One of the country’s first-generation financial institutions, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc (UBN) has announced that it is ahead of criminals by regular system upgrades.
The lender also said it will maintain a focus on retail banking and support for Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) under its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Emeka Okonkwo.
The Chief Brand & Marketing Officer, UBN, Ogochukwu Ekezie-Ekaidem stated this at an interactive session with senior officials of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc via zoom.
“We are focused on retail banking and SMEs and we will continue to grow brands and offerings that customers need. We are committed to empowering the SMEs segment to enable them to access funds and create values. We are trying to make sure we cluster as many of them to create value. It is important to note that it is not only loans that they require, they ask for other needs like access to market, advisory and others.
“On the banking side, we continued to move forward under the new CEO, we have structured our businesses in a way that gave autonomy to our regions. In this case, we have regional directors that oversee the regions,” Ekezie-Ekaidem said.
She noted that the pandemic has forced Nigerians to embrace digital channels in which the bank has invested much on.
Speaking on rising in cybercrime, she noted that it was a global issue, adding that the more global digitalization, the more the rise in crime.
“What we do is to be ahead of the criminals by upgrading our system regularly. If you hear about cybercrime, know that the system were able to detect it due to its efficiency. We will continue to ensure high level of protection,” she said.
She explained that there has been an increase in customer base following Union Bank nationwide campaign to give away 55 million Naira to new and existing customers in its ‘Save & Win Palli’ promo.
“This is another way the Bank is offering Nigerians some relief (a.k.a. ‘palliative’) from the economic hardship brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and other issues.
“During the promo period which runs from June to December 2021, new and existing customers who save a minimum amount of N10,000 monthly will qualify to win whopping cash rewards and prizes,” she said.
Ekezie-Ekaidem further noted that a total of 350 customers will win N100,000 each in the monthly draws, while six customers will be awarded N1,000,000 each during the quarterly draws.
“The grand finale will take place in December, with one customer winning the grand prize of N5,000,000. An additional 300 customers will win amazing gifts, bringing the total number of winners in the promo to 657,” she added.
Following the retirement of Mr Emeka Emuwa on March 31, 2021, after eight years as the Bank’s CEO, Mr Okonkwo an Executive Director on the Board, and the Head of Union Bank’s Corporate Banking Group, assumed office early this year.
Mr Okonkwo is a seasoned banker with 30 years of experience. As Union Bank embarked on its transformation, he was responsible for rebuilding the business and strategically positioning it for success in the Corporate Banking space.
Credit: tribuneonlineng.com
