News
VENO NEWS:FirstBank Retains Top Spot as Nigeria’s Best Bank for ESG At 2025 Euromoney Awards
Date: 02-08-25
FirstBank, the West African premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider, has emerged as Nigeria’s Best Bank for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) at the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025, held recently in London. This marks FirstBank’s second consecutive win in the ESG category, affirming its leadership in sustainable finance and responsible banking across Nigeria.
The Euromoney Awards for Excellence are regarded as one of the most coveted accolades in the global financial industry. The highly competitive selection process involves rigorous analysis and assessment, measuring performance against strategic and impact-oriented criteria.
The Bank earned the award through its deepened sustainability commitments embedded across its operations and community initiatives. In 2024, FirstBank screened 237 transactions worth over ?3 trillion for sustainability risks, integrating ESG considerations into its credit framework.
Among its flagship sustainability initiatives, FirstBank commenced a tree planting campaign in partnership with Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), planting over 30,000 trees in 16 locations across Nigeria. This was the first phase of its 50,000-tree initiative, projected to absorb approximately 720 tonnes of CO? by the end of 2025, contributing to climate resilience and supporting biodiversity preservation.
FirstBank has been proactive in gender inclusion through the Gender Market Strategy, disbursing over ?43 billion FirstGem loans to women-led businesses in 2024. The Bank’s commitment to inclusive banking saw a significant increase in the worth of transactions facilitated by FirstMonie agents to over ?9 trillion.
The Bank prioritises ESG/sustainability capacity building, evidenced by the training of over 9000 employees, and its webinars and workshops reaching over 2,000 SMEs and corporates. The bank’s investment in leadership for over 2,000 female employees through the FirstBank Women Network has demonstrated a dedicated structural commitment to cultivating a knowledgeable and diverse workforce catering to the dynamic ESG landscape.
Commenting on the award, the Chief Risk Officer of the Bank as well as the Chairman of the FirstBank Sustainability Committee, Patrick Akhidenor said, “We are honoured to receive this prestigious award for the second time in a row, which is a validation of our efforts to create a sustainable and inclusive future for all our stakeholders. Our approach to sustainability is hinged on three pillars: education, health and welfare; diversity and financial inclusion; responsible lending, procurement and climate initiatives”
He added: “We remain focused on driving impact through purposeful initiatives and inclusive growth, ensuring that our ESG efforts continue to create meaningful change in communities across Nigeria and beyond.”
The continued success in ESG and sustainability is driven by FirstBank’s vision to be Africa’s bank of first choice, leading with purpose, responsibility, and innovation.
Date: 02-08-25
FirstBank, the West African premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider, has emerged as Nigeria’s Best Bank for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) at the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025, held recently in London. This marks FirstBank’s second consecutive win in the ESG category, affirming its leadership in sustainable finance and responsible banking across Nigeria.
The Euromoney Awards for Excellence are regarded as one of the most coveted accolades in the global financial industry. The highly competitive selection process involves rigorous analysis and assessment, measuring performance against strategic and impact-oriented criteria.
The Bank earned the award through its deepened sustainability commitments embedded across its operations and community initiatives. In 2024, FirstBank screened 237 transactions worth over ?3 trillion for sustainability risks, integrating ESG considerations into its credit framework.
Among its flagship sustainability initiatives, FirstBank commenced a tree planting campaign in partnership with Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), planting over 30,000 trees in 16 locations across Nigeria. This was the first phase of its 50,000-tree initiative, projected to absorb approximately 720 tonnes of CO? by the end of 2025, contributing to climate resilience and supporting biodiversity preservation.
FirstBank has been proactive in gender inclusion through the Gender Market Strategy, disbursing over ?43 billion FirstGem loans to women-led businesses in 2024. The Bank’s commitment to inclusive banking saw a significant increase in the worth of transactions facilitated by FirstMonie agents to over ?9 trillion.
The Bank prioritises ESG/sustainability capacity building, evidenced by the training of over 9000 employees, and its webinars and workshops reaching over 2,000 SMEs and corporates. The bank’s investment in leadership for over 2,000 female employees through the FirstBank Women Network has demonstrated a dedicated structural commitment to cultivating a knowledgeable and diverse workforce catering to the dynamic ESG landscape.
