First Bank has announced plans to roll out tailored financial services for blind, partially sighted, and physically challenged customers across its operations, as part of its commitment to promoting financial inclusion and diversity.
The initiative, which will be introduced in phases across all subsidiaries, is designed to ensure that customers with disabilities can independently and securely manage their accounts.
Chief Risk Officer and Chairman of the First Bank Sustainability Committee, Patrick Akhidenor, said the programme reflects the bank’s belief that financial services should be accessible to all.
“Everyone deserves access to financial services whether physically or digitally. We are providing financial services that are both accessible and affordable to visually impaired and physically challenged customers at all our touchpoints,” Akhidenor stated. “We are making it possible for them to manage their accounts independently and securely.”
Under the initiative, transaction documents will be made available in braille, audio, large print, and digital formats. ATMs will be upgraded with high-contrast screens and voice-prompt commands, while issued cards will carry tactile motifs and braille inscriptions for easier recognition. Existing soft PINs and tokens will also be enhanced to strengthen secure access to banking channels.
First Bank’s move aligns with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial inclusion strategy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, both of which emphasize equal access to financial services.
By embedding accessibility into its core operations, First Bank says it is setting a new benchmark for ethical and inclusive banking in Nigeria and across its international subsidiaries.