First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has been named Nigeria’s Best SME-Focused Bank for 2025 by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), in recognition of its pivotal role in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises nationwide.
The award, presented at the 60th Annual Bankers Dinner in Lagos on November 28, 2025, highlights FCMB’s significant impact on the sector, where it holds a leading 24% share of the ₦1.8 trillion total SME financing in 2024.
FCMB’s lending strategy targets key drivers of Nigeria’s economy, aligning with high-performing sectors identified in the November 2024 Nigerian GDP Report for Q3. These include Crop Production (26.51%), Trade (14.78%), Telecommunications (13.94%), Real Estate (5.43%), and Food, Beverage and Tobacco (4.06%).
The award was based on data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which monitors contributions of financial institutions to Nigeria’s enterprise ecosystem. Beyond funding, FCMB supports entrepreneurs with advisory services, training programs, and strategic partnerships to help SMEs grow sustainably.
At the awards ceremony, FCMB executives were joined by CIBN President and Chairman of Council, Professor Pius Olanrewaju. Representing FCMB CEO Yemisi Edun, Executive Director of Wholesale Banking, Obaro Odeghe, said:
“We are honoured by this recognition from the CIBN. It reaffirms our commitment to empowering Nigerian entrepreneurs, who are the backbone of the economy. We will continue to provide accessible finance, innovative technology, and expert guidance to help SMEs thrive, drive productivity, and contribute to national development.”
The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria hosts the awards to showcase progress, innovation, and resilience in the financial sector. FCMB’s success was further highlighted with staff member Tooritsemoshe Ojei receiving the Next Generation Class of 2025 Award for outstanding performance and leadership potential.
As a key part of FCMB Group Plc, the bank continues to promote inclusive growth by connecting people, capital, and markets in Nigeria and beyond. The latest award adds to a growing list of accolades, including the Excellence Award for Promoting Financial Inclusion for Grassroots Entrepreneurs (Mastercard Foundation), SME Financier of the Year (Africa) from the Global SME Finance Forum/IFC, and Best Bank with the Highest Impact on MSMEs Accessing Credit for the First Time in Nigeria from the Development Bank of Nigeria.