INTERNATIONAL TRADE BUSINESS: FCMB ORGANISES CUSTOMERS IN A FORUM

Leading financial services provider, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, is organising a series of customer fora across the country for international trade business stakeholders. The first of its kind and themed,” Taking Customers Trade Business to the Next Level,” the International Trade Business customer forum will take place on September 11, 2014 in Lagos.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde, will be the Guest Speaker at the forum and he is to speak on the topic, ‘’Pre-arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) – Challenges: Present and Future’’.

The FCMB customers’ forum is aimed at further sensitising stakeholders in international trade business and on the maritime industry. It will focus on the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) scheme, which was introduced by the Nigerian Customs Service in 2013 to fast-track the clearance of cargo and reduce costs at the nation’s ports. The interactive forum, which provides the Bank with an opportunity to connect with its customers, simultaneously gives the Bank an avenue to present and educate these same customers on its international trade business initiatives. These initiatives are in line with the government’s international trade policy.

According to the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FCMB, Mr. Ladi Balogun, ‘’the customers forum is another way we demonstrate just how much we value our customers and our eagerness to contribute positively to their business and their lives”.  Mr. Balogun said that FCMB is committed to assisting the government and other stakeholders in reducing challenges that hinder effective international trade business in Nigeria. As a Bank that is committed to exceptional service delivery, he said “we are proud and happy to organize and engage with our customers across the country in an impactful way”.

Last year, FCMB organised a number of customer fora in the country which was positively received and attended. In addition to sensitising customers on various aspects of the banks’ business and services, some key Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) programmes such as the cashless policy, the Biometric Verification Number Registration and others, were addressed.    FCMB hopes to continue to use these customer fora as a medium to engage customers to help push the banks’ initiatives and agenda, while at the same time understanding the challenges our customers may have and providing them with swift solutions.

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) is a member of FCMB Group Plc, which is one of the leading financial services institutions in Nigeria with subsidiaries that are market leaders in their respective segments. Having successfully transformed to a retail and commercial banking-led group, FCMB expects to continue to distinguish itself by delivering exceptional services, while enhancing the growth and achievement of personal and business aspirations of its customers.