Fidelity Bank Wins DBN Award for Expanding First-Time Credit Access to MSMEs

Fidelity Bank Wins DBN Award for Expanding First-Time Credit Access to MSMEs

LAGOS, Nigeria – Fidelity Bank Plc has been recognised by the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) for its outstanding contribution to expanding access to finance for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), winning the prestigious DBN Service Ambassadors Award for the Highest Impact on MSMEs Accessing Credit for the First Time.

The award acknowledges the bank's success in bringing previously unbanked and credit-excluded businesses into Nigeria's formal financial system, underscoring its commitment to financial inclusion, enterprise development and economic growth.

Speaking on the recognition, Fidelity Bank's Divisional Head of Small and Medium-scale Enterprises Banking, Ugochi Osinigwe, expressed appreciation to DBN for the honour and reiterated the bank's dedication to supporting the growth of SMEs across the country.

According to her, the award validates the bank's efforts in expanding access to finance for entrepreneurs who are obtaining formal credit for the first time.

"We sincerely thank the Development Bank of Nigeria for this recognition, which affirms the impact of our work in expanding access to finance for MSMEs, especially businesses accessing formal credit for the first time. At Fidelity Bank, we remain devoted to supporting SMEs with the right mix of funding, advisory services, capacity building, market access and digital solutions that enable them to grow, create jobs and contribute meaningfully to the economy," Osinigwe said.

She noted that the recognition would further motivate the bank to strengthen its interventions in the SME sector and continue providing practical solutions that help entrepreneurs overcome growth challenges.

The latest award adds to Fidelity Bank's growing list of recognitions for supporting Nigeria's MSME ecosystem. In 2025, the bank received the DBN Innovation Award in the Deposit Money Bank category for developing innovative financial products and services tailored to SMEs. It had earlier won the 2020 DBN Service Award for the Highest Disbursement to DBN-focused locations.

Beyond credit facilities, Fidelity Bank has implemented a range of initiatives aimed at empowering entrepreneurs and enhancing business sustainability.

Among these is the Fidelity SME Hub in Gbagada, Lagos, a dedicated entrepreneurship centre that provides training facilities, networking opportunities, business advisory services and creative studios for content production.

The bank also recently launched the Fidelity Quarterly Business Forum, a platform designed to connect SME owners, policymakers, industry leaders and business experts for discussions on trade, innovation, sustainability and growth opportunities. The inaugural edition, held in Port Harcourt, focused on scaling trade and distribution businesses.

In addition, Fidelity Bank continues to strengthen entrepreneurial capacity through its SME Masterclass Series, which offers practical training on pricing strategies, product development, online sales, brand visibility and international market readiness.

The financial institution has also played a strategic role in the disbursement of the Federal Government's MSME Intervention Funds, administered by the Bank of Industry, with particular emphasis on supporting women-owned businesses and other qualifying enterprises.

Through its extensive branch network, digital banking channels and dedicated relationship managers, the bank provides structured support to entrepreneurs in both urban and rural communities.

Fidelity Bank's SME support framework also extends to export promotion and market access initiatives. Through the Fidelity Nigeria International Trade and Creative Connect programme, the bank facilitates opportunities for Nigerian businesses in international markets, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States.

The bank also collaborates with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and Lagos Business School on the Export Management Programme, which equips entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills and networks required to compete globally.

Furthermore, its partnership with the National Credit Guarantee Company is helping to reduce lending risks and expand financing opportunities for MSMEs, while also providing financial literacy and business management training to loan beneficiaries.

These interventions reflect Fidelity Bank's comprehensive approach to SME development, combining finance, advisory support, capacity building, digital innovation, market access and strategic partnerships to help businesses grow and thrive.

Fidelity Bank Plc serves more than 10 million customers through its digital banking platforms, 255 business offices across Nigeria and its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The bank has received several local and international recognitions, including the 2025 DBN Innovation Award for MSME support, Best Retail and SME Bank Award by Independent Newspapers, Best Bank for Export and Trade Finance, Most Innovative Bank of the Year at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions Awards, and Nigeria's Best Private Bank at the 2025 Euromoney Awards.