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.

In a bold move to simplify banking and enhance security, FirstBank has introduced facial biometric verification on its FirstMobile app—ushering in a new era of touchless, cardless, and seamless banking.

But this isn’t just a new feature—it’s a thoughtful solution. Whether you’re a new user signing up, a customer in the diaspora without access to cards, or someone who’s ever misplaced a debit card at the worst moment—this feature has you covered.

With anti-spoofing technology built in, it ensures that only you can access your account, making your face your password and your passport to financial convenience.

Beyond biometrics, the new FirstMobile upgrade includes:

• Instant virtual credit cards for secure online shopping
• One-tap credit card activation
• Flexible salary advances with a 3-month repayment option
• And a host of performance improvements and bug fixes

Speaking on the upgrade, Chukwuma Ezirim, Group Executive of E-Business and Retail Products at FirstBank, explained it best:

“Banking should be effortless. Our new features are about making digital banking not only secure but intuitive and accessible—wherever life takes our customers.”

The new FirstMobile app is more than a convenience tool—it’s a companion for anyone navigating modern life. With your face as the key, and access to essential banking services like bill payments, fund transfers, and virtual cards all in one place, FirstBank is not just catching up with the digital wave—it’s helping define it.

Whether you’re home, abroad, or simply tired of traditional banking hurdles, FirstMobile’s facial biometric upgrade promises an experience where speed, security, and simplicity come first. All you have to do—is look.

In a bold leap toward smarter, safer banking, FirstBank has introduced facial recognition technology on its mobile app, FirstMobile, empowering customers to sign up and access services using only their face.

Whether you’re a new customer, someone living abroad without a card, or just tired of typing in passwords, this upgrade makes banking as simple as looking in the mirror.

“It’s not just about technology. It’s about putting customers first,” says Chukwuma Ezirim, group executive of E-Business and Retail Products. “We understand the importance of keeping up with the evolving digital landscape, and we are dedicated to providing our customers with cutting-edge solutions that make banking simpler, faster, and more accessible. Our goal is to ensure that every interaction with FirstBank enhances customer satisfaction and builds long-lasting relationships.”

What’s New?

In addition to facial sign-in and activation, FirstMobile now offers:

• Virtual credit cards for secure online shopping
• Instant credit card activation right from the app
• Flexible salary advance with 3-month repayment
• General performance improvements and bug fixes

With anti-spoofing technology built into facial recognition, customers enjoy a heightened level of protection against fraud — because your face is one password no one else can steal.

Banking Made for Everyone

This upgrade isn’t just for tech lovers. It’s for:

• Customers whose cards are expired, lost, or not yet issued
• Those who’ve opted for cardless banking
• People seeking swift access to transfers, bill payments, and credit tools — from anywhere in the world

Whether you’re in Lagos, London, or Lumumbashi, FirstMobile puts secure digital banking in your pocket.

The Future of Banking Is Personal

FirstBank’s latest innovation isn’t just a feature update — it’s a statement: That banking should adapt to you, not the other way around.

So, the next time you want to bank, just look into your phone.
FirstBank sees you — literally.

Ready to try it? Download or update FirstMobile today.

Learn more about Firstmobile app here.

The promo tagged FirstMobile Cash-out Promo will run for 3 months. The promo, which started on Monday, 21st March 2022 will end on Tuesday, 21st June 2022.

Various prizes including, N1,000,000, N40,000, N10,000.00 cash prizes, N40,000 Airtime, LED Televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioning systems will be won in the course of the three months campaign.

A minimum of two bills payment worth N1000 and five airtimes of at least a total of N2000 in a week qualify a customer for any of the prizes.

The promo is open to new customers and existing users of the FirstMobile app.

FirstMobile customers who do a minimum of 6 transactions weekly on the FirstMobile app, will be eligible for the respective rewards: N10,000 cash for 200 winners; Gift items (TVs, Refrigerators and AC) for 10 winners; N10,000 airtime for 340 winners. 

On the other hand, 500 customers that carry out a minimum of 10 transactions monthly will win N30,000 cash.

The Grand Prize of N1,000,000 will be won by 2 lucky customers who carry out a minimum of 20 transactions or a minimum of two bills payment of N1000 plus five airtime transactions of at least a total of N5000 in a week.

Speaking on the campaign, Chuma Ezirim, FirstBank’s Group Executive, e-Business & Retail Products said, “as the leading financial inclusion services provider in Nigeria, we are delighted to partner with Interswitch, an Africa-oriented technology-driven company, to reward our customers for their continuous patronage. Together with Interswitch, we remain committed to ensuring the continued safety of customers’ funds across multiple electronic payment channels irrespective of where our customers may be across the world. FirstMobile remains another obvious step towards leveraging evolving technologies to bring fast and convenient digital banking solutions to our customers”. 

FirstMobile is built to reflect FirstBank’s resolve at reinforcing the digitisation of payment systems, whilst putting customers at an edge to conveniently meet their everyday needs at any time, irrespective of where they are.

The app provides convenient access to both financial and non-financial transactions by FirstBank account holders via their mobile devices.

It is sleek and convenient to use – evident in its easy enrolment process as all FirstBank customers with Verve and Naira Mastercards can begin using the app without having cause to visit a FirstBank branch.

It is also poised to offer a more reliable and more convenient overall digital banking experience. 

To set up the FirstMobile app, customers with android phones should visit the Google Play store to download and install the FirstMobile app. Customers with Apple devices can download it from the Apple Store.

Once installed, customers are required to open the app, tap the register button, and use their FirstBank issued Naira MasterCard or Verve card to activate the app.

After details have been inputted, an OTP code will be sent via an SMS to your phone number that is linked to your bank account and you are then required to Input a 5 digits code that will be your login password, select two security questions and answer them, create a personalised 4 digits transaction pin that will help your confirm transactions.

Upon the conclusion of these steps above, click Done and start enjoying the app.