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

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FirstBank has launched an industry first Humanoid Robot at its Adetokunbo Ademola VI, Lagos Digital Experience Centre (DXC) BranchThe robot is among the phased configuration of the bank’s 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, Nigeria’s 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 Bank’s 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 Bank’s 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. FirstBank’s 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. FirstBank’s 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 Bank’s membership of the UN Women is an affirmation of a deliberate policy that is consistent with UN Women’s Women Empowerment’s 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 Government’s 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 Bank’s 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 Bank’s strong internal capital generation and the corresponding recession of its risks to capitalisation. Fitch also upgraded the Bank’s 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 FirstBank’s ranking as number one in Nigeria in terms of Overall Performance, Profitability, Efficiency and Return on Risk. Other laudable feats in 2022 include FirstBank’s 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 Africa’s 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.

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FirstBank Retains Top Spot as Nigeria’s Best Bank for ESG At 2025 Euromoney Awards

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 FirstBank, the West African premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider, has emerged as Nigeria’s Best Bank for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) at the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025, held recently in London. This marks FirstBank’s second consecutive win in the ESG category, affirming its leadership in sustainable finance and responsible banking across Nigeria.

The Euromoney Awards for Excellence are regarded as one of the most coveted accolades in the global financial industry. The highly competitive selection process involves rigorous analysis and assessment, measuring performance against strategic and impact-oriented criteria.

The Bank earned the award through its deepened sustainability commitments embedded across its operations and community initiatives. In 2024, FirstBank screened 237 transactions worth over ₦3 trillion for sustainability risks, integrating ESG considerations into its credit framework.

Among its flagship sustainability initiatives, FirstBank commenced a tree planting campaign in partnership with Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), planting over 30,000 trees in 16 locations across Nigeria. This was the first phase of its 50,000-tree initiative, projected to absorb approximately 720 tonnes of CO₂ by the end of 2025, contributing to climate resilience and supporting biodiversity preservation.

FirstBank has been proactive in gender inclusion through the Gender Market Strategy, disbursing over ₦43 billion FirstGem loans to women-led businesses in 2024. The Bank’s commitment to inclusive banking saw a significant increase in the worth of transactions facilitated by FirstMonie agents to over ₦9 trillion.

The Bank prioritises ESG/sustainability capacity building, evidenced by the training of over 9000 employees, and its webinars and workshops reaching over 2,000 SMEs and corporates. The bank’s investment in leadership for over 2,000 female employees through the FirstBank Women Network has demonstrated a dedicated structural commitment to cultivating a knowledgeable and diverse workforce catering to the dynamic ESG landscape.

Commenting on the award, the Chief Risk Officer of the Bank as well as the Chairman of the FirstBank Sustainability Committee, Patrick Akhidenor said, “We are honoured to receive this prestigious award for the second time in a row, which is a validation of our efforts to create a sustainable and inclusive future for all our stakeholders. Our approach to sustainability is hinged on three pillars: education, health and welfare; diversity and financial inclusion; responsible lending, procurement and climate initiatives”

He added: “We remain focused on driving impact through purposeful initiatives and inclusive growth, ensuring that our ESG efforts continue to create meaningful change in communities across Nigeria and beyond.”

The continued success in ESG and sustainability is driven by FirstBank’s vision to be Africa’s bank of first choice, leading with purpose, responsibility, and innovation.

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ZENITH BANK EMERGES NIGERIA’S BEST BANK AT EUROMONEY AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 2025

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  • Photo © 2025 – ASV Photography Ltd.
    www.ASVphotos.com

