably
are in place to attend to customers’ needs, in spite of the social
distancing measure.
The bank continues to maintain all pre-existing channels of
communication including receiving emails through its
firstcontact@firstbanknigeria. com address and urging customers to
contact their Relationship Managers or Private Bankers for banking
services guidance and advisory.
Despite the extra efforts banks may put into rendering uninterrupted
services in times like this, they are doing nothing more, than to meet
the expectations of customers and maintain economic stability.
From a tactical level, financial institutions like banks can do a lot
to reduce consumer and business stress, because as deposit gatherers,
credit grantors, and payment facilitators, banks play a vital role in
the functioning of the economy.
However, delivering solutions tailored to each individual customer at
this critical time, also engenders trust and brand loyalty.
“We recognize our role in keeping the engine going, keeping society
going and recognize further, it is our responsibility to remain at the
forefront of this; true to our name and in keeping with the
incontrovertible fact that we are fully woven into the fabric of
society. Our unparalleled network and total coverage of this nation
serve us all well at this time ensuring service across the country via
our safe, user friendly and convenient alternative channels are
available for you 24/7,” says Adeduntan.
While Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy, large portions of the
economy are in the informal sector and depend constantly on cash
movement.
As the financial consequences mainly for MSMES become more serious due
to paucity of inflows, (some major players in the economy – oil,
aviation and tourism too are not spared) people will expect their banks
to look out for them and protect them from imminent financial
catastrophe.
Indeed, bank clients would like to see the pandemic brought under
containment as soon as possible, in order to resume work and commercial
activities. For them, a stable and reliable financial partner like
FirstBank that has shown resilience and reliability would be an
institution that can be leveraged on, to get business back on track and
rolling as fast as possible, once this is over.
Adeduntan in concluding his statement says to the bank’s customers:
“Rest assured that we are in this together, and together we will
emerge stronger at the end of this period because this too shall pass.
We have all it takes; your support, patronage and trust. We will always
put You First”.
