FirstBank Nigeria Ltd. has lifted the digital banking experience for its customers with the launch of its first humanoid robot.
An industry first, at its Adetokunbo Ademola VI, Lagos Digital Experience Centre (DXC) Branch, FirstBank’s humanoid robot will engage customers and provide relevant services.
Mrs Folake Ani-Mumuney, Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, FirstBank, said in a statement on Thursday in Lagos that the robot was among the phased configuration of the bank’s state-of-the-art digitally led self-service branch.
According to the statement, the robot is equipped with video banking and Artificial Intelligence (AI), taking on the role of friendly branch staff.
“In furtherance to its role in providing innovative financial solutions in Nigeria, First Bank of Nigeria Ltd., Nigeria’s premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider, has announced the launch of a humanoid robot, the first of its kind in the financial services space in Nigeria.
“The robot is equipped with video banking and artificial intelligence, taking on the role of friendly branch staff.
“The robot can engage customers through conversations as well as through a touch screen strapped to its chest.
“The services performed by the robot include responding to customer inquiries on cash deposits, withdrawals and ATM cards.
“The robot also aids complaint management as customers can log a complaint via QR with feedback generated within the advised time.
“The humanoid robot also keeps customers up-to-date with happenings about the Bank, including product launches and upgrades designed to strengthen the customer experience and satisfaction.
“The robot is a one-stop point to keep customers informed about the Bank. It also effectively manages customers’ accounts,” the statement said.
The statement quoted Dr Adesola Adeduntan, the Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank Group, as expressing his delight at the initiative.
“The addition of the humanoid robot to our state-of-the-art Digital Experience Centre represents a purposeful stride towards transforming the banking landscape in the country and further showcases the priority we give to innovation within the Bank.
“With its advanced capabilities, the robot is designed to elevate the quality of our customers’ lives in today’s rapidly evolving digital world.
“Our unwavering dedication to delivering unparalleled banking services remains steadfast, as we leave no stone unturned in innovating to fulfil our customers’ needs,’’ he said.
The introduction of the humanoid robot is among the phased configuration of the Bank’s state-of-the-art digitally led self-service branch called Digital Experience Centre, which launched in December 2021.
Another humanoid robot will also be deployed in the Bank’s next and second Digital Experience Centre, soon to be announced in the coming months.
FirstBank Digital Experience Centre was introduced to put customers at an advantage in carrying out various activities on their own without interacting with anyone. The branch is a reinvention of digital banking solutions in the country as customers are exposed to a seamless world-class banking experience.
The self-service branch is built with a wide range of phased modern banking facilities which include humanoid robots equipped with Video Banking and Artificial Intelligence (AI), taking on the role of friendly branch staff; Teller Cash Recyclers (TCRs); Self-Service kiosks for non-financial transactions such as account update; Fast Track (Contactless) ATMs; Interactive Smart Screen to ensure effective and comprehensive consultation with bank sales staff via remote video connection.
Other services include paperless/electronic forms designed to promote timely resolution of complaints, dispensing of account statements and account enquiry/management, funds transfer, dispensing of new ATM cards; fixed deposit booking between N100,000.00 to N5,000,000.00, card services and management, cheque management, email and phone number update, ATM card and token block, amongst many others.
Expressing his delight on the initiative during the launch in 2021, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, CEO, FirstBank said ‘with our Digital Experience Centre, we have reiterated our role in pioneering leading innovative technology-driven solutions that are central to enriching the experience of our customers in carrying-out various transactions using state-of-the-art-facilities with ease and convenience. Our self-service branch exemplifies the future of banking in Nigeria and we remain committed to putting You, our customers First.
The FirstBank Digital Experience Centre is piloted by the Bank’s remodeled Adetokunbo Ademola branch, Victoria Island. The milestone initiative is scheduled to hit other locations across the country’s geopolitical zones in the coming months.
FirstBank says on its website that “The use of modern technology has become the “order of the day” and if you don’t join the party, you would be left hanging in the cold wondering why things don’t look different despite your inputs.
“As a leading financial inclusion service provider, FirstBank launched a fully automated branch in 2021, named the FirstBank Digital Xperience Centre (DXC).
“The DXC is a reinvention of digital banking solutions where customers are exposed to a seamless world-class banking experience as a self-service”
The CEO of FirstBank Dr. Adesola Adeduntan said ‘With our Digital Experience Centre, we have reiterated our role in pioneering leading innovative technology-driven solutions that are central to enriching the experience of our customers in carrying-out various transactions using state-of-the-art-facilities with ease and convenience. Our self-service branch exemplifies the future of banking in Nigeria, and we remain committed to putting You, our customers First”
The branch is built with a wide range of phased modern banking facilities which include humanoid robots equipped with the following:
- Video Banking and Artificial Intelligence (AI), taking on the role of branch staff.
- Teller Cash Recyclers (TCRs): Self-Service kiosks for non-financial transactions such as account update, ATM Card issuance, Fixed Deposit booking between N100,000.00 to N5,000,000.00.
- Fast Track (Contactless) ATMs; Interactive Smart Screen to ensure effective and comprehensive consultation with bank sales staff via remote video connection.
Other services include paperless/electronic forms designed to promote timely resolution of complaints, dispensing of account statements and account enquiry/management. Also, funds transfer, card services and management, cheque management, email and phone number update, ATM card and token hotlisting, amongst many other services are available.