    ZenithBankPlchasbeennamed“Nigeria’sBestBank”attheEuromoneyAwardsfor
    Excellence2025,emergingasNigeria’sstandoutperformer,andclinchingthebiggestand
    most coveted country award. The award, which was presented to the bank on Thursday, July
    17,2025atThePeninsula,London,isatestament to its commitment to delivering exceptional
    banking services, innovative products and superior value to its customers and shareholders.
    Euromoney’s Awards for Excellence are one of the most highly coveted awards that matter to
    banksandbankerswhomatter.TheannualAwardsforExcellencecelebratesfinancial
    institutions that demonstrate leadership, innovation, and resilience in their markets, with this
    year’seditionseeingarecordnumberofover770entriesfromworldclassfinancial
    institutionsincludingHSBC,MorganStanley,CitiBank,Barclays,StandardBankand
    Development Bank of Singapore (DBS), amongst others.
    Commenting on the award, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc,
    Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON said, “We are absolutely thrilled to be recognized as Nigeria’s
    BestBankbyEuromoney.Thisawardisnotjustatestamenttoourrelentlesspursuitof
    excellence, but also a validation of the unwavering trust and confidence our customers have
    placed in us. We are once again reminded that our success is not just about us, but about the
    impact we continue to have on the financial ecosystem. We will continue to work tirelessly to
    supportthegrowthanddevelopmentofoureconomyandupholdthehigheststandardsof
    governance, integrity and transparency that has earned us this recognition”.
    She dedicated the award to Zenith Bank’s customers across the globe for their loyalty, and to
    the Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR, for his visionary leadership and commitment to
    excellencewhichformedthefoundationforthebank’ssuccesses.Shealsothankedthe
    Boardfortheirguidance,aswellasthestafffortheirunwaveringdedicationtobuildinga
    formidable and best in class global financial institution that will outlive generations.
    ZenithBank’strackrecordofexcellentperformancehascontinuedtoearnthebrand
    numerous awards including being recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1
    Capitalforthesixteenthconsecutiveyearinthe2025Top1000WorldBanksRanking,
    publishedbyTheBanker.TheBankwasalsoawardedBankoftheYear(Nigeria)inThe
    Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards for 2020, 2022 and 2024; Best Bank in Nigeria from 2020
    to2022, 2024and 2025,inthe GlobalFinance World’sBestBanks Awards;Best Bankfor
    DigitalSolutionsinNigeriaintheEuromoneyAwards2023;andwaslistedintheWorld
    Finance Top 100 Global Companies in 2023.
    Further recognitions include Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria for five consecutive years from
    2021 to 2025 in the World Finance Banking Awards and Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the
    InternationalBanker2023and2024BankingAwards.Additionally,ZenithBankhasbeen
  • acknowledgedastheBestCorporateGovernanceBank,Nigeria,intheWorldFinance
    CorporateGovernanceAwardsforfourconsecutiveyearsfrom2022to2025and‘Bestin
    CorporateGovernance’FinancialServices’Africaforfourconsecutiveyearsfrom2020to
    2023 by the Ethical Boardroom.
    The Bank’s commitment to excellence saw it being named the Most Valuable Banking Brand
    inNigeria inThe Banker’sTop 500Banking Brandsfor 2020 and 2021,Bank ofthe Year 2023
    and2024attheBusinessDayBanksandOtherFinancialInstitutions(BAFI)Awards,and
    Retail Bank of the Yearfor three consecutive years from2020 to 2022 and in2024 at the BAFI
    Awards. The Bank also received the accolades of Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best
    Innovation in Retail Banking, Nigeria, in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards.
    ZenithBankwasalsonamedMostResponsibleOrganisationinAfrica,BestCompanyin
    TransparencyandReportingandBestCompanyinGenderEqualityandWomen
    Empowerment atthe SERAS CSRAwards Africa 2024;Bank of theYear 2024by ThisDay
    Newspaper; Bank of the Year 2024 by New Telegraph Newspaper; and Best in MSME Trade
    Finance,2023byNairametrics.TheBank’sHybridOfferwasalsoadjudged‘RightsIssue/
    Public Offer of the Year’ at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards 2025
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FIRSTBANK MARKS SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE: ₦1 TRILLION IN INSTANT DIGITAL LOAN DISBURSEMENTS

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 FirstBank, a leading financial institution and provider of financial inclusion services in West Africa, announces the achievement of ₦1 trillion in cumulative instant digital loan disbursements. This accomplishment further consolidates the Bank’s reputation for innovation, leadership in financial inclusion, and commitment to customer empowerment within.

Since its inaugural digital loan in August 2019, FirstBank has developed an unconventional and robust digital lending ecosystem designed with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, to improve access to finance, especially to the high-risk customer segment. The Bank created a multi- channel loan disbursement service that requires no collaterals, zero documentation and is void of human interactions. Through its FirstAdvance, FirstCredit and AgentCredit products, 1.5 million unique borrowers enjoyed instant and secure access to credit. This is irrespective of whether they are salary earners, non-salary earners, or micro business owners. They also have the convenient options of accessing these loans through platforms such as *894# (FirstBank’s USSD service), FirstMobile, LitApp and the FirstMonie Agent App.

Regarding this milestone, Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, e-Business & Retail Products at FirstBank, stated: “This success underscores our ongoing commitment to innovation and a customer-focused approach, which are central to FirstBank’s core values. Beyond achieving substantial figures, we remain dedicated to fostering opportunities for financial independence across Nigeria in particular, and in Africa at large.’’

He added, “We value the trust our customers place in us to support their financial aspirations. Our efforts to advance digital lending will persist, especially to the excluded and underserved customer segments, while effectively managing risks in the process.”

FirstBank currently disburses about N1 Billion daily in digital loans, demonstrating its commitment to fostering an inclusive, technology-driven future for Nigerians. By consistently investing in advanced technologies and developing customised financial solutions, the Bank seeks to improve the financial well-being of individuals and businesses across the nation.

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