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Tag: Accion

  • Accion MfB reaffirms support for customers

    Accion MfB reaffirms support for customers

    Accion Microfinance Bank has restated its readiness to serve its customers better in the 2025 financial year. This commitment was expressed at the bank’s 19th Annual General Meeting held in Lagos.

    It further assured that it will continue to implement  its mission of economically empowering micro-entrepreneurs and low-income earners by providing financial services in a sustainable, ethical and profitable manner.

    The board chairman of the bank, Mr. Christian Ruehmer encouraged the management of the bank to provide quality customer service to make customers feel valued and improve overall performance.

    He said the bank remains strong to double the success of 2024 financial year in 2025.

    The chairman reinforced the banks’ active stance to tackle the economic situation, noting that owing to the current stability in exchange rate and the recent declines in inflation, the difficult phase is over in the Nigerian economy.

     “We are very committed to our strong management and I’m encouraging our team to continue developing our transformation and to really believe in our ability to serve our customers better to build a very strong performance in the year 2025”

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    “As you know in every economy, there is always a crisis and there is always a measure to be taken. Of course, we experienced challenges after the floating of naira and fuel subsidy removal in 2023. It was very painful to the population we are serving, but we have gone from the valley and are growing stronger now”, he declared.

    The Managing Director of the bank, Taiwo Joda, also speaking on the performance of the bank in 2024, noted significant improvement in the financial year after surmounting the challenges that arose from fuel subsidy removal and floating of naira in 2023.

    He explained that even though the bank fell short of its projection for the 2024 financial year largely because it embarked on a rigorous upgrade of its core banking facilities and technology aspect that lasted the whole half of the year, the 2024 financial year was moderately encouraging.

    Joda expressed confidence for a better financial year in 2025, saying the bank has done a 100 per cent of what it did in the whole of 2024.

    “In 2024, we closed with N100 million in Profit Before Tax, and in the first half of this year we are already at N700 million in PBT. So clearly, I see us double our efforts and even go beyond what we did two times over in 2025 compared to 2024”, he projected.

    Emphasizing on the importance of technology in the financial inclusion drive, the bank Chief revealed that the bank has expanded its branches to northern states such as Kwara, Kano, Kaduna and FCT.

    As part of the meeting’s resolutions, Prof. Olayinka David-West was reelected as director and the remunerations of directors were increased to 56million naira  

  • Customer Service Week 2024: Accion MfB appreciates customers

    Customer Service Week 2024: Accion MfB appreciates customers

    Accion Microfinance Bank has concluded a successful Customer Service Week (CSW) 2024.

    The week-long celebration which was held from October 7 – 11 was dedicated to recognizing and appreciating internal and external customers.

    According to a statement from the company, the week started with a splash of colour, as staff dressed in sky blue and navy blue, and every branch was adorned with decorations, setting the stage for a week full of celebration. Customers were greeted with sweet treats each day, standing ovations and warm smiles, a small gesture of gratitude for their continued trust and loyalty.

    The statement reads: “To extend appreciation beyond the physical, CSW wishes were shared digitally via SMS and email, ensuring every customer felt valued. In a special message, the Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Taiwo Joda, recognized the team’s dedication to delivering exceptional service and expressed gratitude to customers for their invaluable support, setting an inspiring tone for the week.

    “A unique highlight of the celebration was senior management stepping into frontline roles, experiencing firsthand the triumphs and challenges of customer service. This immersive initiative allowed management to better understand customer needs, enhancing their empathy and commitment to a customer-centric culture.

    “Customers were encouraged to provide feedback on branch staff performance, with opportunities to win exciting rewards. This feedback was instrumental in recognizing and rewarding outstanding staff who consistently go above and beyond. Additionally, customers with the highest transaction and app usage were rewarded for their engagement with the bank’s services.

    “Internal customers, staff, were also shown appreciation through engaging games, daily dress code fun activities, and team-building activities aimed at boosting morale and encouraging collaboration. In a bid to improve employee wellness, the bank hosted a company-wide Pacer app walking competition, recognising the top three participants with the highest step counts for their dedication to a healthy lifestyle.

    “Staff participated in interactive challenges such as scavenger hunts, Ultimate search and problem-solving activities, which encouraged team engagement. Upcountry staff enjoyed trivia contest, where participants were rewarded with exciting prizes, adding an element of fun across all locations. An old-school dress-down competition day offered staff a chance to showcase creativity and relive nostalgic banking memories, adding a unique twist to the celebration.

    “The week concluded with a company-wide raffle draw, spreading excitement and rewarding lucky customers across the country with attractive prizes. A celebratory cake-cutting event marked the grand finale, bringing the entire organisation together in a memorable and impactful week.
    Accion Microfinance Bank’s Customer Service Week 2024 was a resounding success, underscoring the company’s commitment to customer service excellence. By prioritising the satisfaction of both internal and external customers, Accion MfB has set a new benchmark for industry standards, solidifying its reputation as a leader in customer-centric service.”

  • Accion MfB’s 3-day market storm impacts Ibadan communities

    Accion MfB’s 3-day market storm impacts Ibadan communities

    Accion Microfinance Bank, a leading financial institution dedicated to empowering microentrepreneurs and small business owners, recently organised and completed a three-day market storm in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

    The activation, which took place from September 2nd to 4th, 2024, brought the bank’s products and services directly to the doorsteps of over 4,000 market traders and customers in Dugbe Market, Agbaje Market, and GbayiMarket. The initiative was part of Accion MfB’scomprehensive strategy to support business owners.

    The event was organised by Ifeanyichukwu Anyikwa, Regional Activation Officer, in collaboration with Collins Oboh, Regional Bank Head, and Ini Samuel, Marketing and Design Officer, and supervised by Anita Oguni, the Bank’s Acting Head of Marketing Communications.

