Ime Akpan
Just like Mariah Carey says “a hero lies in you” in her 1993 R&B song entitled ‘Hero’, Nigeria’s oldest bank, FirstBank Plc is similarly saying there is a ‘Giant’ in every employee, every customer, and every stakeholder – a giant dream, a giant possibility, a giant idea, a giant life, a giant future waiting to be birthed.
With its recent launch of ‘The giant in you’ campaign, the bank is urging its clientele to reach into their heart and soul, come on board and “let’s bring out the Giant in you.”
The bank has been operating in Nigeria for 130 years and the new campaign must have been conceptualized to position FirstBank as a ‘giant’ and ‘future-ready’ institution that is dependable, innovative and proactive in supporting its customers and stakeholders win in the race to the future and be in a position to take advantage of the opportunities and possibilities of the emerging future.
Driven by the conviction that consumers want to turn their big dreams into giant successes, the new campaign reminds the consumer that in today’s world of constant disruptions and integrated experiences, the customer needs a strong, stable and supportive partner, with the appropriate platforms, innovative solutions and networks to not only support their aspirations but also be responsive and adaptive enough to anticipate their needs and empower them to success.
Also driven by the conviction that its clients, even employees, have dreams they are yet to realise, the new campaign reminds them: “We believe that there is a ‘GIANT’ in every employee, every customer, and every stakeholder – a giant dream, a giant possibility, a giant idea, a giant life, a giant future waiting to be birthed.”
It states that the bank’s commitment “is to provide all the necessary business support, financial know-how, growth solutions, channels and platforms to bring out the Giant in You” adding that “we are the partner with the tailored solution for every employee, customer, and stakeholder; we have what is required to turn dreams into giant successes.
Not forgetting that labour creates wealth, the bank has goodies for its employees, customers, and shareholders.
“Employees – We give our staff the best platform and enabling environment to grow, learn and hone their skills, build a flourishing career, and become industry top players – respected, sought-after, financially secure and fulfilled.
“Customers – We enable, inspire and support our customers with our world of financial services to help them giant-size their dreams and live their best life.
“Businesses – We give businesses and business owners the right platforms and solutions they need to grow, initiate and execute bold ideas, break frontiers, expand into new territories and achieve giant successes.
“Shareholders – We provide our shareholders with a platform to expand their portfolios and grow their wealth.”
Speaking during the unveiling of the campaign in Lagos, the head, brand and stakeholder management , Mr Yinka Ijabiyi, explained that FirstBank came up with the new campaign because of its belief that there is a ‘giant’ in every customer, every employee and every stakeholder.
“This campaign was informed by our belief that there is ‘giant’ in every stakeholder a giant dream, a giant possibility, a giant idea, a giant life and a giant future waiting to be birthed.
“Our commitment is therefore to provide all necessary business support, financial know-how and platforms to bring out the giant in every customer,” he said.
Furthermore, he said the campaign was conceptualised by the bank in a bid to show customers in its 130 years that it has been supporting and creating giants and that it has no plan to stop anytime soon.
“We have always done it and the fact we have been around for such a long time means good to everybody as we have been supporting businesses, individuals and government in those years. “We are making giants and there is no business that interacts with us that does not see the benefits in their business. We are making giants in our customers and we will not stop.
“We are the partner with tailored solutions for every customer, employee, and stakeholder. We have what it takes to turn dreams into giant successes. FirstBank’s services are designed to help customers “giant-size” their dreams, offering businesses the platforms and solutions needed to grow, innovate, and achieve remarkable success.” Ijabiyi said.
As the foremost Nigerian financial institution, FirstBank has been recognised by Interswitch as the first financial institution in Nigeria to achieve 100 million sustained monthly transactions in electronic payment and it has hit N1 trillion transactions through the FirstMonie Agent network.
In recognition of its GIANT strides in the financial sector, 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.
