The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Keystone Bank Limited

  • Keystone Bank MD quits

    Keystone Bank Limited has announced the resignation of Obeahon Ohiwerei from office as Managing Director/CEO of the bank. The board of Keystone Bank has immediately appointed Abubakar Danlami Sule as Acting Managing Director/CEO.

    Sule’s appointment is subject to approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    A statement from the Bank disclosed that Ohiwerei is leaving to pursue other personal interests. The statement further added that the Board recognized and appreciated Mr. Obeahon’s immense contributions to the growth of Keystone Bank and the visibility the Bank had attained as a brand in the past eighteen months.

    Sule is a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria with degree in Accounting. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria; an Honourary Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria; a Governing Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria; and an Alumni of both the INSEAD (France) and Wharton Business School in Pennsylvania, USA. He was until his appointment as Acting MD/CEO, the Deputy Managing Director of Keystone Bank Limited.

    Read Also: Keystone Bank floats zero data mobile App

    Sule has over 29 years of cutting-edge banking experience with competences in Corporate Banking, Operations, Treasury Management, Credit Structuring, Corporate Planning, as well as possession of very strong relationship management skills.

    Sule had also served briefly as the Managing Director of Sterling Capital Limited, the Investment Banking Subsidiary of Sterling Bank Plc in 2009. While at Sterling Capital Limited, he was appointed by the CBN as part of the Executive Management team to turnaround the fortunes of erstwhile Intercontinental Bank Plc. He eventually returned to Sterling Bank Plc as Executive Director in charge of the North and Corporate Banking. He also worked briefly in Standard Chartered Bank Limited before he joined Keystone Bank.

    The Board of Keystone Bank has enjoined Management and Staff of Keystone Bank to join hands with the Acting MD/CEO to build Keystone Bank into a brand that all its stakeholders will be proud of

     

     

  • Agency banking: Keystone Bank, NIPOST partner

    Keystone Bank Limited yesterday launched ‘KeyServ’, an Agency Banking Proposition to serve customers outside its conventional brick and mortar mode of banking.

    The initiative, which is in partnership with Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) and i-OneC, a financial technology firm, is in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) Financial System Strategy (FSS 2020) goals to increase financial inclusion uptake in Nigeria.

    According to the Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Keystone Bank Limited, Obeahon Ohiwerei: “Enabling Financial Inclusion is our core area of focus and we have partnered with other industry players to deploy Digital Financial Solutions/ Platforms for improved access to finance; leveraging data to improve the product offerings, personalised and predictive customer service, and uncovering new customer segments”.

    The recent reports on adult Nigerians, according to Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA), is that 40.1 million is financially excluded. That represents 41.6 per cent of 96.4 million adults. “To this end, we are partnering with NIPOST and i-OneC to offer financial inclusion services to un(der)banked Nigerians especially in the rural and less urban areas.”

    Under this partnership, KeyServ (Keystone Agency Banking Services) offers services such as account opening, bills payment, cash-in, cash-out, Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Services, fund transfers, balance enquiries, ATM cash withdrawals, mini statements and a whole lot more.

    “One landmark feature of KeyServ (Keystone Agency Banking Services) is that it offers affordable access to financial services than the traditional banking methods” Ohiwerei reiterated.

    Also, speaking at the launch, the Executive Director Corporate Banking & South, Keystone Bank, Yemi Odusanya, added that “with this scheme, customers, especially in the rural areas will enjoy unfettered access to banking services.

    As at today, we have about 106 approved agents across the country and already, the services are available at Sabongida-Ora (Evbiobe)-Edo State,  Sabon Gari (Kano), Mirinjibi (Kaduna), Barnawa (Kaduna), Yaba (Lagos) and Ikoyi (Lagos)”.

    It’s simply convenient, affordable and several NIPOST locations nationwide have been earmarked to feature actively in this initiative. Nigerians now have the opportunity to take full advantage of this partnership to enjoy the bouquet of financial services across the country.

