Connect with us

E-Financial

Access Money: How Airtel is Driving Financial Inclusion

Published

on

Kindly share this post

A 2012 Access to Financial Services in Nigeria Survey conducted by Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFINA), an independent financial sector development organisation, indicates that 56.3 million adults, representing 64.1 per cent of the adult population in Nigeria, do not have bank accounts.

The study also revealed that 76.2 per cent of the rural population had no bank accounts. Curiously, it was in that same year, 2012, that leading financial institution, Access Bank, partnered with leading    telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, to develop a mobile money value offering that will not just enhance financial inclusion but also offer Nigerians – regardless of their social status, income level, educational background or location – a convenient and easy outlet to perform financial transactions.

The resolve by the two organizations to transform the mobile money landscape with a big-bang value offering became a reality recently (November 19th, 2014) when the Chief Executive Officers of both companies came together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Mobile Money at a colourful ceremony held at the Eko Hotel & Suites. At the same event, both organizations announced a joint intervention that will help bridge the wide divide between the banked and unbanked population in the country.

Dubbed Access Money, the new product, according to the companies, will help Nigerians who have access to mobile phones to perform financial transactions instantly and with great ease. Even rural dwellers in remote areas will not be left out as Access Money runs on basic handsets without data or Internet features.

Access Money empowers users to perform a wide range of financial activities on their mobile phones, including bill payments, airtime purchase, money transfer, card-less withdrawals from ATM and deposits, among others features, at the dial of *903#. Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, described Access Money as an innovative service that will transform the mobile money domain in Nigeria.

While admitting that the product was not the first Mobile Money value offering in the country, he noted that the service is unique is several ways as it is a result of hardwork, careful design and extensive research, saying the product was deliberately designed to be very simple and user-friendly. 

He noted that through Access Money, Access Bank and Airtel will be providing financial access to more and more people and small businesses; creating an easier channel for the distribution of financial aid; and also making it easier for government to receive taxes and deliver welfare payments.

According to him, Access bank and Airtel agreed to introduce Access Money powered by Airtel, into Nigeria’s financial landscape in line with the Financial Inclusion initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) even as it serves as a platform to bring more and more of the under-banked and unbanked into the world of banking.

“It is something that reaches new groups of people and helps them to build and grow the success stories of tomorrow. And it’s something we are proud to champion with Airtel,” he said.

Wigwe added that Access Bank, in partnership with Airtel has successfully implemented the requisite technology infrastructure, secured the operating license, and conducted extensive pilot operations in different parts of the country in accordance with the requirements of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, stated that the new mobile money offering bears testimony to Airtel’s relentlessness in offering innovative, relevant and practical products and services that positively transform the lives of the people and communities it serves, noting that “at Airtel, it is our tradition to always go the extra-mile to delight and exceed the expectations of our customers.”

Explaining the benefits of Access Money, Ogunsanya said with the service, customers can now buy and share airtime; send money to friends, business associates and loved ones; pay utility bills such as DSTV and PHCN bills; perform mobile banking; withdraw and deposit cash.

“Interestingly, you do not need an Internet-enabled mobile phone to perform all these services. Airtel and Access Bank have made the service very simple, easy to use and user-friendly, empowering millions of people regardless of income level, education, social status and location to benefit from this unique service.”

According to Ogunsanya, Airtel and Access Bank are empowering millions of Nigerians to own a functional bank account in the comfort of their homes and also enabling them to perform financial transactions with their mobile phones from anywhere and at any time. He also assured that Airtel has a robust network to support the Access Money platform.

“At Airtel, we are committed to improving Quality of Services (QoS) and this is evident in our investments in network coverage, quality and capacity. We will also continue to invest in the quality of our network to delight our customers as well as exceed their expectations,” he said.

To access the Access Money powered by Airtel, customers are to dial *903# to get registered and then follow the instructions thereafter to get started.

Customers who wish to make deposits into their Access Money powered by Airtel wallet are provided the option of either approaching any of the authorized agents or walk into any Access Bank branch.

