FirstBank has announced plans to introduce banking services designed for blind, partially sighted and physically challenged customers.
The premier financial institution said the move is part of its effort to promote financial inclusion and diversity across its branches and subsidiaries.
Chief Risk Officer and Chairman of the FirstBank Sustainability Committee Patrick Akhidenor said the bank is committed to making services accessible to everyone.
“Everyone deserves access to financial services whether physically or digitally. We recognise this, and we are providing financial services that are both accessible and affordable to visually impaired and physically challenged customers at all our touchpoints. We are making it possible for them to manage their accounts independently and securely,” he said.
The rollout will happen in phases.
Documents such as account statements and transaction slips will be provided in braille, audio, large print, and digital formats. ATMs will feature high-contrast screens and voice prompts to guide users. Debit and credit cards will have tactile marks and braille inscriptions to help customers identify them easily.
Security features like soft PINs and tokens will be upgraded. Product brochures will also be produced in braille and audio to improve customer understanding.
FirstBank says the initiative aligns with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial inclusion strategy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which call for equal access to financial services.
The bank says its goal is to create a system where people with disabilities can manage their finances without relying on others.
