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Raheem Akingbolu reviews the new FirstBank’s corporate website and reckons that it would go a long way in strengthening the ability of the bank’s patrons and other potential customers in addressing basic banking operations.
Outside the physical identity of any brand, the most accessible door into operations of a company in today’s market is perhaps the website. With digital technology taking the lead in today’s business environment, website has swiftly become the virtual meeting point for sellers and buyers.
As a result of the fact that website can make or mar companies, depending on its message and aesthetic look, companies are now evolving every day to communicate their ideals through their websites. Today, having a website and an online presence give brand promoter opportunity to market their products online.
For the management of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, the new website represents the trending posture of the brand. In line with today’s business environment, the bank has continued to evolve and reposition to strengthening its operational skills. Though ageing, the FirstBank brand is ever young at heart. Through the website, First Bank has been able to present less cumbersome operations and by extension woos potential members of the public to join the FirstBank’s family.
Specifically, the website appears to have demystified online banking. Among other unique features, it allows self-registration of online banking; it makes provision for loan facility and encourages multiple transfers at once.
In a way, handlers of the FirstBank brand show through the friendly site that they are not ready to waste their customers’ time. They are aware that people don’t visit their website because they are looking for somewhere to spend their extra time. The promoters are quite aware that their customers simply want to get to things quickly and that is why the messages on the website speak to the specifics. Technically but smoothly, each category of the products displayed also parades key issues without confusing customers with irrelevant details.
Though an upgrade of the old one, the current website plays up features that are streamlined to reinforce its role in delivering seamless banking and technology solutions to its customers across the world.
The website is configured with modern design and improved functionality that eases customer experience whilst carrying out various activities on the site, including electronic banking. Non-customers are also able to open an account, putting them at an edge in the industry as they establish a relationship with the bank that puts its customers first.
For instance, many analysts have commended the fact that the bank adopts a fresh, magazine-style look and feel for easy navigation in order to promote the access to essential information for its customers, FirstMonie agents, prospective agents and the public. Another beautiful thing about the site is that the upgrade also guides an average customer to make well-informed decisions about one’s personal, business and private financial needs.
There is no doubt the fact that the bank keys into the popular theory that responsive websites are now the rule for institutions, not the exception. Recent experience in the market place has shown that offering a seamless and consistent user experience, responsive design, allows a single site to serve audiences on all devices and orientations. However, if a company’s analytics show that the percentage of mobile traffic to the company’s site is at least 10% and steadily growing, responsive design is a must for your redesign.
The new FirstBank website is built on a powerful content management system that meets all of the bank’s needs. Meanwhile, some of many basic considerations for institutions, which the new website has explored are; ease of use, features, security and responsive design support.
In financial website, content is more important than ever to a financial website, offering visitors useful information, tools and resources to make better decisions with their money. Again, First Bank explores this maximally.
The bank’s messaging is simple and consistent, and organised in a scannable format for users to digest and take action. Additionally, like all great sites, the site focuses content around visitor’s needs, offering solutions and varied content types.
Being the first impression that its customers gets, website designers often advise that site design should be visually consistent with everything else the audience sees – from customer’s branch to his statement inserts to his emails.
In a way, the design of the FirstBank website is unique, uncluttered and well-planned so it can keep up with the institution’s changes. Another beautiful thing is that the site’s imagery feel distinct and appeal directly to First Bank’s geographic footprint and specific demographics, successfully balancing branded photography and promotional graphics. Each element of the design has a clear strategic purpose, align with the FirstBank brand promise, and send the right message to the bank’s customers.
Ecobank Nigeria has commemorated the 14th edition of Ecobank Day, its flagship Group-wide Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, across four regions of the country, reaffirming its commitment to empowering communities through education and digital inclusion.
The selected schools include: Hope Fountain Foundation for the Deaf, Agege, Lagos; Ibadan School for the Deaf, Ibadan; Special Secondary School for the Deaf, Odakpu, Onitsha, and Kaduna State Special Education School, Kaduna.
This year’s Ecobank Day was celebrated under the theme, “Digital Education,” with a focus on equipping persons with disabilities and young people with essential digital skills that can enhance their educational, personal, and career development in today’s technology-driven world.
The initiative underscores Ecobank’s commitment to extending its impact beyond banking by helping to equip Africa’s youth with the digital and artificial intelligence (AI) skills required to succeed in the future economy.