Also any registered Access Money user can transfer funds from their own bank account to any wallet. A notification SMS will be received by all customers as confirmation for transactions performed.

Airtel and Access Bank will be leveraging on their wide distribution networks to leverage Access Money. Ogunsanya said over 1,000 Access Money Agents will be available to kick-start the distribution and ensure availability of the product, assuring that more distributors will be recruited to enhance the value chain.

Access Money is aimed at promoting financial inclusion for those with no access to formal financial services.

This collaboration between Airtel and Access Bank is geared towards deepening financial inclusion and bringing more Nigerians into the formal financial system. It will also serve to support CBN’s financial inclusion target of 80% of Nigerians by 2020.

Erhumu Bayagbon is the Public Relations Manager for Airtel Nigeria


Kindly share this post

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

E-Financial

DLM Trust Unveils DLM Single Asset Trust

Published

on

Kindly share this post

DLM Trust, a subsidiary of DLM Capital Group is thrilled the announce the launch of DLM Single Asset Trust, a variant of the Living Trust construct that allows for a groundbreaking solution for individuals or Corporations seeking to establish single asset trusts for the benefit of themselves and their chosen beneficiaries.

The DLM Single Asset Trust guarantees that people’s assets are protected and managed in accordance with their intentions by operating under the tenets of trust, security, and careful management.

The DLM SAT offers a novel approach to trust services by fusing state-of-the-art technology with knowledgeable advice to enable people and families to effortlessly manage their assets.

DLM SAT enables individuals, often referred to as Settlors or Corporations, to create a single asset trust that will serve both their own and their designated beneficiaries’ purposes.

The Trust Fund may be started using the Settlor’s assets/funds and then expanded with future contributions in accordance with the Settlor’s goals. Only authorised individuals, including the settlor, can access the trust because of its strong independent and confidentiality level.

DLM Trust Company, acting as the designated Trustee, holds the Fund in trust and manages it for the benefit of the Settlor and designated Beneficiaries.

In a statement, MD of DLM Trust, Lola Razaaq commented on the introduction of the DLM Single Asset Trust, stating that it is a means of establishing a timeline for legacy preservation.

“As a game-changer in the trust services industry, the DLM SAT is our newest offering, and we are thrilled to announce this important milestone for DLM Trust.”

The aim of our organisation is to equip people and families with the necessary resources and assistance to safeguard and maintain their heritage for future generations. “Furthermore, we are transforming the concept of future planning with DLM Single Asset Trust.” she said.

DLM Trust Company Limited is registered with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act to provide trust services to individuals, corporations, sub-sovereign entities.

As always, strategic thinking and innovation will be combined by DLM Trust Company to offer its clients best-in-class services. Since its founding, DLM Trust has worked on a variety of creative and unique transactions, including securitizations, private and public bonds.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

E-Financial

UBA Champions Youth Empowerment through Graduate Programme, Employs 398 Across Africa

Published

on

Kindly share this post

United Bank for Africa (UBA), Africa’s Global Bank held the second edition of its expanded Graduate Management Acceleration Programme (GMAP) class of 2024, where 398 young Africans were inducted into the UBA Tribe after a rigorous six-month hands-on-work and learning experience.

The event, which was held in a grand ceremony in Eko Hotel, Lagos on Thursday, was graced by esteemed guests, the UBA management, faculty members, mentors, and the graduating class.

The granduads are from six African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroun, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia.

Addressing the gathering, UBA’s Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, who congratulated all the graduates, expressed profound pride and admiration for their success having completed the intense capacity-building programme, combining learning with on-the-job training experience, garnered while rotating across several departments and units in the bank.

Elumelu took time to highlight the bank’s passion for youth empowerment in Africa, while bridging the unemployment gap, which according to him, remains one of the greatest challenges of the continent.

