Lagos, NIGERIA – Union Bank of Nigeria Plc (Union Bank) has announced its membership of Business Call to Action (BCtA) with a commitment to provide access to financial services to a minimum of 30,000 people from low income communities within 11 states across Northern Nigeria by 2020.
Launched at the United Nations in 2008, BCtA aims to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by challenging companies to develop inclusive business models that engage people at the base of the economic pyramid – people with less than US$10 per day in purchasing power – as consumers, producers, suppliers, distributors of goods and services and employees.
Union Bank’s membership of BCtA reaffirms the Bank’s leadership in, and commitment to, inclusive and sustainable business initiatives especially for those at the base of the pyramid. Its initiative under BCtA is expected to tackle financial exclusion in the North through the scale up of dedicated financial products and channels.
This commitment includes the “Project North” initiative, an innovative and strategic approach for the bottom of the economic pyramid, in areas of Nigeria where economic activities are gradually recovering following the 8 year-long battle against terrorist insurgency. Under Project North, Union Bank has launched UnionKorrectDaiDai, a tenored savings product, in selected states across Northern Nigeria for the benefit of low income earners. It features incentive-based banking including reduced monthly savings and opportunities to win prizes in quarterly promotional draws.
Commenting on the membership, Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank, Mr. Emeka Emuwa said:
“Joining Business Call to Action is a logical step for us as we work to galvanize private sector participation in developing Nigeria following our call to action for a N100bn fund.
As a Bank, we will continue to develop sustainable products and services that address poverty and financial inclusion in line with our commitment to support the communities within which we operate.”
Also commenting, BCtA Programme Manager, Paula Pelaez said:
“Union Bank of Nigeria’s approach to tackling the challenge of access to financial services in northern Nigeria shows both innovation and creativity, enabling it to meet the specific needs of communities living in this area, while maintaining company profits.”
In addition to UnionKorrectDaiDai, Union Bank offers a range of financial products that have a low entry barrier, aimed at promoting financial inclusion. These include UnionFuture, a long-term savings product with minimum monthly savings targets of ₦2,000 and UnionBeta, a one-off savings product where part of the interest accrued is used to support any charity chosen by the customer.
With this membership, Union Bank has joined over 200 companies, ranging from multinationals to social enterprises, and working in 67 countries, who have responded to BCtA by committing to improve the lives and livelihoods of millions in developing countries through access to markets, financial services, affordable healthcare, water and sanitation, education and other critical services.
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Note to editors:
About Union Bank Plc.
Established in 1917 and listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1971, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc. is a household name and one of Nigeria’s long-standing and most respected financial institutions. The Bank is a trusted and recognizable brand, with an extensive network of over 300 branches across Nigeria.
In late 2012, a new Board of Directors and Executive Management team were appointed to Union Bank and in 2014 the Bank began executing a transformation programme to re-establish it as a highly respected provider of quality financial services.
The Bank currently offers a variety of banking services to both individual and corporate clients including current, savings and deposit account services, funds transfer, foreign currency domiciliation, loans, overdrafts, equipment leasing and trade finance. The Bank also offers its customers convenient electronic banking channels and products including Online Banking, Mobile Banking, Debit Cards, ATMs and POS Systems.
More information can be found at: www.unionbankng.com
Media Enquiries: Email yowonubi@unionbankng.com
