COVID-19: FCMB Guarantees Hitch-free Services, Rolls Out Safety Measures

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has assured its customers of prompt and convenient financial services accessibility and delivery despite the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic in Nigeria.

The assurance followed the full activation of the bank’s business continuity plan and implementation of safety measures for customers and staff to contain the spread of the pandemic.

According to a statement, the action was in line with the customer-first approach philosophy of the bank and best practice international protocols, including the recommended measures by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Furthermore, FCMB stated that part of the safety measures it has put in place was the cleaning of teller counters at all branches with disinfectants every hour.

This it added, was in addition to compulsory enforcement of temperature screening, the use of hand sanitisers for all those that must gain access to any of its business premises and keeping a keen eye on social distancing rules.

The bank disclosed that while majority of its branches would remain open to serve customers who may require physical services, a few other branches would be temporarily closed with effect from yesterday.

“Based on this and considering the critical services offered by banks, especially at a time like this, FCMB has further optimised its world class alternate and digital banking channels to effectively cater for all forms of transactions required by customers, thereby limiting the threat of inter-personal interaction.

“The lender has therefore encouraged customers to make use of its self-service channels, including, internet banking, the new FCMB Mobile app, *329# USSD solution, automated teller machines, among others, to send money, pay bills, request for loans, purchase airtime, check account balance and carry out other transactions on the go,” it added. It also stated that customers could access its website, its social media platforms or send emails to its customer care centre.

“Also, FCMB has temporarily changed its work structure by ensuring that some category of staff can now work remotely to minimise physical interaction as well as adhere to social distancing guidelines.

“This is to further safeguard the institution’s stakeholders and its host communities against the threats posed by COVID-19. Also, the bank has suspended all training programmes, while meetings are to be held virtually.