Access Bank at the weekend announced a partnered ship with Visa, the world leader in digital payments, to enhance the efficiency of cross-border business-to-business payments for the bank’s corporate, commercial and SME customers.
It hopes to achieve this by adopting the Visa B2B Connect payment platform that will allow Access Bank’s business customers send money to and from 110 countries worldwide faster, efficiently, and securely from Nigeria, facilitating seamless business operations.
This announcement, the bank said in a statement, signifies its “commitment to digital innovation and providing best-in-class services to SMEs and large corporate clients. The collaboration will enhance customer experience and develop commerce across various trading corridors by providing businesses with cross-border payment services that are cost-effective, efficient, reliable, and secure.”
Commenting on this, Victor Etuokwu, Deputy Managing Director, Access Bank said, “Access Bank has the vision to be the bank of first choice, offering innovative financial services, built on trust and driven by a passion for excellence. The partnership with Visa brings innovation to the forefront and provides our clients with the latest technology advancements to meet their changing needs.”
The Visa B2B Connect enrolment, he believes, “will help strengthen businesses in Nigeria by delivering fast, transparent, and secure payment services. The Bank’s participation in the Visa B2B Connect platform contributes to technology modernization and service excellence, enhancing Access Bank’s partnership with businesses in Nigeria.”
Also commenting on the partnership, the Head of Visa B2B Connect, CEMEA, Vishal Virmani, said, “With Access Bank’s addition to Visa B2B Connect, we are excited to launch the platform in Nigeria and West Africa to benefit businesses and the cross-border payments eco-system in the country. The solution supports digital innovation and increases efficiency for financial institutions and their corporate clients.”
Also commenting, Andrew Uaboi, General Manager Nigeria and Cluster Head of West Africa, Visa said “technology is bringing us closer together; yet, when it comes to small businesses and corporate clients moving money around the world, there are challenges that remain that haven’t been solved.
“As Access Bank join the Visa B2B Connect network in Nigeria, The Bank’s collaboration with Visa will help businesses in the country to send and receive international payments quickly and securely,” he stressed.