By Bukola Adetoye
Lagos – Ecobank Nigeria Ltd and Accion Microfinance Bank on Tuesday entered into a partnership for collection of remittances through Western Union Transfer to customers.
Tony Okpanachi, the Deputy Managing Director of Ecobank, said at the launch in Lagos that the partnership would enable those in 40 branches of Accion Microfinance Bank nationwide access remittances with ease.
“It is the part of agency banking which the Ecobank pioneered in the country and we believe the partnership will be beneficial to the customers of both banks.
“The collaboration will enhance the financial programme championed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and encourage customers in microfinance sector to embrace formal and internet banking.
“Since the establishment of the bank in 1986, the Western Union Transfer has created a mutual beneficial partnership through it’s over 480 branches globally,’’ he said.
Okpanachi said Accion Microfinance Bank customers, through the partnership, could use Ecobank’s Automated Teller Machines nationwide.
Mrs Olubunmi Lawanson, the Managing Director, Accion Microfinance Bank, said the collaboration was part the management’s efforts to enable its customers get more valued services.
“ For Accion, the collaboration is a major milestone and it will be a major catalyst in expanding the frontiers of financial inclusion to more entrepreneurs in micro-credit sector.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Accion Microfinance Bank was established in 2007 and was granted national licence in 2015.
It currently operates in 15 states.