Business
Life’s a Lot More Easier with FirstBank Cards
By Eric Elezuo
Like the dynamite, few things in life come in small in packages, but have far reaching benefits and rewards. One of such is the FirstBank range of cards.
The world as we know it today, is a global village, and its connectivity is a at tip of an individual’s finger. That aside, it also revolves round the use of ‘ordinary’ but highly customised cards which FirstBank is first in providing.
For 125 years and counting, FirstBank, Nigeria’s premier bank, with accolades and awards trailing its existence, has continued to blaze the trail in certainly every financial innovation. And as the name signifies, has continued to be the first in virtually everything banking and finance. There is hardly any banking innovation, which is not traced to the company that has overtime woven itself into the very fabric of the society.
FirstBank cards come in a wide range of categories, each fulfilling tasks that are better imagined, but nevertheless are flexible and offers comfort, stressless banking and wholesome peace of mind. It is not therefore, a coincidence that FirstBank is and remains Nigeria’s highest card transacting bank; it is a product of carefully thought out process, hard work and the need to keep its customers first in all things.
The range of cards available to FirstBank include Naira Master Card, Visa Gold and not forgetting Visa Multi-Currency Card.
Otherwise known as NMC, FirstBank’s NAIRA MASTER CARD (NMC) is a class on its own. it comes with automatic increased limits for international transactions in a such a way that customers are at liberty to spend up to $5000 monthly across all channels with a daily ATM cash withdrawal limit of $300. It’s surely a great deal! One wonderful thing about the NMC is there is absolutely no need for BTA/PTA, Business Travelling Allowance and Personal Travelling Allowance respectively.
To enjoy absolute seamless transactions with NMC, customers should endeavour to:
- Change their PIN before travelling out of the country to avoid transaction failures/invalid card.
- Not to swipe their cards on any terminal, rather, should insert card and use their PIN
- Tap with their Naira MasterCard contactless cards to make payments for their transport fares if in the UK.
Other mouth watering offers the NMC provides involves access to seamless airline bookings, especially with Emirates Airlines. The service quick, secure and convenient.
It also offers the Protect Card Transactions feature, which can be activated or deactivated for all types of transaction. This is done by using the Card-in-Control Service on Firstmobile or the USSD option. To achieve this, the customer can only take these few and quick steps below:
Firstmobile: Go to Self Service – Card service and choose card type (debit, credit, or prepaid) to be activated or deactivated.
USSD: Dial *894# – Quick banking – Card management. Customer selects card and appropriate channels to activate or deactivate.
Generally, FirstBank Naira MasterCard is a chip and PIN Debit Card which can be used anywhere in the world. It offers a convenient alternative to the use of cash, and cheques. It can be used to make purchases online, pay bills and access cash at ATMs worldwide. It is a naira denominated card and linked to both current or savings account.
Another card innovation service exclusive to FirstBank is the VISA GOLD CARD, which offers higher daily spending capacity and limit on ATM, POS and WEB. With the VISA GOLD CARD, the customer is assured of $1000 daily ATM withdrawal, $10, 000 POS transaction and $5, 000 on the WEB at only location around the world.
More so, it guarantees access to international emergency services such as Emergency Card Replacement & Emergency Cash Advance in situations where the card gets lost or damaged.
Like the NMC, Visa Gold Card also requires a customer to change PIN before travelling out of the country and avoid swiping cards on any terminal. It also come in handy when making airline bookings with its smooth seamless purchase options.
FirstBank visa gold card is an international premium credit card issued in partnership with visa international. it is a US Dollars denominated credit card and secured by PIN and chip technology
The third among the FirstBank’s super cards is VISA DEBIT MULTI-CURRENCY CARD. It is by all intent and purpose the first of its kind to be offered by any financial institution in Nigeria. Here, customers within and outside the country can enjoy the luxury of having their local and foreign denominated accounts linked to a single Debit card. It is an enhancement to the existing Visa Debit Dual Currency card and can be linked to either or all your NAIRA, USD, EURO and GBP accounts. It is an international card with Chip and PIN technology which can be used to make payment anywhere in the world and across all channels – ATMs, POS & Web. This is unbeatable, and better explains why FirstBank is truly the first.
Among the qualities that make the card thick are:
- Can be used to make purchases online, pay bills and access cash at ATMs worldwide.
- Secured by Chip & PIN technology with a lifespan of 3 years.
