First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has been recognized as Nigeria’s Best SME‑Focused Bank for 2025 by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN). The award, presented at the 60th Annual Bankers Dinner in Lagos, underscores FCMB’s substantial role in supporting small and medium‑sized businesses across the country.
FCMB currently holds a significant 24 % share of the banking industry’s total SME disbursement, amounting to ₦1.8 trillion for 2024. Its financing efforts align with Nigeria’s highest‑performing sectors—crop production, trade, telecommunications, real estate, and food, beverage, and tobacco. According to the November 2024 Nigerian Gross Domestic Product Report (Q3 2024), these sectors have shown notable growth, with crop production accounting for 26.51 %, trade for 14.78 %, and telecommunications for 13.94 % of GDP.
The bank’s commitment to entrepreneurs extends beyond credit. FCMB offers training programs, advisory services, and strategic partnerships that have helped it achieve this recognition. The award selection was based on industry‑wide lending data supplied by the Central Bank of Nigeria, which monitors financial sector contributions to the enterprise ecosystem.
FCMB’s Managing Director and CEO, Yemisi Edun, said the accolade affirms the bank’s purpose as an institution dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of Nigerian entrepreneurs. She added that FCMB will continue to support SMEs with accessible finance, technology, and expert advice to boost productivity and contribute to national development.
The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, the principal professional body for bankers in the country, organized the awards to showcase progress and resilience in the financial sector. FCMB’s achievement was further highlighted by a staff member receiving the Next Generation Class of 2025 Award for outstanding performance and leadership potential.
FCMB’s broader commitment to inclusive growth—connecting people, capital, and markets in Nigeria and among Nigerians abroad—has earned it multiple honors, including the Excellence Award for Promoting Financial Inclusion for Grassroots Entrepreneurs and the SME Financier of the Year (Africa) from the Global SME Finance Forum/IFC. This latest award reinforces FCMB’s position as a leading bank in Nigeria’s SME sector and demonstrates its dedication to fostering the growth and development of small and medium‑sized businesses. As the Nigerian economy evolves, FCMB’s efforts to provide accessible finance and expert guidance will remain crucial for driving productivity and national development.
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