    The team, along with other team members, interacted directly with traders and customers, listening to their needs and educating them about Accion MfB’s financial solutions.

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    The Bank also provided traders and market customers with an opportunity to open accounts right at their business locations, giving them the convenience they need to expand and sustain their businesses.

    In addition to the financial services offered, the market storm was infused with vibrant, brand-driven experiences. Dancing competitions energised the event, bringing traders and customers together in a fun and exciting mood. Winners of these competitions received branded rewards, fostering stronger ties between the community and the bank.

    Anita Oguni, Acting Head of Marketing Communications, commented: “The market storm was a highly interactive experience with strong connections and incredible results—boosted visibility and awareness, reached thousands of traders across all three markets, exceeded the set target for generated leads, increased account openings, mobile app downloads, and importantly, positive engagement with existing and potential customers.

    “We are proud to have brought our services closer to those who need them most, and we look forward to continuing to support the growth and conduct more impactful grassroots marketing across other regions.”

    Similarly, Collins Oboh, the Regional Bank Head, was pleased and impressed with the outcome of the bank’s market storm initiative.

    He said: “This initiative highlighted our innovative products, designed to foster business growth and enhance economic and social impact for MSMEs. The market response was overwhelmingly positive in all locations, providing us with valuable feedback. This response not only confirmed our market acceptance but also encouraged us to keep refining our approach.”

    Stephen Olalere, Chief Commercial Officer at Accion MfB, emphasised the bank’s commitment to customer convenience and business growth.

    He said: “We understand the difficulties encountered by these traders and market customers, and we are committed to providing solutions that make their lives easier. By providing on-the-spot account openings during the market storm, we make it possible for them to grow their businesses with options like target savings and loans without going through the rigorous traditional banking processes.

  • Accion MfB’s digital bootcamp equips women for business success

    Accion MfB’s digital bootcamp equips women for business success

    Recognizing the evolving digital landscape and growing importance of social media for business success, Accion MfB recently hosted a successful one-day digital skill bootcamp exclusively tailored for female entrepreneurs.

    The event took place at the Bank’s headquarters in Onipanu, Lagos, providing an enriching experience for the participants from diverse sectors, all eager to enhance their digital skills and propel their businesses to new heights.

    The highlight of the bootcamp was the engaging keynote address delivered by Paul Ehiagbonare, Chief Digital Officer at Accion MfB. Paul captivated the audience with his profound insights and practical strategies for leveraging digital technologies to drive business growth. He addressed key areas such as digital marketing, e-commerce, and enhancing operational efficiency through digital tools.

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    Complementing Paul’s expertise, Anita Oguni, Corporate Branding & Digital Communications Manager at Accion MfB, shared her invaluable insights on social media marketing and content creation. With a focus on leveraging digital channels to expand customer reach, increase brand visibility, and cultivate meaningful engagement, Anita provided the participants with a comprehensive roadmap towards achieving digital marketing success.

    Upon completion of the bootcamp, the participants were presented with certificates of participation from the Bank and gift items as tokens of appreciation for their commitment to continuous learning and growth.

    In reflecting on the transformative impact of the program, Paul reiterated the importance of equipping female entrepreneurs with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate the digital landscape effectively. He expressed his anticipation of witnessing the tangible growth and flourishing of their businesses in the wake of the invaluable insights gained from the bootcamp.

    Accion MfB remains committed to fostering financial inclusion and economic empowerment by providing innovative solutions to help businesses achieve their financial goals.

  • Accion MfB empowers women at leadership thoughts event

    Accion MfB empowers women at leadership thoughts event

    Accion Microfinance Bank, a champion in empowering women, hosted a dynamic and engaging Leadership Thoughts event to mark 2024 International Women’s Day.

    Building on the success of their inaugural event, the Microfinance Bank hosted its second edition of the Leadership Thoughts series on March 13th, 2024. This year’s theme focused on the empowerment of women and fostering of inclusion.

    Setting the tone, the highly respected keynote speaker, Taiwo Joda, Managing Director/CEO of Accion MfB, underscored the bank’s unwavering commitment to gender equality.  “We believe strongly in gender balance,” he declared. 

    A diverse group of female attendees from various sectors shared their inspiring journeys. They spoke candidly about the challenges they faced as women navigating their industries and the strategies they used to achieve success. 

    Some of the attendees gave real-life success stories born from Accion MfB’s commitment to empowering women.

    One of the attendees, a FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) retailer and wholesaler, resonated with the audience.  She said with a smile “Accion Microfinance Bank, with your help, I know that I am going higher.”

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    Another attendee, a passionate businesswoman from the arts industry, echoed her gratitude in the room.  “Thank you so much, Accion,” she beamed, “for supporting me and my business. God bless you.”

    Joda further amplified this moment by highlighting the undeniable power women hold in shaping societies.  With a powerful quote, he declared, “If you can equip a woman, you can equip a nation.”  This emphasized the significance of investing in women’s potential.

    He provided a practical example of Accion MfB’s unique culture, highlighting its approach to build a truly inclusive environment for all staff. This included initiatives like menstrual leave for women experiencing severe menstrual cramps and the availability of free childcare through a crèche. One attendee, particularly interested in women’s health initiatives, applauded the bank at the mention of these initiatives.

    Joda concluded the event by expressing his sincere gratitude to the attendees for their participation, and thoughtfully presented them with gifts.

    This Leadership Thoughts event solidified Accion MfB’s position as a champion for women’s empowerment and leadership excellence.  Their relentless pursuit of progress positions them as a catalyst for positive change.