- Requires no Cash collateral before issuance.
- Global acceptance on ATM, POS and WEB.
- Additional protection for web-based transactions with “Verified by Visa” (VbV).
With the Visa Debit Multi-Currency card, holders can make daily withdrawals to the tune of N150, 000 (local) and $1, 000 (international) from the ATM.
Also, savings account holders can undertake up to N500, 000 transaction on POS while current has more extensive offer of daily POS transaction of N2, 500, 000. However, this offer comes with $2, 500 for international transactions on same channel.
However, on the WEB, a total of N1, 000, 000 is permitted locally while $6, 250 is allowed on the international corridor daily.
For a brand that has consistently remained on top of its game, FirstBank Cards have received global recognition, as well as being honoured for its down to earth and trusted services.
Among its awards and recognitions are:
- Digital Bank of Distinction, Nigeria” award in the Global Finance Best Digital Banks Awards for two consecutive years, 2016 and 2017.
- Cashless Champion Award of MasterCard International on POS International transactions acquiring. (Q1 2017)
- Interswitch awards (2017) in the following categories:
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- Fastest Mobile Penetration in Africa
- Highest Card Transacting Bank in Nigeria
- Highest Verve Issuing Bank
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- FY 2016, the Bank won awards in the eBusiness category. They are:
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- Asian Banker award for Best Mobile Payment Product for West Africa
- Asian Banker award for Credit Card of the Year for West Africa
- Global Finance Award for ‘Digital Bank of Distinction – Emerging Markets, Africa Category’.
- Q4 2015, the Bank won two awards in the eBusiness category. They are:
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- MasterCard Cardless Champion award for International acceptance across all POS channels
- MasterCard Cardless Champion award for Mobile POS (MPOS) merchant acquisition.
In December 2015 and May 2016, FirstBank was named the first financial institution in the country to achieve sustained alternative channels transaction volumes of 100 million transactions.
FirstBank’s accolades transcend the ordinary!
What are you waiting for? Visit a FirstBank branch today and complete a debit card application form of your choice.
Access Bank Plc, Nigeria’s largest retail bank, is set to unveil DettyFusion, an innovative all-in-one digital platform designed to help Nigerians at home and in the diaspora seamlessly discover, plan, and enjoy entertainment events during the upcoming Christmas and New Year festive season.
Billed as the first-of-its-kind entertainment aggregator in the country, DettyFusion will serve as a centralized hub where users can explore event calendars, purchase tickets, access exclusive discounts, participate in curated festive experiences, and make safe, seamless payments throughout the holiday period.
Speaking on the forthcoming launch, Access Bank’s Head of Mobility, Ishmael Nwokocha, said the platform was inspired by the bank’s commitment to enhancing customer experience during the highly anticipated Detty December season.
“Every December, Nigerians look forward to moments that bring joy, connection, and unforgettable experiences. The launch of DettyFusion will create a single gateway that makes it easier, safer, and more convenient for customers to enjoy the thrills of Detty December,” Nwokocha stated.
He added that the platform reflects Access Bank’s drive to deliver innovative lifestyle solutions that extend beyond traditional banking services. “DettyFusion brings together key features that meet the needs of today’s digitally active and experience-driven audience,” he said.
With this initiative, Access Bank continues to reinforce its position as a leading lifestyle enabler, supporting Nigeria’s creative sector while empowering customers to enjoy top-tier entertainment during the festive season.
With DettyFusion, Detty December just got smarter, more convenient, and even more rewarding.
Across Africa, women are fast becoming the heartbeat of economic transformation. From bustling open-air markets to high-tech boardrooms, women-led enterprises are redefining what is possible for the continent’s future.
Whether as market traders expanding their reach through digital platforms, tech founders scaling innovations across borders, or artisans turning local crafts into global brands, women’s contributions are now central to Africa’s economic resurgence.
Even as they break new ground, many still face formidable barriers. Access to finance, mentorship, business education, and supportive networks remains limited. Structural issues such as weak property rights, gender bias, and inadequate legal protections often hinder women from securing loans or expanding their businesses.
Consequently, many women-owned ventures remain small, informal, and vulnerable to economic shocks.
Recognising both the promise and the obstacles, Access Bank has positioned itself at the forefront of empowering women across the continent. Recently named Africa’s Best Financier for Female Entrepreneurs by the EMEA Finance Awards, the Bank has earned global recognition for its commitment to inclusion, innovation, and sustainable impact.
