First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s Most Valuable Bank Brand, has distinguished itself through its various interventions in its Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability programme. The Bank has defined its approach to doing business responsibly as Corporate Citizenship and this involves positively impacting the lives of key stakeholders and the society at large. This includes deliberate efforts to enable a truly rewarding career for its employees; providing value-added, innovative and sustainable products and services for customers; minimizing environmental impact as well as empowering the communities in which it operates.
The Bank has committed to deliver social investments that will positively impact on the society through wholesome partnerships, encouraging diversity and inclusion whilst wearing the toga of integrity and accountability. Driven by its brand promise ‘You First’, FirstBank is determined to constantly build broader, deeper and sustainable symbiotic relationships to deliver long-term value to shareholders and continuously put stakeholders at the centre of its business.
FirstBank partnered with the Lagos Business School to establish the FirstBank Sustainability Centre to contribute to knowledge in the sustainability driven sector. The centre has hosted the International Sustainability Conference to stimulate sustainability principles in business management; Sustainability Workshops for NGOs to create an enabling platform for NGOs in recognition of their emerging roles in contemporary society; and workshops for women-led SMEs to equip women for enterprise developmentwith sustainable growth strategies.
With an effective Employee Giving and Volunteering Scheme, staff members dedicate their time, knowledge and experience to address development needs and challenges of the community in which they live and work. Some initiatives staff have participated in include annual Down Syndrome Inter House Sports Competition by taking part in some of the sporting activities alongside the children to make them feel loved and appreciated; worldwide commemoration of #GivingTuesday Initiative where gift items were donated to the children in care homes; and the Bank’s FutureFirst programme, whichstaff volunteer to inculcate knowledge of financial principles and ideals as well ascareer counseling for youths.
To drive responsible lending and investing, the Bank acknowledges the relevance to the investor of the environmental, social and governance factors, and of the long term healthand stability of the market as a whole. Therefore, the Bankimplemented an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) management system to conduct due diligence on potential transactions and guide the monitoring of business performance.In a statement by Folake Ani-Mumuney, FirstBank’s Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, the Bank would continue to drive its business ethically, integrating the environmental, social, and governance criteria to enhance the quality of life of its stakeholders.
About FirstBank
First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank) is Nigeria’s premier and most valuable banking brand, and largest financial services institution by total assets and gross earnings. With more than 12 million customer accounts, FirstBank has over 750 branches providing a comprehensive range of retail and corporate financial services. The Bank has international presence through its subsidiaries, FBN Bank (UK) Limited in London and Paris, FBNBank in the Republic of Congo, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea, Sierra-Leone and Senegal, as well as its Representative Offices in Johannesburg, Beijing and Abu Dhabi.
Since its establishment in 1894, FirstBank has consistently built relationships with customers focusing on the fundamentals of good corporate governance, strong liquidity, optimized risk management and leadership. Over the years, the Bank has led the financing of private investment in infrastructure development in the Nigerian economy by playing key roles in the Federal Government’s privatisation and commercialisation schemes. With its global reach, FirstBank provides prospective investors wishing to explore the vast business opportunities that are available in Nigeria, an internationally competitive world-class brand and a credible financial partner.
FirstBank has been named “Most Valuable Bank Brand in Nigeria” six times in a row – 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 – by the globally renowned “The Banker Magazine” of the Financial Times Group; and “Most Innovative Bank in Africa” in the EMEA Finance African Banking Awards 2014. Recently, for the sixth consecutive time, the Bank clinched the “Best Retail Bank in Nigeria” award by The Asian Banker. Our brand purpose is to always put customers, partners and stakeholders at the heart of our business, even as we standardise customer experience and excellence in financial solutions across sub-Saharan Africa, in consonance with our brand vision “To be the partner of first choice in building your future”. Our brand promise is to always deliver the ultimate “gold standard” of value and excellence. This commitment is anchored on our inherent values of passion, partnership and people, to position You First in every respect.
Folake Ani-Mumuney
Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications