Category: Featured

Anyone who has tried to get a loan to buy a house in Nigeria knows the drill: endless forms, property valuation, and eventual down payment of a minimum 25% or more on the property. Sometimes, interest rates could go as high as 30% per annum, while the typical loan limit is N50 million. Now, FirstBank is making homeownership more attractive. FirstBank, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), has introduced the MREIF Home Loan. MREIF loan is a game-changer, offering a single-digit interest rate of 9.75% per annum,…

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As the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recapitaliSation exercise came to an end March 31, 2026, most banks operating in the country rose to the challenge and met the requirement ahead of time. However, Fidelity Bank’s proactive approach paid off, and it continued to demonstrate its commitment to growth and innovation. In a remarkable display of investor confidence, Fidelity Bank opened and concluded a private placement in just one day on December 31, 2025. Leading institutions, including AFREXIM Bank and its subsidiaries, invested in the bank, showcasing their faith in…

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Nigeria’s digital banking revolution is raising the stakes for consumer trust. The question is whether the industry is rising to meet them. Nigeria’s relationship with digital banking has changed almost beyond recognition in a decade. Where cash once dominated every transaction, from the roadside market to the corporate boardroom, mobile apps, instant transfers and USSD codes have reshaped how tens of millions of Nigerians interact with their money every single day. The figures speak for themselves: point-of-sale transactions surged to a record N18 trillion in 2024, a 69 per cent…

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By Vivian Imoh-Ita Investing in Women-Led Enterprises Is a Growth Strategy Nigeria Can’t Afford to Delay Across African banking, the conversation is shifting from “inclusion as intent” to “inclusion as performance.” Margin pressure, recapitalisation conversations, digitisation, and tighter risk expectations are forcing a hard question: where will sustainable, low-volatility growth come from in the next cycle? One answer is hiding in plain sight: women-led enterprises, underfunded, underserved, and consistently productive. In Nigeria’s informal economy, where cash flow is real but documentation is uneven, the institutions that win will be the…

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FirstBank’s MREIF mortgage loan product is an opportunity waiting for Nigerians to grab, as FirstBank, Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) partner to bridge housing deficit and empower citizens with credit to own their own homes of choice in any 36 states of the federation including Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This laudable initiative considers the importance of shelter to Nigerian citizens especially low and middle income earners that have to save for years before they can build for themselves. It aims at delivering homes to those who would apply without stress,…

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How FirstBank is quietly Rewriting Nigeria’s Homeownership Story The dream by Nigerians of homeownership is taking a bold new turn and those who move early will gain the most. Through a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF), First Bank of Nigeria Limited is unlocking access to one of the most affordable mortgage windows currently available in the country. Backed by a N1 trillion MREIF fund designed to bridge Nigeria’s housing deficit, the initiative empowers Nigerians with long-term, low-cost credit to own their homes,…

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Sustainability has become a critical priority for businesses and governments across the world, driving growth, innovation, and positive change. As the world grapples with climate change, social inequality, and economic uncertainty, organisations are recognising the importance of adopting sustainable practices that balance Environmental, Social, and Governance considerations. In Nigeria, the sustainability agenda has become a mainstay, with companies like FirstBank leading the charge. As the leading financial institution in West Africa, FirstBank has made significant strides in promoting sustainability/ESG, with notable achievements in renewable energy, financial inclusion, and environmental conservation.…

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First HoldCo Plc has announced its unaudited financial results for the year ended 31 December 2025, reflecting a year of deliberate strategic actions aimed at strengthening its balance sheet, improving asset quality, and positioning the business for more resilient and sustainable growth amidst successful capital raise activities. As stated in the unaudited Group financial statement, FirstHoldCo recorded a 4.8% year-on-year (y-o-y) increase in its Gross earnings to N3.4 trillion, supported by a 36.3% y-o-y growth in net interest income of N1.9 trillion on the back of enhanced earnings yield and…

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