At the centre of this effort is the W Initiative, one of Africa’s most comprehensive women-focused banking programmes. Unlike conventional banking, it combines finance with mentorship, training, and community support, acknowledging that true empowerment requires more than access to capital. The initiative meets women wherever they are on their entrepreneurial journey, from start-ups to growing enterprises and corporate leadership.
The W Power Loan offers affordable credit with flexible terms, enabling women to invest in expansion, inventory, or technology. The W Academy provides leadership and business training on financial literacy, marketing, and regulatory compliance, while the W Community connects women to peers, mentors, and role models across industries.
Importantly, these offerings extend beyond urban centres. From microloans sustaining traders in rural markets to leadership programmes developing female executives in multinational firms, Access Bank’s approach is deliberately inclusive. By partnering NGOs, business associations, and government agencies, it reaches women in underserved communities, ensuring participation in Africa’s economic rise.
The results are evident. Thousands of women have accessed credit, training, and networks through the Bank’s initiatives, enabling them to launch and scale businesses, create jobs, and uplift their communities. The ripple effects are far-reaching: increased household income, improved family wellbeing, and greater economic resilience. Women who once faced daunting barriers now serve as role models and change-makers, inspiring others to follow their path.
Studies show that when women thrive, societies prosper. The World Bank and African Development Bank note that empowering women fuels GDP growth, improves health outcomes, and enhances social stability. By directly addressing structural gaps in access to finance and information, Access Bank helps to unlock this transformative potential.
Apart from supporting entrepreneurs, Access Bank promotes gender inclusion within its own organisation. Its leadership pipeline identifies and advances talented women, while mentorship and wellness programmes help female professionals thrive. The Bank also uses public platforms, from conferences to policy dialogues, to share success stories and advocate for gender diversity across sectors.
The EMEA Finance recognition thus goes beyond trophies and titles; it affirms that profitability and purpose can coexist. For Access Bank, supporting women’s advancement is smart economics. By embedding inclusion into its DNA, the Bank is shaping a financial ecosystem that views women as equal partners in progress.
Access Bank’s influence also extends into advocacy. Through forums, roundtables, and research collaborations, the Bank engages policymakers, civil society, and business leaders to identify and dismantle barriers facing women entrepreneurs. Its campaigns amplify women’s voices, spotlighting their achievements and driving conversations around inclusive growth.
In another demonstration of its commitment to corporate social responsibility, leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has extended support to residents of the Makoko waterfront community in Lagos with the donation of boats, educational materials, food items and other essential relief items.
The donation was championed by the Achievers Inductees Class of 2025 under the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), the bank’s staff-led CSR initiative where members of staff identify areas of critical interventions in their communities, raise funds and receive matching support from the bank’s management to execute the projects.
Speaking on the donation, Divisional Head, Brand and Communications, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Meksley Nwagboh, reaffirmed the bank’s dedication to supporting communities and fostering sustainable development.
“At Fidelity Bank, we believe that when communities thrive, businesses prosper. Our commitment goes beyond banking, it is about improving lives, supporting education, and creating opportunities for growth. This donation reflects our dedication to nurturing the next generation and contributing to a better, more sustainable future,” He stated.
Expressing appreciation on behalf of the community, the traditional leader of Makoko, Baale Shemede Emmanuel Ajakaekun, commended Fidelity Bank for its compassionate donation.
“We are grateful that Fidelity Bank came down here to support us. May their work continue to flourish, and may God lift them higher. We hope they will not forget us but come back again to support our people,” he said.
Similarly, the Proprietor, Part of Solution Orphanage, Nursery and Primary School, Shemede Taiwo, described the donation as life-changing for the children and residents.
“Many children here struggle to attend school because boats are expensive to build or hire. Fidelity Bank’s donation will make a huge difference in ensuring our children get to school safely and in ensuring the improved welfare of the residents of this community. We truly appreciate this gesture,” Shemede Taiwo said.
Through the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), the bank continues to empower communities across Nigeria by addressing key social issues in education, health, and welfare. The Makoko outreach comes off the back of a similar FHHP outreach to Old People’s Home in Yaba, Lagos, reaffirming Fidelity Bank’s commitment to the sustainable development that begins with genuine care for people and their environment.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
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