FirstBank has announced plans to introduce tailored financial services for Persons Living with Disabilities, as part of its broader continuous commitment to promoting financial inclusion and diversity.
FirstBank’s efforts align with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial inclusion strategy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which advocates equal access to financial services. The initiative will benefit customers who are blind, partially sighted, and physically challenged across its operations.
Under this initiative, transaction documents will be made available in Braille, audio, large print, and digital formats. ATMs will be upgraded with high-contrast screens and voice-prompt commands, while cards issued will feature tactile motifs and Braille inscriptions for easy recognition. Already existing soft PINs and tokens would be enhanced to boost secure access to banking channels. Product brochures will also be made available in Braille and audio formats to support customer understanding and engagement.
Patrick Akhidenor, Chief Risk Officer and Chairman of the FirstBank Sustainability Committee, commenting on the proposed launch, said, “Everyone deserves access to financial services, whether physically or digitally. We recognise this, and we are providing financial services that are both accessible and affordable to visually impaired and physically challenged customers at all our touchpoints. We are making it possible for them to manage their accounts independently and securely.”
FirstBank indicated that the initiative will be implemented in phases across all subsidiaries and locations of the FirstBank Group. With this initiative, FirstBank said that it is shaping a future where every individual, regardless of physical ability, can manage their financial affairs without third-party assistance.
FirstBank maintained that the initiative reflected its financial inclusion and diversity push, which is shown in its policies, partnerships and initiatives, such as its employees’ ratio of female to male (about 41.59%; and 37% women in management roles) as well as the FirstBank Women Network, an initiative that seeks to address the gender gap and increase the participation of women at all levels within the organisation.
