First Bank of Nigeria received three awards, including two for its SME banking operations in Africa and Nigeria. The bank was recognised for its national-scale SME banking franchise, dedicated relationship coverage and streamlined credit processes. More than 80% of its customers use digital banking products, supported by self-service banking facilities and artificial intelligence. Lagos, 14 October 2026 – First Bank of Nigeria won three awards at The Asian Banker Africa Awards 2026, recognising its performance in SME and retail banking, extensive distribution network and continued investment in technology-enabled financial services. The bank was named Best SME Bank in Africa, Best SME Bank in Nigeria and Best Retail Bank in Nigeria. The awards recognised its ability to combine relationship-led banking, dedicated SME financing capabilities and digital services to support businesses and individual customers across Nigeria. First Bank strengthens its SME banking franchise FirstBank won Best SME Bank in Africa and Best SME Bank in Nigeria for establishing SME banking as a national-scale franchise, supported by an extensive customer base, dedicated frontline coverage and sector-aligned banking structures. The bank's SME banking model combines relationship managers with centralised risk oversight, enabling it to serve businesses across different industries while maintaining consistent credit assessment and portfolio management practices. First Bank has also integrated digital services into its SME banking operations, including assisted digital adoption, automated credit workflows and faster working-capital financing processes. These capabilities aim to improve access to financing and reduce processing requirements for businesses seeking credit. By combining dedicated relationship coverage with technology-enabled lending and centralised risk management, FirstBank has developed a model designed to expand SME financing at scale while maintaining credit discipline in Nigeria's operating environment. Together, the two SME awards recognise the bank's integration of business financing into its broader banking franchise, combining financial services with digital capabilities to support SMEs. Expanding retail banking through physical and digital channels First Bank was also named Best Retail Bank in Nigeria, in recognition of its extensive retail banking network, digital adoption and investment in accessible customer services. The bank has strengthened its retail banking proposition by integrating digital banking capabilities with its established branch infrastructure, allowing customers to access financial services through physical locations and self-service channels. Its Digital Xperience Centres enable customers to open accounts, obtain payment cards and conduct routine banking transactions through automated self-service facilities. These centres extend access beyond traditional branches and give customers more options for managing everyday banking needs. More than 80% of FirstBank's customers use digital banking products, demonstrating the reach of digital services across its retail customer base. The bank has also deployed artificial intelligence (AI) to improve operational efficiency, personalise customer engagement and support service delivery across retail banking segments. These applications form part of its efforts to integrate technology into customer-facing services and internal banking processes. The retail banking award recognises First Bank's combination of physical reach and digital delivery to broaden access to services and improve the customer experience. Integrating SME financing, digital banking and customer access Across its three awards, First Bank's SME and retail banking operations demonstrate how relationship-led services, distribution and technology can work together to serve different customer segments. In SME banking, dedicated relationship coverage, sector-aligned structures and automated credit processes support the bank's ability to serve businesses at scale. In retail banking, its branch network, Digital Xperience Centres and digital products provide customers with multiple channels through which to access financial services. This approach combines the reach of an established banking franchise with technology-enabled services, while retaining relationship management and credit oversight. The three awards place First Bank's SME and retail banking capabilities in focus, with its distribution network, digital adoption and operational improvements supporting its service offering across Nigeria. About The Asian Banker Africa Awards 2026 The Asian Banker Africa Awards recognise achievements in retail finance, SME banking, digital banking, transaction finance, financial inclusion and other areas of financial services across African markets. Financial institutions are assessed under TAB Global's international awards programmes, which recognise institutional performance, service capabilities, innovation and achievements in financial services. About TAB Global TAB Global owns and manages a number of world-class digital content platforms, namely The Asian Banker, Wealth and Society and BankQuality.com, as well as learning platforms including The Banking Academy and The Skill Store. Incorporated in Singapore, it has offices in Beijing and Dubai and support offices in Kuala Lumpur and Manila, with plans to expand to Johannesburg, London, Zurich and New York. Visit https://www.tab.global/ for details.
