First Bank Launches Digital Experience Centre in Lekki, Nigeria

The FirstBank Digital Xperience Centre, situated on Admiralty Way in Lekki, Lagos, is the bank’s sixth completely automated branch which was opened on Monday.

Customers of this cutting-edge branch may use sophisticated digital banking tools to carry out smooth and effective transactions on their own.

The new facility has automated teller machines (ATMs), teller cash recyclers for depositing money, card vending devices that can issue ATM cards in three minutes, and self-service kiosks for fund transfers.

Olusegun Alebiosu, FirstBank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, spoke during the event and underlined the bank’s dedication to providing innovative services that meet international standards. He also stated that FirstBank is ready for the digital future of banking.

Alebiosu said, “The Digital Xperience Centre has cutting-edge features that are intended to offer a smooth and engaging banking experience.”

FirstBank is taking a step toward revolutionizing the nation’s banking sector with the establishment of the Digital Xperience Centre. Customers can confidently navigate the digital terrain thanks to its design, which meets the changing and expanding demands of the banking public and consumers. Adetokunbo Ademola Branch, Victoria Island, University of Ibadan, Wuse Branch, Abuja, and Banana Island, Lagos, are additional sites with previously operational centres.

“It is crucial that we recognize that the future of banking is digital,” Alebiosu stated during the launch. Today’s 10 and 15-year-old kids will require banking; we’ve taught them how to use phones. In ten years, how will people approach a banking hall? Digital is the answer.

“This simply facilitates transactions for customers.” Imagine being without anything on a Sunday because you have misplaced your ATM card. You may come in and get another ATM card in three minutes. You may make transactions, pay in your money, and update your email and phone number.

He emphasized the centre’s distinctive qualities, which include:

AI-Powered Humanoid Robots: These real-time customer service representatives answer questions and provide advice.

Contactless ATMs: With their interactive smart displays, these fast-track ATMs provide safe and efficient transactions.

Video Banking Services: With the use of video technology, clients may communicate with relationship managers and customer support agents from a distance.

AI-Driven Security: AI improves operational efficiency, guards against fraud, and strengthens transaction security.

Automated Card Issuance and Account Opening: Consumers may obtain debit cards in a matter of minutes and create accounts immediately.

Alebiosu went on to say that the bank’s plan to expand its self-service branch network throughout its operational base is in line with the introduction of the digital experience.

This helps us move our agenda along. In April, I’ll be in UNN to commission the same. My staff will inform you what we have for BUK, LASU, and UNILAG in Kano. You will continue to see these digital experience centres as we grow in each of our locations. As previously said, how many individuals will visit the banking halls during the course of the next ten years? Today’s youth will just use their cellphones, so why wait in line at a bank? We are getting them ready for the future. They can do it alone since they have witnessed their parents doing it. In any case, FirstBank will be innovative, even if it means a new approach to banking.

As a pioneer in digital banking solutions, FirstBank is committed to providing our clients with cutting-edge services that are customized to meet their needs. Our goal of being Africa’s preferred bank is largely dependent on this growth of our network of Digital Xperience Centers. Alebiosu went on.

Abimbola Kunle-Ajayi, Group Head of Branch Operations and Services for Lagos and West, commended the effectiveness of the center.

“The Digital Experience Centre is a way to showcase innovative initiatives,” stated Abimbola Kunle-Ajayi, Group Head, Branch Operations and Services for Lagos and West. The turnaround time for processing items is visible. It took less than two minutes to complete the transfer, which might take fifteen to twenty minutes at the branch. From there, I was able to sell the card in three minutes. The consumer finds it convenient, and they always like taking care of themselves.

“When we opened our earlier digital centres, all you needed was your biometrics for the self-service kiosks, but from today, you will notice that beyond the biometrics, we were looking at our phones,” Kunle-Ajayi continued, adding that security at the experience centres has increased. We made the decision to improve security since that is the OTP, so clients can feel secure knowing that their transactions are secure.

“Transaction turnaround times have been greatly shortened,” she said. Nowadays, a transfer that would typically take 15 to 20 minutes in a regular branch may be finished in under two minutes. Customers find it extremely handy since card vending and ATM withdrawals may be completed in a matter of minutes. 

Oluseyi Oyefeso, Executive Director, Retail Banking South, also spoke at the occasion and stated that the self-service center was designed with the needs of the clients in mind.

“The centre was designed with our consumers’ needs in mind. We understand that many individuals in this day and age simply want to do their business and get out, which is why we’re here: come in, take care of yourself, and head out,” he added.

Customers would be able to utilize the digital experience centre’s equipment whenever they wanted, Oyefeso continued. We guarantee that you will find them enjoyable, and we will continue to strive to ensure that we are available wherever you need us to make banking simple for you.

In 2021, FirstBank opened its first Digital Xperience Centre on Victoria Island, Lagos’s Adetokunbo Ademola Street.

Later locations were opened in August 2023 at the University of Ibadan, in October 2023 at Abuja Wuse New Market, and in March 2024 on Banana Island in Lagos.

FirstBank’s larger plan to transform banking in Nigeria includes the Digital Xperience Centre. It gives clients access to cutting-edge banking solutions, boosting their confidence in negotiating the digital financial environment.

The Lagos State Government gave FirstBank permission earlier this month to start building its environmentally friendly headquarters in Eko Atlantic City. During the ground-breaking event, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave First Holdco Chairman Femi Otedola the certificate of permission.

The projected 40-story structure is hailed as a technological and environmental marvel and is expected to become Nigeria’s tallest structure. The building will have cutting-edge, environmentally responsible architecture, establishing a new standard for the African financial services industry.