The bank also reported earnings per share of N4.58, a 52.16%
growth from the N3.01 reported a year earlier in 2020. Access Bank Plc has
grown its profits by 167% in 4 years since hitting N60 billion in 2017 with the
profit now touching roughly N160 billion.
The statement revealed that in FY 2021, its Net interest
income grew by 14.64% from N262.95 billion to N301.46 billion within the same
period under review. Access Bank’s profit performance is on the back of all
margin growth as income from interest, trading income and fees and commission
income all appreciated year on year.
Meanwhile, Access Bank says it has commissioned and
empowered 100,000 Access Closa Agents to provide more than banking services to
its existing and new customers.
The executive director, Retail Banking, Mr Victor Etuokwu,
made this known in a statement on Monday in Lagos.
He said that this was part of the bank’s commitment to
deliver banking services to Nigerians.
“With the current number of Access Closa Agents spread
across the 774 Local Government Areas in the country, the bank has
significantly grown access to finance and banking services to millions of
previously under-banked Nigerians.
“It is providing alternate streams of income for MSMEs,
promoting financial literacy and advancing its ambition to bank one in every
two Nigerians by 2025,” he said.
Etuokwu said the exponential growth of the bank’s agent
network was in fulfillment of its promise to ensure easier and safer access to
financial services for every Nigerian.
He said, “As a bank driven by innovation, we must deliver
better outcomes for customers in terms of speed, security, and service to
enhance customer experience in all the locations that we operate.
“With the recent achievement of hitting a 100,000 milestone
of Access Closa Agents, customers and non-customers of the bank who are
traveling for business, events, or to visit loved ones in any location in
Nigeria will continue to enjoy uninterrupted banking services.
“Our Closa agents are available in several rural and
semi-urban locations across the country.”
The bank’s Senior Advisor, Retail Banking, Robert Giles,
said the bank had passion and commitment to broaden the opportunities and
access to financial services for Nigerians and Africans, irrespective of their
locations.
He said customers could locate a Closa agent near them by
simply searching for ‘Access Closa Agent’ on Google Maps on their phones
instead of walking long distances in search of a branch.
“With over 100,000 agent locations spread across every
neighborhood in the country, we are making sure our existing customers and
potential customers can enjoy seamless banking services close to where they
live and work.
“This is done in a safe and convenient manner by offering
basic financial services such as account opening, cash withdrawal, cash
deposit, and bill payments.
“Our continuously growing agent network is increasingly
making the need to visit a bank branch unnecessary for everyone.
“We are committed to being at the forefront of providing
digital financial services in Nigeria,” Giles said.