FIRSTBANK INTRODUCES THE FIRST HUMANOID ROBOT, REINFORCES ITS COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING INNOVATIVE FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS FOR CUSTOMERS

FirstBank has launched an industry first Humanoid Robot at its Adetokunbo Ademola VI, Lagos Digital Experience Centre (DXC) Branch

The robot is among the phased configuration of the banks state-of-the-art digitally led self-service branch

The Humanoid Robot is equipped with Video Banking and Artificial Intelligence (AI), taking on the role of a friendly branch staff.

In furtherance to its leading role in providing innovative financial solutions in Nigeria, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigerias premier financial institution and leading financial inclusion services provider, has announced the launch of a Humanoid Robot, the first of its kind in the financial services space in Nigeria. The robot is equipped with Video Banking and Artificial Intelligence (AI), taking on the role of a friendly branch staff.

The Humanoid Robot can engage customers in conversations as well as through a touch screen strapped to his chest. The services performed by the robot include responding to customer enquiries on cash deposits, withdrawals and ATM cards. The robot also aids complaint management as customers can log a complaint via QR with feedback generated within the advised time.

The Humanoid Robot also keeps customers up to date with happenings about the Bank, including products launch and upgrades designed to strengthen the customer experience and satisfaction. The robot is a one-stop point to keep customers informed about the Bank. It also effectively manages customers’ accounts.

Expressing his delight at the initiative, Dr Adesola Adeduntan, the CEO of FirstBank Group noted that “the addition of the Humanoid Robot to our state-of-the-art Digital Experience Centre represents a purposeful stride towards transforming the banking landscape in the country and further showcases the priority we give to innovation within the Bank. With its advanced capabilities, the robot is designed to elevate the quality of our customers’ lives in today’s rapidly evolving digital world. Our unwavering dedication to delivering unparalleled banking services remains steadfast, as we leave no stone unturned in innovating to fulfil our customers’ needs. he concluded.

The introduction of the Humanoid Robot is among the phased configuration of the Banks state-of-the-art digitally led self-service branch called Digital Experience Centre, launched in December 2021.

Another Humanoid Robot will also be deployed in the Banks next and second Digital Experience Centre, soon to be announced in the coming months.

About FirstBank

First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank) is the premier Bank in West Africa and the leading financial inclusion services provider in Nigeria for 129 years.

With over 800 business offices across our footprints and over 200,000 Banking Agents spread across 99% of the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria, FirstBank provides a comprehensive range of retail and corporate financial services to serve its over over 41 million customer accounts (including digital wallets) in Nigeria and over 700,000 customer accounts outside the country. The Bank has an international presence with subsidiaries operating in 9 other countries. These subsidiaries are FirstBank (UK) Limited in London and Paris, FirstBank in The Gambia, FirstBank Sierra-Leone, FirstBank in the Republic of Congo, FBNBank in Ghana, FBNBank in Guinea, FBNBank in Senegal as well as a Representative Office in Beijing, China. The Bank is at the forefront of promoting digital banking in the country and has issued over 12 million cards, the first bank to achieve such a milestone. FirstBanks cashless transaction drive extends to having more than 12 million people on its USSD Quick Banking service through the nationally renowned *894# Banking code and over 4.5 million people on the FirstMobile platform. It is, by far, the leader in the number of digital transactions per minute across multiple channels.

FirstBanks commitment to Diversity is shown in its policies, partnerships and initiatives, such as its employees ratio of female to male (about 39%:61%; and 32% women in management) as well as the FirstBank Women Network, an initiative that seeks to address the gender gap and increase the participation of women at all levels within the organization. In addition, the Banks membership of the UN Women is an affirmation of a deliberate policy that is consistent with UN Womens Women Empowerments Principles – Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Nondiscrimination.

Since its establishment in 1894, FirstBank has consistently built relationships with customers focusing on the fundamentals of good corporate governance, strong liquidity, optimised risk management and leadership. Over the years, the Bank has led the financing of private investment in infrastructure development in the Nigerian economy by playing key roles in the Federal Governments privatisation and commercialisation schemes. With its global reach, FirstBank provides prospective investors wishing to explore the vast business opportunities available in Nigeria an internationally competitive world-class brand and a credible financial partner.

For six consecutive years (2011 2016), FirstBank was named Most Valuable Bank Brand in Nigeria by the globally renowned The Banker Magazine of the Financial Times Group and Best Retail Bank in Nigeria eight times in a row, 2011 – 2018, by the Asian Banker International Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards.

Notably, in 2022, the Bank took a long stride on its growth trajectory with the Banks Viability and Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings upgraded to ‘B’ from ‘B-‘ (with Outlooks Stable) by Fitch, a leading global rating agency. This is an indication of the Banks strong internal capital generation and the corresponding recession of its risks to capitalisation. Fitch also upgraded the Banks National Long-Term Ratings to ‘A (nga)’ from ‘BBB (nga)’, to reflect its improved creditworthiness relative to that of other issuers in Nigeria. Furthermore, the Top 100 African Bank rankings 2022 released by The Banker Magazine revealed FirstBanks ranking as number one in Nigeria in terms of Overall Performance, Profitability, Efficiency and Return on Risk.

Other laudable feats in 2022 include FirstBanks international recognitions on major indices by Euromoney Market Leaders, an independent global assessment of the leading financial service providers where FirstBank was crowned:

Market Leader: (tier-1 recognition) in Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR),

Market Leader: (tier -1 recognition) Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG),

Highly Regarded: in Corporate Banking and Digital Solutions,

Notable: in SME Banking.

Also, in 2022 International Finance Magazine named the Bank Most Innovative Banking Product in Nigeria and Best Retail Bank in Nigeria. FirstBank was also awarded Best Corporate Banking Western Africa, 2022 and Best CSR Bank Western Africa, 2022 by Global Banking and Finance Magazine. Other notable awards in FirstBank coffers include: Best Bank in Nigeria by Global Finance magazine – fifteen times in a row; Best Private Bank in Nigeria-2021 awarded by Global Finance magazine; Best Internet Banking Nigeria and Best CSR Bank Africa by International Business Magazine.

In 2023, FirstBank has received notable awards including Best Private Bank for Sustainable Investing in Africa 2023 by Global Finance Awards; Best Sustainable Bank in Nigeria 2023 by International Investors Awards; Best Bespoke Banking Services in Nigeria 2023 by International Investors Awards; Best Financial Inclusion Service Provider in Nigeria 2023 by Digital Banker Africa; and African Bank of the Year by African Leadership Magazine.

Our vision is To be Africas Bank of first choice and our mission is To remain true to our name by providing the best financial services possible. This commitment is anchored on our core values of EPIC – Entrepreneurship, Professionalism, Innovation and Customer-Centricity. Our strategic ambition is To deliver accelerated growth in profitability through customer-led innovation and disciplined execution and our brand promise is always to deliver the ultimate gold standard of value and excellence to position You First in every respect.

Folake Ani-Mumuney

Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications

First Bank of Nigeria Limited