Commenting on the award, the Chief Risk Officer of the Bank as well as the Chairman of the FirstBank Sustainability Committee, Patrick Akhidenor said, “We are honoured to receive this prestigious award for the second time in a row, which is a validation of our efforts to create a sustainable and inclusive future for all our stakeholders. Our approach to sustainability is hinged on three pillars: education, health and welfare; diversity and financial inclusion; responsible lending, procurement and climate initiatives”
He added: “We remain focused on driving impact through purposeful initiatives and inclusive growth, ensuring that our ESG efforts continue to create meaningful change in communities across Nigeria and beyond.”
The continued success in ESG and sustainability is driven by FirstBank’s vision to be Africa’s bank of first choice, leading with purpose, responsibility, and innovation.
LINKS
- VENO tv: FirstEase: How FirstBank Is Making Big-Ticket Purchases and Everyday Bills Easier- VENO tv: FirstEase: How FirstBank Is Making Big-Ticket Purchases and Everyday Bills Easier
- VENO tv: FirstEase: How FirstBank Is Making Big-Ticket Purchases and Everyday Bills Easier
- VENO tv: FirstEase: How FirstBank Is Making Big-Ticket Purchases and Everyday Bills Easier
- VENO tv: POLITICS INDIGENE PALAVER FOR YAYI THICKENS Adedeji Adetunji Raises Fresh Questions Over Senator’s Ancestry
- VENO tv: PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY IN ACTION: CHRIS OKAFOR HUMANITY FOUNDATION BRINGS SUCCOUR TO GRACE NATION CITIZENS AT SPECIAL CHARITY SUNDAY
- VENO TV: WHERE IS OLAOLUWA ADETONA, GLOBACOM ROLL-OUT MANAGER? Family Alleges Threats, Secrecy as Search for Missing Telecoms Staff Continues
- VENO tv: Prophecy Watch FUEL INCREASE PALAVER: BISHOP OJO’S PROPHECY HITS TARGET …Warns Pump Price May Still Rise Towards ?1,500–?2,000 Before Stabilising
- VENO tv: FOREIGN NEWS YEMEN BATTLES SAUDI-BACKED FORCES AS ANSARULLAH LEADER SPEAKS …Says Yemenis Are Defending Their Land, Dignity, Freedom and Independence
- VENO tv: ENTERTAINMENT FAITH CHIDIEBERE EZE WINS AMERICA’S MOST CREATIVE NIGERIAN AI MOVIE PRODUCER OF THE YEAR AWARD …Inducted Into Texas’ Elite Movie Hall of Fame VIP Roll Call, Class of 2025
- VENO TV EESSENCE OF REALITY 1 & 2 By Victor Dauda Visual Artist | CEO, Vedee_studio
- VENO tv: ENTERTAINMENT / EVENT VENO EXPERIENCE 2026 5.0: ESTHER DABIRA, TOM SAX, SOLA EWI, OTHERS SET TO PERFORM
- VENO tv: POLITICS 2027: OBA OF BENIN BACKS CONTINUITY AS YARI SEEKS ROYAL BLESSINGS FOR TINUBU’S RE-ELECTION
- VENO tv: OGUN POLITICS ROFOROFO FIGHT LOOMS AS HUNYE WELCOMES YAYI’S LAWSUIT THREAT OVER EKITI ORIGIN CLAIM
- VENO tv: FOREIGN NEWS SANDERS WARNS OVER RAPID AI DEVELOPMENT AS TECH FIRMS DISCUSS NEW SAFETY STANDARDS BODY
- VENO tv: FEATURE KIDNAPPING ECONOMY: HOW RANSOM BECAME ONE OF NIGERIA’S BIGGEST UNDERGROUND CRIMINAL ENTERPRISES — DR. VICTOR ADOJI
- VENO tv: AROUND TOWN EKITI MONARCH FACES SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS -Claims of Relationships With Married Women and Multiple Abortions Surface
- VENO tv CRIMEWATCH EMIR AJAGUNGBADE BURIED AMID TEARS AS POLICE PROBE ILE-IFE PARK KILLING
- VENO tv FEATURE “POLYGAMY IS NOT MY THING” — Alake of Egbaland Reveals As He Marks 83rd Birthday
- VENO TV: BUSINESS DANGOTE: FACTS BEHIND THE OFFER PRESENTATION …Says Refinery Was Not Making Money in January, February …“We Won’t Allow Fuel Queues to Return” …Plans Regional Fuel Pipeline Through Namibia to Zimbabwe
Page 1 of 69 [Next] [Last Page]
