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FirstBank is set to roll out tailored banking services for blind, partially sighted and physically challenged customers, further cementing its position as a leader in financial inclusion.
The initiative, which will be implemented across all subsidiaries and locations of the FirstBank Group, is designed to remove long-standing barriers to accessibility in financial services. Transaction documents will now be available in braille, audio, large print, and digital formats. ATMs will feature high-contrast screens and voice-prompt commands, while debit cards will carry tactile motifs and braille inscriptions for easy identification. Product brochures will also be produced in braille and audio to enhance customer engagement.
Speaking on the launch, Chief Risk Officer and Chairman of the FirstBank Sustainability Committee, Patrick Akhidenor, 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.”
The bank also plans to enhance existing security features such as soft PINs and tokens to improve access to digital banking channels for this customer segment.
FirstBank’s drive for inclusivity is not new. With a gender balance of 41% female to 59% male staff and 37% women in management positions, alongside initiatives like the FirstBank Women Network, the bank has consistently embedded diversity into its culture. Its membership of UN Women underscores a commitment to the Women’s Empowerment Principles—Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Nondiscrimination.
The new accessibility initiative aligns with both the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial inclusion strategy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which call for equal access to financial services.
By taking these steps, FirstBank said it is not just ticking compliance boxes but setting a new standard for ethical and inclusive banking. It signals a future where no customer, regardless of physical ability, needs third-party assistance to manage their finances.