  • Keystone bank supports educational development in Lagos school

    Keystone bank supports educational development in Lagos school

    In keeping with its commitment to promote qualitative education and sustainable development in Nigeria, Keystone Bank Limited, has handed over a renovated and fully equipped Sick Bay to Dodan Barracks Primary School, Obalende, Lagos to manage remote health challenges of the students.
    Speaking on the lender’s passion for investment in the education sector at the commissioning ceremony, the Divisional Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications of Keystone Bank, Mrs. Omobolanle Osotule said that the intervention is aimed at supporting the school to further improve the learning and teaching environment, thereby raising the standard of education in the country.
    Osotule said: “As a bank that is committed to the development of Nigerian youths, Keystone Bank recognises education as the bedrock of sustainable development, which is why education is one of our core CSR pillars.”
    “As much as education is an essential aspect of the development of any society, it is also important that children have easy access to first level healthcare while at school”.
    “The initiative is part of the bank’s overall strategy to create a sustainable impact around healthcare, education, youth/women empowerment and employee volunteering. We shall continue to do more in this regard.” Osotule stressed.
    In his response, the head teacher of the school, Mr Kayode Edun, thanked the Bank for the kind gesture. “We truly appreciate the efforts of Keystone Bank in giving the school’s sick bay a new lease of life. It is our prayer that the bank will continue to grow from strength to strength; and as progress is made, more initiatives like this will be implemented”, Edun said.
    Keystone Bank, a technology and service-driven commercial bank offering convenient and reliable solutions to its customers has been at the forefront of various educational and Women/Youth empowerment initiatives in recent times.
    The lender recently partnered with the Junior Achievers Nigeria ( JAN ), spearheading efforts in the furtherance of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial literacy drive by teaching children across the country on financial education/Independence.
  • Keystone Bank launches new service number for customers

    Keystone Bank launches new service number for customers

    In line with its goal to provide quality service to its customers, Keystone Bank Limited has introduced a new SMART number, for customer support.

    Launched earlier September, the smart number – 0700 2000 3000 Contact Centre eliminates the need for customers to remember multiple numbers while removing the uncertainty as to which of the lines are actively engaged.

    Speaking on the development, the Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Obeahon Ohiwerei said: “The launch of our 0700 2000 3000 Contact Centre easily memorable number opens up the communication channel with the Bank. It’s is available 24 hours round the clock.

    He further stated that, the new SMART number will improve customer service relationship as the number connects on a first dial, and allows multiple calls simultaneously.

    “As a financial institution, the customer is at the core of our business and this novelty is in keeping with the brand values of service, professionalism and innovation which is an integral part of our ethos”.

    “Sequel to the divestment of the bank earlier in the year, this is one of the many steps we are taking to engage with our customers effectively.

    It is indeed a new beginning for Keystone Bank,” Ohiwerei stated.

  • Keystone Bank launches *533# Convenient Banking Platform

    Keystone Bank launches *533# Convenient Banking Platform

    In keeping with its promise to make financial services easy and accessible to its teeming customers, Keystone Bank Limited on Monday July 31, 2017 launched another innovative mobile channel enabled by dialing *533# within Nigeria.

    According to the bank’s Divisional Head, E-Business Channels, Mr. Ernest Obi, the USSD code *533# platform will enable Keystone Bank customers to conveniently perform third party transfers to both Keystone Bank and other bank account holders in Nigeria, open Keystone Bank accounts, buy airtime, pay bills and access a mini statement such as balance enquiry using their mobile phones without necessarily having internet data or airtime.

    “The Keystone Bank *533# USSD application is a convenient, reliable, fast, secure, and affordable way to access your Keystone bank account 24/7 through mobile phones without internet data. It works on all phone types.

    “To initiate transfers to a Keystone Bank account and beneficiaries in other banks, simply dial *533*Amount*NUBAN Account No# from the mobile number registered with the bank. Also, you can top-up your airtime by dial *533*Amount# and third-party top-up can be done by dialing *533*Amount*Phone number#. Customers will then require the four digits PIN created at registration to authenticate each transaction”. Mr. Obi noted.

    In his remarks, Keystone Bank’s Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Hafiz Bakare, stated: “Following the successful divestment of AMCON’s shareholding in Keystone Bank which culminated in the change in ownership and management, the bank has witnessed series of positive developments.

