Fidelity Bank Plc’s eminence in the field of exports has once more been resoundingly affirmed, as the bank was honored with the title of “Export Finance Bank of the Year” at the prestigious BusinessDay and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards 2023.
This accolade was conferred upon Fidelity Bank during an illustrious dinner event held on the evening of Saturday, October 28, 2023, at the Lagos Continental Hotel, situated in the heart of Victoria Island, Lagos.
The BAFI Awards, in its 10th edition, stand as a beacon of excellence within the Nigerian financial services sector, an acknowledgment and celebration of organizations that have demonstrated unparalleled proficiency in delivering financial services throughout Nigeria. As the organizers of this distinguished event, BusinessDay Media Limited, avowed, “The BAFI Awards is the benchmark of distinction for institutions in the Nigerian financial services sector.”

In response to this honor, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, expressed her gratitude and dedication of the award to the bank’s valued customers. She emphasized the pivotal role played by their customers, who entrust them to provide the vital support necessary to operate effectively within the global non-oil exports market space. Mrs. Onyeali-Ikpe reaffirmed the bank’s unwavering commitment to its core mission, which is to facilitate individual growth, inspire business resilience, and empower economies to prosper.
Notably, Fidelity Bank had recently hosted the second edition of the Fidelity International Trade and Creative Connect (FITCC) in Houston, Texas, United States of America. This event spanned two enriching days and culminated in a groundbreaking cocoa pre-export deal signed between Fidelity Bank, AFREXIM Bank, and JohnVents Industries. This monumental deal, valued at $40 million, has garnered widespread acclaim within the export community as a landmark development.
FITCC Houston was characterized by a vibrant showcase of products and services from over 160 businesses, comprising both Nigerian and U.S.-based enterprises. In addition to the exhibitions, panel sessions served as an invaluable platform for stakeholders to engage in strategic discussions aimed at augmenting the pipeline of Nigerian businesses venturing into the U.S. market.
Fidelity Bank’s resolute commitment to fostering bilateral trade and economic development between Nigeria and the USA through its FITCC initiative earned the bank an exceptional accolade. The Mayor of the City of Houston, Sylvester Turner, officially declared October 25, 2023, as FITCC Day in Houston, Texas, in recognition of the bank’s role in promoting international trade and economic relations.
Fidelity Bank, consistently ranked among Nigeria’s premier financial institutions, operates as a full-service commercial bank, catering to a customer base of over 8 million individuals and businesses. Its extensive reach encompasses 251 business offices located within Nigeria and the United Kingdom, complemented by a robust digital banking infrastructure.
The bank’s unwavering commitment to excellence has been validated by numerous accolades, both on the domestic and international fronts. Notable awards include the “Best Payment Solution Provider Nigeria 2023” and “Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022” from the Global Banking and Finance Awards. Additionally, Fidelity Bank was honored with the “Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria” by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2023, and “Best Domestic Private Bank in Nigeria” by the Euromoney Global Private Banking Awards 2023.
Fidelity Bank’s Recognition at the BAFI Awards 2023
Fidelity Bank Plc’s notable recognition as the “Export Finance Bank of the Year” at the BusinessDay and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards 2023 underscores the institution’s dedication to excellence and leadership in the export finance sector. The BAFI Awards, renowned as a paramount benchmark for the Nigerian financial services sector, have celebrated a decade of honoring and promoting financial organizations that exhibit exceptional performance in the Nigerian market.
The award ceremony, held on October 28, 2023, was a remarkable event hosted at the Lagos Continental Hotel, situated in the vibrant financial hub of Victoria Island, Lagos. BusinessDay Media Limited, the esteemed organizers of the BAFI Awards, in their statement, affirmed the awards’ significance as a mark of distinction for financial institutions within the Nigerian financial services sector.
In her response to this prestigious accolade, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, expressed profound gratitude for the recognition. She dedicated the award to the bank’s loyal customers, emphasizing the pivotal role they play in Fidelity Bank’s mission to provide robust support for businesses operating in the global non-oil exports market.
Mrs. Onyeali-Ikpe reaffirmed Fidelity Bank’s steadfast commitment to its core values, encapsulated in its mission of fostering individual growth, inspiring business resilience, and empowering economies to prosper. This award, coming on the heels of the bank’s recent achievements, reflects the bank’s unwavering commitment to being at the forefront of export finance in Nigeria.
Landmark Developments at the FITCC Houston Expo
The recognition of Fidelity Bank as the Export Finance Bank of the Year at the BAFI Awards 2023 is closely aligned with the bank’s recent endeavors in promoting international trade and export finance. One significant milestone was the bank’s hosting of the second edition of the Fidelity International Trade and Creative Connect (FITCC) in Houston, Texas, USA.
At this event, Fidelity Bank achieved a groundbreaking cocoa pre-export deal valued at $40 million with AFREXIM Bank and JohnVents Industries. This deal has not only added another feather to Fidelity Bank’s cap but has also been heralded as a landmark development within the export sector.
FITCC Houston also served as a vibrant platform for showcasing the capabilities and offerings of more than 160 businesses, including those from Nigeria and the United States. The event featured insightful panel sessions where stakeholders came together to discuss and strategize on how to bolster the pipeline of Nigerian businesses exporting their products into the U.S. market.
The Mayor of the City of Houston, Sylvester Turner, recognized Fidelity Bank’s invaluable contribution to fostering bilateral trade and economic development between Nigeria and the USA through its FITCC initiative. In acknowledgment of this, Mayor Turner officially declared October 25, 2023, as FITCC Day in Houston, Texas, a testament to the bank’s dedication to international trade and economic cooperation.
Fidelity Bank’s Position as a Premier Financial Institution
Fidelity Bank stands as a pillar of excellence within the Nigerian financial services landscape. With a customer base exceeding 8 million, the bank operates through a network of 251 business offices across Nigeria and the United Kingdom. In addition to its physical presence, Fidelity Bank has made significant strides in the digital banking arena, offering innovative and convenient digital banking channels.
This customer-centric bank has consistently received accolades and awards, both on the local and international stage, recognizing its commitment to delivering exceptional financial services. Some of the noteworthy awards include the “Best Payment Solution Provider Nigeria 2023” and “Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022,” presented by the Global Banking and Finance Awards.
Fidelity Bank was also honored as the “Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria” by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2023. This acknowledgment underscores the bank’s dedication to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, which play a pivotal role in driving economic growth and job creation in Nigeria.
In the realm of private banking, Fidelity Bank further solidified its standing by receiving the “Best Domestic Private Bank in Nigeria” title at the Euromoney Global Private Banking Awards 2023. This award recognizes the bank’s excellence in delivering tailored financial solutions to high-net-worth individuals and private clients, highlighting its commitment to personalized and premium banking services.
The Future of Fidelity Bank
As Fidelity Bank continues to excel in the financial services sector and gain recognition for its contributions to export finance and international trade, it remains committed to its mission of empowering individuals, inspiring businesses, and fostering economic prosperity. The bank’s unwavering dedication to innovation, customer service, and community engagement positions it as a cornerstone of the Nigerian financial landscape, with a promising and dynamic future ahead.
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