Leading financial services provider, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), has continued to blaze the trail with innovative and value-added offerings to boost the productivity and overall performance of businesses.

The latest is an initiative tagged, “Top-5-In-5,” a digital video knowledge sharing and capacity building series designed to give Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) practical insights into different areas of their businesses to inspire them to operate optimally and successfully.

FCMB indicated that the “Top 5-in-5” initiative was one more way it aimed to add value to Nigerian SMEs and ensure they could truly #ThriveWithFCMB. In a statement, the Bank explained that the series would run for an initial period of 7 weeks, with a new episode released every week. Each episode would feature accomplished thought leaders and experts across diverse areas of business who would deliver 5 quality tips in 5 minutes, to help SMEs explore solutions to specific challenges or pain-points.

The impressive line-up of experts showcased in the series includes Bisi Adeyemi, Managing Director of DCSL Corporate Services Limited; Kelvin Balogun, Senior Partner at Verraki Partners; Aramide Abe, CEO/Founder Naija Startups and Bukola Smith, Executive Director, Business Development, FCMB. Other thought leaders are Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, Managing Director, CMC Connect; Omotolani Tayo-Oshikoya, Chief Operating Officer, TISV Digital; and James Ilori, Managing Director, FCMB Asset Management.

Some of the topics are: Building A Sustainable Business that Outlives You; Differentiating Your Business Through Innovation; and Raising Funds For Your Business. Other topics include Making Your Network Work For Your Business; Growing A Thriving Side Hustle; and Diversifying Your Investment Income.

The videos and other information on the series, including a section that offers viewers the opportunity to download useful resources, can be accessed on https://top5.fcmb.com/.

Despite the challenges of the environment, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, FCMB has remained resilient and has sustained the tempo of its support to businesses. As the number one Bank for SMEs in Nigeria, the financial institution has championed and executed several initiatives in this regard, thereby enhancing customer experience.

Among these are series of free online training, and capacity building and empowerment programmes. For instance, in April, FCMB organised the BEST Masterclass Webinar on “Turning Challenges Posed By COVID-19 Into Opportunities.” In addition, the bank has organised various webinars in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the most recent of which held on Tuesday, May 12 with the theme, “Adjusting Your Business Plan During Crisis”.

FCMB has also gone further to support borrowing business customers by providing payment moratoria (loan repayment holiday) during this period to ensure that they can survive, pay their workers and remain in business.

These bespoke offerings and solutions from FCMB are geared towards ensuring that businesses are well equipped to overcome challenges and thrive in a sustainable manner.