As part of the programme, Ecobank employees visited selected schools across the four regions, where they conducted digital literacy sessions and donated learning materials and educational resources to support students’ development and prepare them to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
Speaking during the commemoration, the Managing Director/Regional Executive, Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal said: “It is a pleasure to join you today as we commemorate the 14th edition of Ecobank Day, our Group-wide Corporate Social Responsibility initiative dedicated to creating meaningful impact across the communities we serve. “Ecobank Day reflects our commitment to being more than a bank. It demonstrates our dedication to empowering people and contributing to sustainable development across Africa.”
Bolaji noted that digital education has become increasingly important in bridging knowledge gaps and creating opportunities for young people, particularly those living with disabilities, enabling them to participate fully in today’s digital economy.
School proprietors and administrators who participated in the programme commended Ecobank for the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that will help broaden students’ access to digital knowledge and opportunities.
They expressed appreciation to the Bank for investing in the future of young people and supporting inclusive education within their communities.
For 14 years, Ecobank Day has served as an annual platform for Ecobank employees across Africa to give back to society through impactful volunteer activities that address critical social challenges.
The initiative continues to demonstrate the Bank’s dedication to fostering sustainable development and creating lasting positive change across the communities where it operates.
Fidelity Bank Plc has won two honours at the 2026 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
The bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, received the Award for Excellence in Banking Leadership, while Fidelity Bank was named Best Bank in Oil and Gas Financing.
The awards were presented at the 14th BAFI Awards held recently at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to BusinessDay Media Limited, the leadership award recognises banking executives who have delivered institutional growth, strengthened shareholder value, promoted innovation and inclusion, and contributed to the development of Nigeria’s financial services sector.
Onyeali-Ikpe thanked the organisers and dedicated the award to Fidelity Bank’s customers, board, management and employees.
“I am deeply honoured to receive the Award for Excellence in Banking Leadership. I sincerely thank BusinessDay Media Limited for this recognition and dedicate it to our valued customers, whose trust and support have strengthened and inspired me throughout my career.
“The African philosophy of Ubuntu teaches us, ‘I am because we are.’ In that spirit, this honour also belongs to the board, management and staff of Fidelity Bank Plc, whose dedication and professionalism continue to drive our vision of a stronger, more innovative and customer-focused financial institution,” she said.
Onyeali-Ikpe has more than three decades of banking experience spanning retail, corporate and commercial banking, treasury and business development. Since becoming the Chief Executive Officer, she has led Fidelity Bank through sustained growth and an expansion of its international operations, including the acquisition of the former Union Bank UK, now FidBank UK Limited.
The Best Bank in Oil and Gas Financing award recognised Fidelity Bank’s support for projects across Nigeria’s energy value chain.
The bank financed the development of an onshore crude oil export terminal at the Otakikpo Marginal Field in Rivers State. It also supported the Pinnacle Oil and Gas Terminal in Lekki and part-financed a 23,000-cubic-metre liquefied petroleum gas carrier for Temile Development Company Limited.
Fidelity Bank also participated in the $3bn SNEPCo Contractor Finance Facility, which provides naira and dollar financing to indigenous contractors working on SNEPCo projects.
The projects are expected to strengthen local participation, petroleum product distribution, gas availability and critical energy infrastructure.
The two awards underscore Fidelity Bank’s growing profile in the financial services industry and its role in financing sectors critical to Nigeria’s economic development.
The United Bank for Africa (UBA) is poised to give five young Nigerians a shot at getting a share of N41million in educational grants towards their university education.
The Bank, through UBA Foundation National Essay Competition (NEC), is the much talked about life changing opportunity and it is back for with the 16th edition, and this year, with even more reason for young writers to put pen to paper and change their lives in the process.
Previously, there was a lot of talk around education not given priority or due reward as against reality shows or ephemeral activities. Now that talk is gone with the wind.
The UBA annual competition is designed to give senior secondary school students across Nigeria a platform to express their ideas, showcase their writing and critical thinking skills, which will see the top five finalists, receive financial support throughout their university education.
Most importantly, the prize pot has just gotten bigger as the first-place winner will receive a N15 million university grant, while the second and third-place winners will receive N10 million and N7.5 million respectively. It gets even more rewarding as the fourth and fifth-place winners – introduced for the first time ever in the competition – will also receive N5 million and N3.5 million each.
Participants will be expected to tackle a question that directly affects Nigeria’s future: “No nation can develop without food security. How can Nigeria deal with this problem?” That means this is a chance not just to write, but to think, question, and propose practical ideas for a challenge that affects everyone.
The opportunity is open to Nigerian every senior secondary school student.
According to a statement made available to this medium, applications close Friday, October 23, 2026.
The essay is expected to be handwritten and in not more than 750 words, with applications submitted through the competition’s digital portal, https://www.ubagroup.com/nec/