“For me these young UBA Graduates are a testament to who we are: a truly pan-African Group, that invests in African talent.This milestone is more than just numbers. It signifies UBA’s commitment to youth empowerment. Unemployment is the greatest challenge we face – a tragic and cruel betrayal of a generation. We know governments alone cannot create all the jobs we need – so it is up to us, the African private sector, to partner our government in improving lives and livelihoods. This is Africapitalism, and it is gratifying to see UBA play its part. UBA is dedicated to creating a positive impact, through the GMAP programme UBA is creating employment, boosting economic growth, and transforming lives across Africa,” Group Chairman said.

Continuing, he said, “At UBA, identifying these young ones, bringing them to the centre, training them, equipping them for the future and the task ahead, not just for a career in UBA, but wherever they end up remains our passion, because this is how we play our role as a Pan-African bank, in helping to empower the next generation, which is the African youth. We are helping to create employment and this for us is our driving force.”

Earlier in his speech, UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, commended the graduating class for their unwavering commitment and emphasized the program’s role in cultivating the next generation of UBA leaders.

“Your dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment have been nothing short of inspiring. Each of you has demonstrated the qualities of a true UBA ambassador, and today, we celebrate not just your achievements but also the collective strength of our UBA family.

While recognizing the invaluable support extended by families and friends, the GMD said, “Let us take a moment to express our deepest appreciation for their steadfast support as the invaluable support of your families and friends throughout this journey. Their love, encouragement, and understanding have undoubtedly played a pivotal role in your success.”

UBA’s Group Head, Human Resources, Modupe Akindele, said the bank remains committed to nurturing talent and leadership within the organisation. She noted that the GMAP programme, which marked its second graduation will be a continuous initiative, as it culminates an intensive journey towards leadership excellence.

“Already, the programme has graduated over 1,100 graduates, that is about 700 in 2023 and now we have 398 graduates. The fact remains that at UBA, we believe in equal opportunity for all, regardless of age, tribe, gender, or background; and so, we will continue to pursue our dream to nurture these young ones to their full potential,” she added.

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than twenty-five million customers, across over 1,000 business offices and customer touch points, in 20 African countries and across 4 continents.

With presence in the United States of America, the United Kingdom and France and more recently the United Arab Emirates, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail; commercial and corporate banking; innovative cross-border payments and remittances; trade finance and ancillary banking services.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

E-Financial

Banks to Charge 0.375 Percent Stamp Duty on Loans

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Nigerian banks on Thursday announced that they will kick-start the implementation of the stamp duty charge of 0.375 per cent on loans backed by legal mortgages, shares, debentures or bonds.

Banks to Charge 0.375 Percent Stamp Duty on Loans

This is coming after the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had directed banks to implement stamp duty on certain transactions that requires duty payments such as contracts and legal mortgages.

According to the FIRS, as the manner of business transactions continue to evolve and change pattern, the law on stamp duties will also change. It noted that the stamp duties has therefore undergone several amendments over the years up to the Finance Act 2019.

Stamp duty is essentially a duty chargeable on both physical and electronic instruments. The stamp duties Act defines duty to mean “any stamp duty for the time being chargeable under any act and also includes any fee chargeable hereunder”.

In several email notifications sent to its customers, banks revealed that they will start implementing the FIRS directive while adding that the charge will be applied to the value of the assets and remitted back to the revenue office.

Access Bank in an email notification titled to its customers, “Stamp Duty Automation Update”, said, “We will like to inform you that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has directed all Nigerian banks to implement stamp duty on certain transactions that require duty payments such as contracts and legal mortgages”.

The bank noted that in compliance to this directive, it have taken measures to streamline the process to make transactions more convenient for its customers.

“To this end, a stamp duty charge of 0.375 per cent will be applied to loans backed by legal mortgages, shares, debentures or bonds. The charge will be applied on the value of legal mortgages, shares, debentures or bonds and remitted to the FIRS”, the bank said.

Access Bank added that all previously approved loans will remain unchanged and should be repaid in full as per the agreed terms and conditions.

“We are committed to providing you with exceptional service”, it said.

It will be recalled that the Federal Government stated it is looking to expand net on transactions covered by the stamp duty charges from regular bank transfers.

 

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending