Chuma Ezirim – Tech | Business | Economy https://techeconomy.ng Tech | Business | Economy Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:33:35 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://techeconomy.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/cropped-256Px-32x32.png Chuma Ezirim – Tech | Business | Economy https://techeconomy.ng 32 32 FirstBank Partners with Verve on ‘Verve Flash Promo’ https://techeconomy.ng/firstbank-partners-with-verve-on-verve-flash-promo/ https://techeconomy.ng/firstbank-partners-with-verve-on-verve-flash-promo/#respond Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:33:35 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=170359 First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank), Nigeria’s premier and leading financial inclusion services provider, has announced the launch of the Verve Flash Promo, a special initiative rewarding customers with free Verve cards.

The campaign, which commenced on 6 October 2025, and will run until 30 January 2026, is exclusively targeted at FirstBank customers whose ATM cards have expired.

The free cards will be issued daily to 131 customers on a first-come, first-served basis across the Bank’s branches, nationwide. FirstBank’s unwavering commitment to convenience, accessibility, and customer satisfaction.

Speaking on the rewards to FirstBank customers, Chuma Ezirim, the group executive, e-Business and Retail Products at FirstBank, said:

“The Verve Flash Promo is not just about rewarding customers with free verve debit cards; it is about celebrating our legacy of 131 years of trust, resilience, and innovation in the Nigerian financial services industry. At FirstBank, we remain committed to providing customer-centric solutions that enable secure, seamless, and convenient payment experiences. Partnering with Verve International on these initiatives, including the Verve Good Life promo, underscores our shared vision of deepening financial inclusion while rewarding our loyal customers for their continuous patronage.”

Also commenting, Vincent Ogbunude, managing director, Verve International, noted:

“Through strategic collaborations like this with FirstBank, we continue to demonstrate Verve’s commitment to enhancing access to seamless payment solutions for every Nigerian. The Verve Flash Promo not only rewards loyal customers but also reinforces our vision of making everyday transactions more rewarding, secure, and convenient. As we extend the Good Life Promo, we remain steadfast in our goal of deepening financial inclusion while delivering real value to Verve cardholders across the country.”

Meanwhile, the ongoing Verve Good Life promo, designed to reward Verve debit card holders for using their cards at specific merchant points, has been extended to 30 November 2025.

During the period, Verve Card holders enjoy 10% cashback at The Place Restaurant, Quickteller, Buypower, Filmhouse, AlliExpress, Addide Supermarkets, and Chowdeck app every Thursday to Sunday.

Verve cardholders can now enjoy a 10% cashback on the Google Play Store any day of the week throughout the Good Life Promo, which runs until 30 November 2025.

Moreso, every transaction made with a Verve card whether on ATMs, POS terminals, or online platforms automatically earns customers a chance to win up to ₦1,000,000.

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FirstBank Hits ₦1 Trillion Milestone in Instant Digital Loan Disbursements https://techeconomy.ng/firstbank-hits-%e2%82%a61-trillion-milestone-in-instant-digital-loan-disbursements/ https://techeconomy.ng/firstbank-hits-%e2%82%a61-trillion-milestone-in-instant-digital-loan-disbursements/#comments Fri, 18 Jul 2025 16:25:32 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=163347 In a defining moment for Nigeria’s financial services sector, FirstBank has announced that it has surpassed ₦1 trillion in cumulative instant digital loan disbursements, a historic milestone that underscores the Bank’s position at the forefront of innovation, digital transformation, and financial inclusion in Africa.

Since launching its first digital loan in August 2019, FirstBank has revolutionised how Nigerians access credit.

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, the Bank built a resilient, automated lending ecosystem that bypasses traditional barriers to finance, such as collateral requirements, paperwork, or even face-to-face interaction.

This approach has opened the door to 1.5 million unique borrowers, including salary earners, non-salary earners, and micro-entrepreneurs, who now enjoy seamless, secure, and on-demand access to credit through FirstAdvance, FirstCredit, and AgentCredit.

Whether via 894# USSD, the FirstMobile App, LitApp, or the FirstMonie Agent platform, users can receive funds instantly, often within seconds.

“This milestone is not just about numbers,” said Chuma Ezirim, group executive, e-Business & Retail Products at FirstBank.“ It reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation, customer empowerment, and financial inclusion. We are proud to be enabling the dreams of millions by offering real-time access to credit, particularly to those often excluded from traditional banking channels.”

FirstBank currently disburses over ₦1 billion daily in digital loans, a powerful indication of growing demand for responsive, tech-driven financial services across Nigeria.

Transforming Credit Access for the Underserved

At the heart of FirstBank’s digital lending strategy is the vision to empower everyday Nigerians, whether it’s a small trader in Kano needing a quick top-up to restock inventory or a young professional in Lagos managing end-of-month expenses.

These solutions offer more than convenience; they foster financial resilience and economic participation for individuals who may otherwise be excluded from formal credit systems.

“We will continue to scale our digital lending services, particularly in underserved and high-risk customer segments,”Ezirim added. “Our goal is to democratise credit access, responsibly, securely, and at scale.”

As Nigeria continues to digitise its economy, FirstBank remains a catalyst in ensuring that financial technology meets financial empowerment.

Through continued investment in intelligent infrastructure and customer-centric product design, the Bank is helping Nigerians not only access loans, but build confidence, improve livelihoods, and unlock opportunities.

*To learn more about FirstBank’s digital loan services, visit here or dial *894# to get started.

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FirstBank Disburses N1billion in One Day via Agent Credit Scheme https://techeconomy.ng/firstbank-disburses-n1billion-in-one-day-via-agent-credit-scheme/ https://techeconomy.ng/firstbank-disburses-n1billion-in-one-day-via-agent-credit-scheme/#respond Mon, 02 Jun 2025 11:01:11 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=159906 Firstmonie Agent Credit Scheme is a FirstBank’s digital lending solution designed to empower a wide range of low-income individuals who face barriers in accessing traditional credit channels.

This innovative program offers financial support to Firstmonie Point-Of- Sale agents by enabling the to overcome liquidity challenges and capitalize on new opportunities without disruption in business due to lack of funds in agents accounts.

The Agent Credit scheme is aimed at bridging financial gaps and solving liquidity challenges, resulting from depleted account balances, even when the Agents have physical cash at hand.

The scheme helps them to run business effectively by providing digitalized loans which is convenient, seamless and easily accessible via the Firstmonie App.

Agent Credit is a groundbreaking innovation that elevates the Agent experience. This game-changing scheme digitalise loan application processes and enables agents access to digital loans with greater ease. By proffering varieties of value-added services for Agents this unlocks new business opportunities, eliminates lengthy payment delays, and provides agents with instant access to loans, hence revolutionizing the way they operate and assures their entrepreneurial success.

For over 131 years, FirstBank has been a giant advocate for their customers, enabling their success by providing a secure and trustworthy environment for their financial transactions.

Agent Credit is a testament to FirstBank’s commitment to empowering their agents and elevating their business experience.

Firstmonie agents introducing customers to digital payment channels
Firstmonie agents introducing customers to digital payment channels

Reiterating the Bank’s role in deepening financial inclusion in the country, Chuma Ezirim, group executive, e-Business & Retail Products, said:

“With this innovative solution, we are bridging the financial gap and providing our agents with the necessary tools to succeed in today’s fast-paced market. By extending credit facilities with a low interest rate, increasing eligibility loan amount as transaction increases and streamlining loan application processes, we are confident that Agent Credit will revolutionize the way our agents operate, enabling them to reach new heights of success and growth. FirstBank remains committed to financial literacy and inclusion, empowering individuals and communities to manage their finances effectively”.

The creation of Firstmonie Agents was in compliance with the Central Bank’s directive for all banks to expand banking to all the unbanked areas of the country in order to create financial inclusion across the nation.

By expanding financial services to rural areas, FirstBank creates employment opportunities and drives economic growth.

The presence of banking agents in all the nooks and crannies of the nation was accomplished by FirstBank within a short period of time such that by December 2021 they had covered 772 out of the existing 779 Local Government Areas in Nigeria.

These services help businesses grow and innovate, while initiatives like Agent Credit promote financial inclusion, education, and access to financial services, ultimately contributing to economic development.

Since the creation of Agency Banking, the ease of access to business and indeed personal funds has been great.   Many lives were lost in the past through travels from villages or rural settlements to the city in order to use banking facilities.

Today, “Mobile ATMs” as the agents are fondly called are equipped to carry out services which includes account opening, cash deposit, cash withdrawal, bills payment, and money transfers.

FirstBank has undergone several transformations, constantly adapting to the changing financial landscape, pioneering various banking solutions to meet the needs of its diverse customer base.

The bank’s retail banking division has been instrumental in providing accessible financial services, contributing to the nation’s economic development.

The scheme offers more than funds, the Agents are trained regularly, exposed to technology and other incentives like bespoke award events where attractive prizes are won.

Disbursing N1 billion in a single day to its Agents through the Agent Credit Scheme is a significant milestone by the Nation’s Pioneer Financial institution.

This accomplishment underscores FirstBank’s commitment to financial inclusion and its innovative approach to retail banking.

Since its launch in 2020 the Agent Credit scheme has provided solutions to the agent’s pressing needs by providing quick access to affordable credit facilities, enabling them to manage liquidity challenges and expand their businesses.

Agents can access up to N1.5m with loans disbursed in under a minute through the Firstmonie App. The facility is not only super-fast, it offers a flat interest rate of 0.3% with flexible repayment terms, making it an attractive option for agents seeking to increase their operations.

Since its inception, the bank’s Agent Credit Scheme has disbursed over  N571 billion empowering over 37,000 Firstmonie Agents in 3million loan counts, reinforcing FirstBank’s commitment to supporting Firstmonie Point-Of- Sale agents and promoting economic development.

A testament to FirstBank’s Retail Banking leadership.  The successful disbursement of N1 billion in a single day through the Agent Credit Scheme highlights the bank’s innovative approach to retail banking and its dedication to financial inclusion.

By leveraging technology and a vast Agent network, the bank has transformed the banking experience of millions of Nigerians especially those in remote and underserved communities.

FirstBank’s retail banking strategy, characterized by customer-centric solutions and digital innovations continues to set industry standards.

The bank’s efforts have not only enhanced financial access but also contributed to job creation and economic empowerment across the country.

By empowering Firstmonie Agents with the necessary tools, resources and incentives, FirstBank fosters a more inclusive financial ecosystem, ensuring that banking services are accessible to all Nigerians, regardless of their location.

As FirstBank continues to innovate and expand its retail banking services, it remains steadfast in its mission to be the partner of first choice in building the future of its customers and the nation at large.

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