    “The *533# product is Keystone Bank’s solution to facilitate customers’ access to their accounts at anytime of the day. Our *533# makes it possible for a Keystone Bank account to be viewed and transacted upon using any type of functional phone.

    “The launch of this product demonstrates our culture of service excellence, strengthening the emotional bond with our existing customers while reinforcing the Keystone brand as one to be associated with by the entire banking public.

    “Our internet banking is accessible on any internet enabled device while our mobile app is available on the Blackberry, Apple and Android stores. These services are enjoyed by the about 90 Million internet users in the country (according to the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC) representing almost 50% penetration of the population.” He said.

    The bank’s Chief further disclosed that the lender will definitely witness more landmark events which would be communicated when it is auspicious as it moves ahead with its transition. He stressed the importance of remaining focused whilst relying on communication through proper channels as the transition progresses and the Bank awaits CBN approval of the full complement of a substantive board and management.

    Keystone Bank is a technology and service-driven commercial bank offering convenient and reliable solutions to its customers.

  • Children’s Day: Keystone Bank, JAN celebrates with 500 Pupils

    Children’s Day: Keystone Bank, JAN celebrates with 500 Pupils

    As part of the 2017 Children’s Day celebrations, Keystone Bank Limited partnered Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) in conjunction with Uber to host 500 pupils in Lagos State.

    The event which held on Thursday May 25, 2017 had participants from Federal Housing Estate Primary School, Victoria Island Primary School, Awoyaya Primary School and Ansarudeen Primary School.

    All 500 pupils are beneficiaries of Junior Achievement Nigeria’s ‘More Than Money’ scheme, a financial literacy programme which empowers primary 4, 5 and 6 pupils to cultivate better saving and spending habits and also help in the development of soft skills such as commitment, consistency, prioritizing and contentment. The event, which transformed the schools’ compound into fun wonderlands for a day, included food, games, activities and gifts from the sponsors.

    In his remarks, Keystone Bank’s Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Hafiz Bakare, stated, “We admire the impact that JAN is creating in the lives of these children which will set them up for a successful future, so we are very proud to get the kids out of the classroom and have some fun.

    Mrs. Simi Nwogugu, Executive Director, Junior Achievement Nigeria said: “We decided to celebrate Children’s Day this year with some of our elementary school students who are so hardworking and intelligent, but who do not often get a chance to be celebrated in this way.  We thank our sponsors, Keystone Bank and Uber for making this possible.”

    Keystone Bank is a technology and service-driven commercial bank offering convenient and reliable solutions to its customers.

     

  • Keystone bank revamps branches

    Keystone bank revamps branches

    On the heels of the announcement of the successful sale of Keystone Bank Limited and the promise of the new investors to take active steps towards turning around its operations in order to become more competitive in the sector, it appears the management of the Bank has proceeded on a drive to give a face-lift to its various branches across the country as part of the post- divestment repositioning.

    Our checks with some of the Bank’s customers across the country revealed that a large spectrum of the customers see this as a welcome development laying credence to the earlier statement from the Bank that the new management of the bank will bring about a transformation which will not only be felt by the staff and customers of the bank through the quality of services, but one that also will be tangible.

    A lot of the branches have come alive with a new look and the staff now carry out their duties with a lot of confidence.

    Many industry experts also believe that this will further engender a positive perception of the brand in the minds of its stakeholders.

    Recall that on the 23rd of March 2017, AMCON successfully divested the assets of Keystone Bank Limited and formally handed the Bank over to the Sigma Golf-Riverbank Consortium.

    These new owners appear to be moving confidently in line with their plans to reposition the Bank effectively in the industry having followed due process by fulfilling all the necessary regulatory and legal approvals through a transparent process that has been hailed by industry watchers, investment analysts and discerning minds.

    It will also be recalled that the process was anchored by a crack team of transaction and legal advisers including KPMG Professional Services, FBN Capital Limited, Citi Bank Nigeria Limited, Giwa Osagie & Co., Banwo & Ighodalo amongst others.

    This, we discovered is quite reassuring to the customers and has bolstered their confidence in the financial institution as it embarks on its transformation.