FCMB Named Nigeria’s Best SME Bank 2025, Leading SME Financing Across Key Sectors
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). The accolade highlights the bank’s industry-leading 24% share of Nigeria’s N1.8 trillion total SME financing in 2024, reinforcing its pivotal role in supporting the country’s small and medium-sized enterprises.
The award was presented at the 60th Annual Bankers Dinner in Lagos, celebrating institutions that contribute significantly to economic growth. FCMB emphasized that its SME-focused initiatives are designed to empower the real drivers of Nigeria’s economy, providing businesses with the capital, guidance, and technology needed to thrive.
According to the bank, its investments are concentrated in high-performing sectors, including Crop Production (26.51%), Trade (14.78%), and Telecommunications (13.94%), as well as Real Estate (5.43%) and Food, Beverage, and Tobacco (4.06%). The selection of awardees was based on comprehensive industry lending data from the Central Bank of Nigeria, reflecting measurable contributions to the enterprise ecosystem.
Beyond financing, FCMB continues to provide entrepreneurs with training programs, advisory services, and strategic partnerships to help them overcome business challenges and achieve sustainable growth. Accepting the award on behalf of the Managing Director and CEO, Yemisi Edun, Executive Director of Wholesale Banking, Obaro Odeghe, highlighted the bank’s ongoing commitment to nurturing SMEs, which he described as the backbone of the Nigerian economy.
The recognition adds to a growing list of accolades for FCMB, including awards from the Mastercard Foundation, the Global SME Finance Forum, and the Development Bank of Nigeria. The bank remains focused on promoting inclusive growth by connecting people, capital, and markets across Nigeria and the diaspora, demonstrating a long-term commitment to empowering entrepreneurs nationwide.
source: punch