First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has been named Nigeria’s Best SME Focused Bank for 2025 by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).
Mrs. Yemisi Edun, Managing Director of FCMB,
The award was presented at the 60th Annual Bankers Dinner in Lagos, where FCMB was recognised for holding a leading 24 per cent share of the banking industry’s ₦1.8 trillion total SME disbursement in 2024.
CIBN said the selection was based on industry-wide lending data provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which tracks financial sector contributions to enterprise growth.
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FCMB’s financing has been directed toward key sectors driving the economy, including crop production, trade, telecommunications, real estate, and food and beverages.
Speaking at the event, FCMB Managing Director, Mrs. Yemisi Edun, represented by Mr. Obaro Odeghe, Executive Director of Wholesale Banking, said the recognition affirms the bank’s commitment to supporting Nigerian entrepreneurs.
“We will continue to support SMEs with accessible finance, technology, and expert advice to grow sustainably. By strengthening these businesses, we drive productivity and contribute directly to national development,” she said.
The event also saw FCMB staff member, Tooritsemoshe Ojei, receive the Next Generation Class of 2025 Award for outstanding performance and leadership potential.
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CIBN, Nigeria’s main professional body for bankers, said the awards were designed to showcase resilience and progress in the financial sector.
FCMB, part of FCMB Group Plc, has previously won honours including the Excellence Award for Promoting Financial Inclusion for Grassroots Entrepreneurs (Mastercard Foundation), SME Financier of the Year (Africa) from the Global SME Finance Forum/IFC, and Best Bank with the Highest Impact on MSMEs Accessing Credit for the First Time in Nigeria from the Development Bank of Nigeria.
