Top lender Fidelity Bank Plc, Nigeria’s fastest growing bank has been
recognised for its efforts at growing the economy particularly its
supporting the real sector The bank received 2 awards to the effect at
the 11th Annual Bankers’ Committee Retreat which held at Ogere, Ogun
State at the weekend. The awards were bestowed on the bank for its
leadership role in the ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s
agricultural value-chain as well as its staunch commitment to promoting
women economic empowerment.
Organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the two-day retreat was
themed “Delivering Inclusive Growth: Leveraging Digital Finance” and
brought together Chief Executives of Commercial Banks and other
stakeholders in the financial services industry to articulate and
strategise on initiatives for economic development and specific growth
imperatives of the financial system.
The bank emerged winner in two categories, securing second place in the
‘Sustainable Agricultural Transaction of the Year Award,’ and third
position as the ‘Best Bank in 2019 in Women Economic Empowerment.’
Fidelity Bank won the award on Sustainable Agricultural Transaction, for
its compliance with the sustainable banking principles as mandated by
the regulator of the financial services industry.
On the other hand, the bank’s sustained focus on economic empowerment
and SME funding, which led to its increased support for female
businesses, made it to win the award on Women Economic Empowerment.
The Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, CBN, Dr. Joseph Nnanna, presented
the awards to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity
Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo.
Okonkwo, who attributed the awards to the support of the board,
management and entire staff of the bank, pointed out that the
initiatives being implemented by the lender particularly as it relates
to growing the agriculture and non-oil exports sector were yielding the
desired result, hence this recognition.
He stated that the lender has provided finance in excess of N50 billion
for farm start-up, expansion and consolidation, among others. According
to him, Fidelity remains one of the leading disbursement banks of the
CBN Commercial Agric. Credit Scheme (CACS). “Over N20 billion has been
disbursed to by the bank, resulting in employment generation and
economic growth”, he stated.
Okonkwo promised that the bank would not relent in its efforts to
improve access to capital, provide technical assistance, and invest in
projects that support women and women-led SMEs, in line with CBN’s
financial inclusion policy. “Research have shown that increasing women’s
participation in the economy would boost economic output and benefit
generations to come” he explained further.
Fidelity Bank is a full-fledged commercial bank operating in Nigeria
with over 5 million customers that are serviced across its 250 business
offices and various digital banking channels.
The bank focuses on select niche corporate banking sectors as well as
Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and its currently driving its
retail banking businesses through its robust digital banking channels.