9.5m Nigerians use First Bank’s *894# USSD banking service — Official

First Bank of Nigeria Limited said on Thursday that its *894# Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) quick banking service was being used by no fewer than 9.5 million customers.

Mr Chuma Ezirim, First Bank’s Group Executive, e-Business, Retail Products, said in a statement in Lagos that the development was a clear demonstration of the bank’s acknowledged leadership in electronic banking.

He said that the bank’s USSD banking service, launched in January 2015, was an easy to use, convenient, fast, user-friendly mobile banking channel through which various banking activities were carried out on a mobile phone.

Ezirim said the USSD could be used across the four major GSM network operators in the country, without the use of the internet.

“Customers are able to enjoy a wide range of banking services using the bank’s *894# USSD banking.

“These services include data and airtime top-up for self and third-party individuals, quick balance enquiry, fund transfers and BVN enquiry, among others.

“At First Bank, we are excited about the impact our innovative solutions are making in the Nigerian payment landscape.

“Our *894# USSD banking has been a viable platform through which we take our banking services to the doorstep of our customers, right on the palm of their hands, without the limitation of an internet connection.

“We remain committed to creating various avenues to enable Nigerians carry out various financial activities conveniently, safely and securely anytime, anywhere in Nigeria,” Ezirim said.