Why we will bank with Sterling Bank in 2015 – customers

As business activity commences nationwide after the new year break, customers of Sterling Bank plc have assured of their continued patronage to the bank in 2015, based on satisfied and rich customer experience in 2014.

Customers who spoke in Lagos and other parts of the country hinged their position on the provision of quality banking and financial advisory services they got in 2014, the introduction of customised products and services across ages, its partnership with Arsenal Football Club with the sponsorship of fans to watch matches at the Emirates Stadium in the United Kingdom, the skill acquisition and empowerment programme instituted, and promotion of entrepreneurship programmes through projects such as ‘Meet The Executive’ and ‘Get Ready for Work’ concert.

Other reasons listed included the reward system instituted through activities such as the ATM activations, Retail Mobile Clinic, and Children Shopping Dash programme, its contributions to financial literacy programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria as well as its corporate social responsibility initiatives, especially in the area of health and the environment.

All these will continue to serve as the right motivation to sustain our relationship with the Bank in 2015, according to some of them.

Felix Obiagbo, chief executive of Ofelpaco Nigeria Limited, described Sterling Bank as a reliable financial institution committed to the growth of the businesses of its customers in particular and the economy in general.

His relayed his experience with the bank: “We are into fast food business. We have UAC Franchise and we run four outlets in Port Harcourt. With the support of Sterling Bank, the company has continued to grow. For instance, we started with just one outlet 10 years ago and we now have four as we speak. Sterling Bank has remained our pillar of support in this business through the provision of credit facilities, which helped to grow our business. Its business combination with other financial institutions has strengthened its capacity to meet the demands of its customers.”

Similarly, Jean Matter, general manager of Zerock Group, and Sunday Oduyale, chairman/chief executive of Esbee Limited, said that their business relationship with Sterling Bank had been a major catalyst to the continued growth of their organisations.

Zerock Group has continued to enjoy excellent relationship with Sterling Bank since it commenced operations in the country. “The bank is very responsive in terms financial support while we have also ensured that we play according to the rules of the business to enable us to continue to enjoy the support of the Bank,” he said.

In his own testimony, Oduyale, who is into automobile business in Ijebu Ode, commended the bank for ensuring that the needs of its customers were met at all times and also provided financial advisory services to ensure that the funds were adequately utilised.

For Gbemisola Eso, winner of the ‘Meet the Executive’ competition, an initiative of the bank aimed at empowering new and existing entrepreneurs, her relationship with Sterling Bank “marked the turning point in my life.”

Her words: “Sterling Bank has remained very innovative with genuine corporate social responsibility initiatives. When a cheque of N2 million was handed to me by the bank after the competition, l felt on top of the world. The journey had been long, challenging, but rewarding with Sterling Bank supporting the business all the way.”

Speaking with journalists at the corporate headquarters of the bank at the weekend, Shina Atilola, the bank’s group head, strategy and communications, assured that the year 2015 will see the bank consolidating on the gains of 2014, to the advantage of its customers who have continued to enjoy unparalleled and qualitative banking experience over the years. Other stakeholders including the shareholders will not be left out, he said.

The bank’s spoke man said: “Sterling Bank has continued to sustain its position as a bank of reference among its peers in the industry. To sustain this position, we have continued to expand our operational base by opening additional branches to ensure that we take our products and services to the doorsteps of our customers, improve on our IT infrastructure to ensure top-notch service delivery, increase our ATM footprint at onsite and offsite locations across the country and develop new products to cater for all members of the banking public, including the unbanked in the society.”