Yemisi Izuora/Ijeoma Agudosi
The Fortis Micro Finance Bank (MFB) currently the largest micro-finance institution in Abuja and the North Central region has been given a national micro-finance banking license, by the apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The Chairman, Fortis MFB, Mr. Felix Achibiri, in a statement assured of the banks determination to reproduce its successes nationwide
He said: “Fortis Microfinance Bank Plc from the onset was clear that it will build a world-class bank of Nigerian origin and with the right workforce that places customers at the heart of all its activities”. “With a national banking license Fortis will be driving the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial inclusion programme across the country by providing financial services to all the states of the federation.
According to him, Our success story over the years will be replicated nationwide and we will also through the use of technology bring banking to the door step of all Nigerians particularly those at the base of the economic pyramid who are either underserved,underbanked or out rightly disenfranchised by the conventional financial service providers”. Fortis MFB Is also the second microfinance bank in the country to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as well as the only microfinance bank to be issued a Mobile Payment license by the CBN.
Achibiri said the bank is partnering and deepening relationships with multilateral companies, government agencies and institutions and Non Governmental Organisations that share the vision of the institution.
“Specifically in order to deepen penetration and bring flexible solutions to our customers we kept fresh our relationships with FMO of Netherlands, Symbiotics of South Africa, African Development Bank, Bank of Industry, Trio dos Bank – Netherlands, USAID, TOTAL E&P, Shelter Afrique, Equator Capital, Cyrano Capital and a host of others still at different stages of discussions and engagements’, he disclosed.